The sad story of Mohamed and his two children in Malaysia

Somali refugee Mohamed Farah Hussein’s world came crashing in November 2020 when his wife died, leaving him to care for their two young children.

“My wife was everything to me. I did not know anything about Malaysia when I arrived in 2015 and she guided me because she had arrived earlier than me.

“She gave me a place to stay and a bed to sleep in. Now, she is gone and I don’t have any support,” Farah told FMT.

His wife, Najma Bashir Mohamed, was a kindergarten teacher and also a refugee.

She became the sole breadwinner of the family after Farah, an electrician in his local Somali community, lost his customers because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Farah, 30, said life has gone downhill for his family since his wife’s death.
He is worried about being evicted from the small rented room where he and his children live. He does not know if he can pay the rent this month.

“When my wife died, I received RM1,700 from my Somali community. The money is all gone now. I spent it on rent and basic necessities for my children.

“At first, it was a little bearable as my landlord lowered my rent from RM400 to RM200, but now it is back up to RM400 and I can’t afford it any more.

“Soon, I’m going to be homeless with my children,” he said.

For food, Farah said he goes to the local convenience store to get a loaf of bread and two eggs.

“The furthest I have ventured out is to the convenience store right below my apartment complex. As a refugee, I fear that the police might catch me and my kids will be left alone at home.

“They do not have anyone else besides me. I have to do everything I can to protect them and ensure that they are safe,” he said.