Month: April 2012
Quintuplets beat odds to clear Grade 10 exams – My letters
Family of five survive on leftovers from weddings
Family of five survive on leftovers from weddings
- By Rayeesa Absal, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:00 April 25, 2012
In a place where food wastage is come across too often, the Indian family of five is determined to fight against the odds to survive, they said, but they don’t deny having had second thoughts. The father, Mohammad (full name withheld to protect privacy), confesses that the thought of suicide has crossed his mind several times.
Crying inconsolably, covering his face tightly with his hands, he said that his little one, who is always clinging on to him, is probably the reason he hasn’t gone that far.
“My three daughters, aged nine, seven and two push me to keep trying my best to survive,” he said.
Whenever kind-hearted neighbours, some of whom are working at the wedding hall itself, inform them about a wedding taking place, the entire family waits until about 11pm or midnight — when the celebrations usually come to an end — and then go to the hall to collect leftover food, with the permission of the workers.
“Mostly it is camel meat and rice and other food items we get. We freeze the food in plastic bags, write the date on the bags and ration it out over the week, until there is another wedding,” said Mohammad, 41, who hails from Kerala in India.
“It felt a better option than letting the kids starve,” his wife, added.
Speaking to Gulf News at their home in Al Ain, the family said that they have been struggling financially for some time now. Mohammad has been in the UAE for 16 years, doing interior decoration jobs in households while his family used to live in India.
Like many expatriate workers he missed his family, but could not afford to bring them here. Then some tormenting family issues back home, forced his wife to attempt suicide as she slashed her wrist. Fortunately, she did not succeed, but Mohammad knew he had to bring his family to stay with him to avoid such situations from recurring, he said.
But problems for him began when he decided to be part of a plan of his ‘trusted friend’ to set up a small business. The so-called friend took off with the money, leaving Mohammad indebted to the loan shark. He ended up in prison but his Emirati sponsor managed to get him out of jail after reaching a compromise with the loan shark.
“Now I pay him [the loan shark] Dh1,000 every month out of the Dh1,300 I earn monthly from my sponsor. The remaining is hardly enough to pay even the school fees, let alone grocery,” he said.
Their house, an almost dilapidated extension of a villa, belonging to their house owner, reflects their plight. The only room of the house has a bed with no mattress on one side, a broken air conditioner and a wardrobe with no doors. Torn uniforms and schools bags are tucked away under the bed.
“It is hardest for the children,” Mohammad’s wife said. “Their friends make fun of them at school, about the shabby clothes their father wears. They feel very ashamed.”
A worker from a nearby home, provides them with goat milk and eggs occasionally, she said.
Sigh of relief
The family can now heave a sigh of relief as a charity organisation, Valley of Love (VOL), has taken up their case. The volunteers are helping us sort out our issue — one at a time. They spoke to the school, who then donated [a] few uniforms. We are hopeful of things taking a turn for the better,” Mohammad said.
VOL volunteer Joseph Bobby said that the plight of the family is probably the worst one he has seen in years of working as a volunteer. “There is no use of sympathising after a person commits suicide, rather the community should help when there is still time.” The recent spate of suicides are what prompted VOL to focus on such cases, he said. Most would have given up long before, but they are brave enough to fight it out, added Bobby
To help Mohammad and his family, please contact Joseph Bobby, volunteer of the Valley of Love, on 055 3370044.
Photo speaks – Don’t hit me from the back
Photo Speaks – View from far and high
I watched from my apartment window this monkey sitting and himself watching what’s happening around. From far and a height, while his friends played around, or searched food or whatever. It was quite relaxed for a very long time and just enjoyed.
I felt, what a good idea, have to try learning doing it.
Photo speaks – Train travel
A train arriving at Irinjalakuda railway station. It is really a special feeling to wait for the train, listen to the bell signalling the arrival of the train, then the special bell followed by the closing of the railway gate. The rush of passengers running for tickets just before the arrival of the train. The anxiety of finding the compartment position. Then here it comes with continuous honking of its loud horn. And there jumps the tea wallas, the passengers, the porters in and out. All happens within minutes and once again, it departs with loud horn and curious passengers looking outside to see the scenary or random beauty around, while those in trying to get a seat or settle themseleves in for the rest of the journey.
Photo Speaks – A bee sucking honey
സൂക്ഷിക്കുക – ഇവര് തിരക്കിലാണ്, ഇവരെ കൊണ്ട് നടക്കുന്നവര് അതിലേറെ
Need to clean up – Gulf News Community Report Dt. 5 April 2012
Need to clean up
- By Ramesh Menon, Gulf News Reader
- Published: 00:00 April 5, 2012
While on a walk in the prominent Tourist Club Area in Abu Dhabi, I was astonished to see this site of a transformer station being callously transformed into a waste disposal ground.
What made me more worried was the fact that this accumulated waste would not have happened within a day or two. This calls out the careless attitude of several parties. First and foremost, those who take away tea and other drinks from numerous restaurants and groceries throw away paper cups in this area.
Secondly, to the Abu Dhabi authorities responsible for maintaining this station, and other such stations to keep it safe. Thirdly, to the Abu Dhabi municipality cleaning staff and supervisors responsible for cleaning and clearing such waste. Considering the fact that this station in in a heavily populated location, what would happen if a careless smoker throws a lighted cigarette in that area?
Apart from fire hazards and hygiene issues, due to heavy wind, these waste items are likely to get stuck in the ducts of the transformer, reducing its performance capabilities.
I hope such a thing does not happen.
Authorities, kindly take necessary initiatives to keep the transformer areas safe by way of high wire meshes protecting it so that no inflammable waste material could be thrown into the open spaces surrounding transformers. Secondly, please fine those who litter and make such volatile areas more dangerous.
— The reader is a technical officer and resident of Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, please visit GULF NEWS Online