Single Mother Refuses To Give Up On Making A Living

She may not have a motorcycle like many food delivery riders, but that has never stopped Nur Rahimah Alia Salehuddin from working hard to provide for her child.

A single mother and a person with autism and a physical disability, Nur Rahimah has been delivering food by bicycle or on foot to make a living. At times, she has walked as far as 20 kilometres to complete deliveries.

“Even if I only get two or three hours of work, I’m already grateful. That is what I can do because there aren’t many delivery orders at the moment,” she said.

Her journey as a food delivery rider began in 2020 after she struggled to find suitable employment in her field. Before that, she had worked in information technology and software testing.

She left her job in 2018 to care for her mother, who passed away in 2020. After repeatedly trying to find another job, she eventually turned to food delivery as a way to earn an income.

Initially, Nur Rahimah made deliveries on foot before receiving a bicycle through a programme towards the end of 2020. However, that bicycle was recently stolen, forcing her to return to walking for deliveries.

She said she had locked her folding bicycle near the Surian MRT station, but when she returned, she discovered that the lock had been cut.

“I usually use a bicycle or walk to deliver food, but recently my folding bicycle was stolen, so I had to start walking again,” she said.

Despite the setbacks, Nur Rahimah continues to look for a permanent job that matches her qualifications and abilities while keeping up with food delivery work.

Her experience has also highlighted the challenges she faces as a person with autism. She was diagnosed while pursuing her diploma after experiencing bullying at campus in 2003.

She explained that autism can sometimes make it difficult for her to understand jokes, sarcasm or messages conveyed indirectly.

“I’m not unable to joke, but I find it difficult to understand the implied meaning behind what people say,” she said.

Nur Rahimah believes her disability may have contributed to some of the difficulties she has faced when seeking employment. She said she has been unsuccessful in finding a suitable permanent position despite having experience and qualifications, with some applications even rejected because she was considered overqualified.

For now, she continues to walk, cycle when she can and accept whatever delivery work is available.

Her story is not about delivering food. It is about a mother who keeps moving forward despite losing her job, caring for her family, facing rejection and even having her bicycle stolen.

Source / Image Credit : Gempak , Harian Metro