A former drug addict who is now helping others kick the habit and also feeding those who are jobless and homeless is calling on employers to give such individuals a second chance. Wan Kamariah Daud, 68, popularly known as Mak Wan, told theSun she had been a drug addict for 40 years and during that time, she went in and out of prison and rehabilitation centres for some 10 years.
“I have been clean and not touched drugs for some years now. But as a former drug addict, I know the pain, lack of self-worth and insecurity that drug addicts often feel. “This is why I established Warung Makan Sahabat (WMS) in Jalan Raja Laut during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 to help the homeless and drug addicts have access to free food.
“During the pandemic, we provided 600 packets of food daily for those in need. Now, we provide 150 packets for breakfast and another 150 for lunch.” She said WMS collaborates with the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry and the Selangor Social Welfare Department.
“The number of homeless and jobless in Chow Kit is large and most of them do not have a basic income or jobs.”
(Pic) Mak Wan distributing food at her station in Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur. SYAZWAN KAMAL THESUN
