KUALA LUMPUR: A daughter of a visually impaired couple is now a step closer to achieving her dream of becoming an eye doctor to help others in the same plight.
“My mum and dad can’t see, so I would like to become an eye doctor to help others who need eye treatment,” said Aliah Maisarah Md Akir, 13, who scored six A’s in the UPSR.
Aliah was one of 500 students who are disabled, orphaned or come from poor families to be given scholarships to study at the Mara Junior Science College (MRSM).
The girl often has to divide time between her studies and housework.
“When I come home from school, I would just do some revision so that I don’t forget. This gives me enough time to help my mum with cooking and other chores.
“Actually, I don’t study much when I get home but I make sure I’m focused when I am in school,” she said.
“Even though my mum and dad are disabled, this has never been a problem. I want to study hard and do well to make my parents proud.”
Aliah said she looked forward to be enrolled at MRSM Alor Gajah.
“The facilities are complete and the atmosphere looks fun,” she added.
Aliah’s father Md Akir Jaidin, 50, said he was thrilled with his daughter’s achievements.
“She is like any other child who likes to watch TV and play with her friends. But when it’s time to study, she is fully focused,” he said of the youngest of his three daughters.
Md Akir, who is a telephonist at Menara Star, said it had not been easy raising the children.
“There will always be problems. The important thing is that if there is a will, there is a way to solve them,” he said.
Yesterday, Aliah received the MRSM offer letter from Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Ismail Sabri said Aliah proved that having visually impaired parents was no obstacle to scoring straight A’s.
“She is a role model for other students. Even though her parents are blind and she may have less time to study as she has to help them, she still succeeded,” he said.