A family in Perak was left in tears as they said goodbye to five young siblings, aged 5 to 16, who have been sent to an orphanage following the death of their father and the departure of their mother.
According to Sin Chew Daily, the siblings’ older sister, 18, works at a restaurant in Ipoh earning RM1,700 a month, but her income was insufficient to support the five children living in a crowded home alongside three elderly aunts.
The father, Xie Chengyou, was a fisherman who passed away suddenly on December 9 after an accident while sending his youngest son to school. Their mother, Vietnamese national Tang Di, had left for Vietnam earlier in April 2024 after a dispute and returned briefly before leaving again, unable to care for the children.
Relatives said the siblings had been sleeping together in a small, cluttered room, and despite their challenging circumstances, they remained close.
Faced with no alternative, the family sent the children to Anshun Jaz Home in Perak to ensure they receive proper care and education. Relatives wept as they helped the children pack their belongings for the move.
One of the siblings told Sin Chew Daily that while he was scared of living in an orphanage, he was willing to start anew alongside his brothers and sisters.
