Lend a hand: Trust account secretary Lee Thuan Chye (in green) asking for another RM7,000 needed to sustain the trust fund that was set up to care for the Woo triplets until they turn 18 in 2026. Here they are pictured at Block 354 in Gat Lebuh Macallum, Penang. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: Fifteen years ago, a set of triplets nearly had to be given up for adoption from the day they were born as their parents were too poor to raise three babies then.
But the Woo triplets are still together as a family now, thanks to Malaysians who generously pitched in to help with their expenses. Their Indonesian mother, who is identified only as Ely, said she feels immense gratitude to those who contributed to the fund for her children.
“Otherwise, I would not have known how I was going to manage. It has been wonderful to be able to watch them grow into young adults,” said Ely, 45.
“My children are most important to me. I want the best life for them,” she said, adding that the donations went towards their food, pocket money, books, school expenses and other needs.
Ely, who works as a housekeeper, is the sole breadwinner now. Her husband is 72 years old.
“Sometimes there is enough, but when there isn’t, we manage. It is normal and we know how to make do,” she said.
Ely said her focus is on their education and making sure that they can be independent.
“Time has flown as I remember them being babies and now they are 15. It is nice to hear that they have ambitions,” she said.
Of the triplets, Yen Fong dreams of becoming a flight attendant. Her brother Yu Keong wants to be an accountant while another brother Yu Fook has not decided. The triplets look up to their older brother Yu Beng, 19, who tutors them and helps them with homework.
“I try my best to help them, especially with Maths and English, and I want to set a good example when it comes to studies. It helps that I am always home unless I have classes on campus,” he said.
The trust fund that was set up in 2008 to help the triplets when they were born is short of RM7,000 to reach its target of RM30,000, which is enough to sustain them till they turn 18 in 2026.
Woo Kwee Fatt Trust account secretary Lee Thuan Chye said the fund currently has RM23,380 which was donated by kind Malaysians over the years. The family is given RM1,000 a month for daily expenses and educational needs of the triplets.
“If we reach the RM30,000 target, we need not raise any more funds. I promised to take care of them until they are 18, and I will fulfil this promise,” he said when met at the triplets’ home recently.
Having watched them grow up, Lee said he is pleased with the way the triplets were raised and expressed joy that the community had stepped in to help the family keep the siblings.
“They never ask for much and even when we go out to celebrate their birthdays, they are modest and well-mannered. I want to do the best for them and while I want to look into education funds for them, for now, we just want to make sure they’ll be okay for the next three years,” he said, adding that their mother earns about RM1,500 as a housekeeper monthly.
This is not enough for all five children, Lee said, as the Woo family has two older children besides the triplets. He also said he had helped raise funds to buy a computer for the eldest son who has excelled in his studies and received a full scholarship.
If you would like to contribute, cheques can be made out to the Woo Kwee Fatt Trust (Account no: 7019553282, CIMB Bank).
