Home’s super mum feted
By YENG AI CHUN
It was a heart-breaking moment for Norlina Alawi when one of her ‘children’ died in her arms in August last year from HIV/AIDS.
This year, another child in her brood is dying. Amir has full blown AIDS but he is still with us and I am thankful for that. Now, I only give him vitamin supplements and lots of love,” said Norlina at the Malaysia Airports (Niaga) Sdn Bhd or more commonly known as Eraman Malaysia, Mother’s Day celebration.
Eraman and its employees celebrated Mother’s Day with Norlina and 50 of her children at the Cosmos World Theme Park in Berjaya Times Square.
Norlina, who set up a home called Persatuan Kebajikan Anak-Anak Pesakit HIV/AIDS Nurul Iman Malaysia (Pernim) to specifically look after children of HIV and AIDS patients, has adopted 43 children and two grandchildren ranging from four months old to 26 years old, in addition to her own seven children.
Norlina has her own boutique and catering business to fund the home which was set up in 2004.
She said all her children live as one big family under one roof. She and her husband would personally send each of them to school and take care of them as their own children.
“I love them like my own children. And it is a great treat for them spend the day in a theme park. I am very grateful and thankful to Eraman,” she said tearfully.
Amir Hamzah Azahan, 10, was also present at the event, was seen enjoying himself with his ‘siblings’ and tucked in the food with much gusto.
Eraman Advertising and Promotions division head Bob Lee said it was an annual affair for the company to hold a Mother’s Day celebration with an organisation or welfare home.
“We had previous celebrations at an old folks’ home and also at a maternity ward in Hospital Kuala Lumpur.
“Eraman takes a different approach every year and this year, we decided to spend some time with the children from Pernim who have been abandoned by their parents or who are orphans,” he said.
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