Alone again for Hari Raya

IPOH: Each of the 15 occupants at Pertubuhan Kebajikan Rumah Orang-Orang Tua Islam Titian Abadi (Pekita) is looking forward to a familiar face to turn up to celebrate Hari Raya with them.

However, after waiting in vain for several years now, many have accepted the fact that they will be spending the festive holidays at the premises.

With Ramadan coming to an end soon, 82-year-old Abu Bakar Datuk Marajo weeps at the thought of having to spend Hari Raya at Pekita, where he has been living for some years now.

"I have two children who live in Kuala Lumpur and it has been a long time since they came to see me.

"I was working at the construction site and have been staying at the mosque in Batu Gajah. I was taken here by my friends. I really want to see my children badly and I hope this year, they will come and visit me," he said.

Another resident, Zaiton Uda, 80, from Kampung Gajah, will also be spending her first Hari Raya at the senior centre.

"I was taken here by my brother as there was no one to look after me. I have two sons and I miss them very much. I want to see Syukri, my son.

"What wrong have I done for my children to treat me like this," he told reporters when met at Pekita in Taman Kinta Perdana here, today.

Home manager Zurina Alias said she hoped that family members and relatives of the residents, especially their children would come and visit them on Hari Raya.

"It is important to make them happy. Let them know that they are appreciated before it's too late," she pleaded.