Too young to become a mother and too poor to care for her baby

Earlier last week a baby was admitted to Bintulu Hospital after suffering from what appear to be severe diaper rash.

Poor Alexander still an infant, diaper region – buttock, thigh and genital – was pinkness and visibly few raised bumps, an indication of diaper rash.

Her mother, Elizabeth told Serin Serina, she just couldn’t afford to buy baby diapers – thus the diaper rash.

According to her, they live as a squatter in a hut near Kidurong landfill – collecting whatever recyclable materials they could gather from the field to make a living.

“I felt very sad looking at her baby being admitted to hospital due to severe rashes,” Serin Serina initially posted.

Serin said out of empathy, then share her post at Bintulu News – a popular local newsgroup – hoping some good samaritans out there will help the family.

The heartfelt, moving nature of the family story – quickly viral and get a lot of attention on social media.

A local Facebook page called themselves Extrameal – led by Francis Ngu Hown Hua, quickly brought some goodies – diapers, food to the family who are still at Bintulu Hospital at the time of writing.

Francis Ngu said photos from the trip to Bintulu Hospital. Bintulu folks – as always are generous lots. After learning of the teenage mother story, aids quickly pour in.

They probably had more than enough diapers for baby Alexander to last for months according to Francis Ngu.

However, one pressing problem remain. The couple – Elizabeth, probably still in her early teen (she doesn’t know her age) and husband said to be around 40-years – couldn’t land a decent job – because they have no proper identification documents.

“They have no IC (identity card) making it difficult for them to secure a job,” said Alex Haikal of Terabai Menua a local Dayak Ngo – after visiting the family at Bintulu Hospital.

It was not immediately known if they have any immediate family members that could assist them in applying for the national identification documents.

Elizabeth told Alex she was hailed from Igan and that of her husband is unknown.

Probably out of fear, still too young becoming a mother and struggling to care for her new born baby – she didn’t tell them much said Alex.

However, Terabai Menua will try to help the family – especially securing the husband a better, regular paying job. - Bintulu.org