GEORGE TOWN: Security guard Ganesh Soundarajah sits in his Proton Saga as his wife feeds their three daughters black coffee and bread by the field near Sepoy Lines Road.
The coffee is made with water from a public toilet, boiled over a portable camping stove, the bread is donated by a well-wisher and the well worn, 30-year-old Proton Saga is what the family of five call home. For the eight-month-old baby in the family, that car has been home all her life.
They have been forced to live in the car for the past eight months after a fire gutted their home in April. Since then, they have become nomads, shuttling from one public toilet to the other where they could at least have access to running water.
The 33-year-old Ganesh, his wife and three children, aged between eight months and six years, have no choice but to live in their car as they are unable to afford deposits for a room or a house, with most asking for RM800 to RM900 in advance.
Earning just RM1,200 as a night watchman at a school nearby, Ganesh parks his “mobile home” wherever there is a public toilet, moving from car parks near Gurney Drive, Polo Ground and the Esplanade.
At night, the car is parked outside the school he works in, so he can keep an eye on his family. The Proton car was a hand-me-down from his mother.
His wife Parameswari, 32, who only goes by one name, feeds her children black coffee and when times are better, white bread soaked in the coffee or warm water. The bread is donated by the “roti man” who passes by.
The water from the public toilet is heated over a RM30 portable camping stove. On a good day, he can even cook rice with some salt for seasoning or some instant noodles.
Laundry and daily showers are at the public toilet and clothes are dried on pavement poles.
Ganesh said their lives were better last year. They rented a kongsi (makeshift quarters) near the Campbell Street market here and he was a lorry driver, sending antique furniture as far as Johor Bahru from here, making RM1,700 a month.
Parameswari, an orphan, stayed home looking after the kids. Ganesh, the eldest of three siblings, had been estranged from his family some five years ago.
However, Ganesh was involved an accident last year, which left him with a broken left leg. He was unable to drive lorries like he used to as he could not climb into high cabins and move heavy items.
He then found his present job as a guard at a school. He refused an offer by the Penang Hindu Association (PHA) to place his family at a budget hotel, saying he’d rather have them near him.
Ganesh has applied to the Penang Housing Department for a rental flat, which would cost RM90 a month. However, the waiting list is very long and he is not likely to get one soon. He has applied for one and is still waiting.
In a press meet organised by PHA today, he did not sound optimistic. “When our house caught fire, many came to give food items and took photos, just like you all now. Then, everyone disappeared. All we wanted was a home. Can somebody help, please?” he pleaded.
Ganesh is hoping someone can help him start a small sundry shop business, which he has been eager to do for a long time, having transported vegetables and other produce during his lorry driving days.
Ganesh’s children, Girthikanesh, 6, Devi Shri, 3, appear to be oblivious to the family’s problems and are happy. The warmed up quickly to photographers who enticed them with chocolate wafers.
His youngest daughter, Kirthana Devi, aged eight months, was crying, with Parameswari saying she was not used to crowds. She has been living in the car since she was born.
“I’m so happy to see the children eating. I can only cry when the kids tell me I’m hungry and I have nothing to give,” said Ganesh.
Those who wish to help them may drop a WhatsApp message on FMT’s Helpline at 0193899839. Click here to Whatsapp us.