KUALA LUMPUR: Actress and mother of four Norish Karman adopted four additional children during the Covid-19 pandemic four years ago.
They have adapted well to their new family and get along great with their newfound siblings from Norish's previous marriage.
In a recent interview with the podcast Tanah Berdaulat TV, Singapore-born Norish whose real name is Nor'Ashikin Karman said that she decided to take the four underprivileged youngsters under her wings, as they had "no place to call home".
"In June 2020, the Social Welfare Department contacted me, and sought help to look after these four children.
"They were the children of a single mother who had been jailed for drug possession and was undergoing rehabilitation for drug addiction.
"I felt very sorry for them, and decided to give them a roof over their heads," said Norish who is best known for starring in the 1990s movie Sayang Salmah and the 2000s drama series Spa Q.
In fact Norish's four biological children encouraged her to adopt them, for it would be a "blessing from God" to do so.
Norish, 50, said that the four children were found at a Felda settlement in Kuala Kepis, Kuala Pilah, Negri Sembilan and they looked undernourished.
"They're a lot healthier and happier now. Initially they were rather shy and somewhat scared, but they soon bonded with my four older children," said Norish.
"I'm so happy that they have adapted well as part of their newfound family. All of my eight children are now inseparable."
Norish's adopted children are Hasbi Fadullah, 13, Hasya Farahiya, 11, Haziq Fadillah, 10 and Hazra Farisya, 5.
Her biological children, from her previous marriage to businessman Datuk Hashimuddin Abdul Kadir between 1998 and 2008 are Muhammad Haqiem Amany, 25, Muhammad Hady Amieran, 21, Nur Hanyz Amanda, 20 and Haq Alexander, 13.