Sarimah was a normal 'kampung' girl who had a normal upbringing. She worked hard at school and also in her father's paddy field. She was a top student in her class.
Unfortunately, her father suffered a heart attack and was confined to their home, unable to tend the field. Her six siblings, three boys and three girls were too young to understand. Sarimah knew by the look on her mother face that she would have to take over. At the young age of 11 she decided that she would not let her family suffer poverty. She forget ahead with the harvest made sure the livestock was well fed.
She got help from the local Mardi and Felda officers who gave her the financial and practical backing. Despite her busy and complicated life, she still managed to continue with her schoolworks. Her mother sold cake and tended to the fruit orchard that supplemented their income in the dry season. As she worked, Sarimah dint neglect her siblings. She paid a kind teacher in her village some money to tutor them. She started selling handicrafts obtained from the local villagers at the weekends night market in KL.There were times when she would cry herself to sleep.
Soon she could manage the farm, orchard and her studies as she had engage some Siamese odd jobbers to tend to her field. This gave herself to study and look after the family. Her business evolved and she managed to study agribusiness in UPM. Neverthelss she returned to the village and saw her siblings through college. Today, all of them have successful career of their own. Her father and mother now live at a simple but comfortable life.
Sarimah today is happily married and have 3 childrens of her own. As she looks back on her past she cant help but wonder how she get the strength and resolve to do all thea she did. She said to me once,'I am amazed at what people can achieve when they are forced to.' Sarimah actually is my causin, i went to visit her last week. I'm curious enough with her family story because my father told me before the her life is very hard when she was young. She shared with me.
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