Kamarul Zaman has been sleeping on the streets for the past two years. After falling out with his mother three years ago, he ran away to Kuala Lumpur from his hometown in Kelantan. For the first year, he would do the odd job helping traders in the wet market to earn a meagre living. Everything was normal until Kamarul fell ill, and was diagnosed with tuberculosis and breathing problems. As a result, he stopped working and became homeless. His condition gradually deteriorated from then on.

On 18 July 2010, we found Kamarul sleeping in the corridor of a shoplot during one of our regular food distribution rounds. He appeared to be very sick and complained of a fever, breathing difficulties and back pain. We quickly called an ambulance and he was admitted into Hospital Kuala Lumpur for three days. Doctors there diagnosed him to be suffering from tuberculosis and chronic asthma as well as a lung infection.

Kamarul was very grateful for the kindness shown by Kechara Soup Kitchen (KSK) and our volunteers in helping to care for him during the most difficult periods in his life. He spoke of his regret for leaving his home three years ago, and said he wanted to go back to be reunited with his mother and family. Kamarul also confessed to being a former drug addict, but said he has been clean since he was discharged from a rehabilitation centre a few months ago.

Kamarul was discharged from the hospital a few days after he was admitted, and was transferred into a budget hotel to recuperate whilst we made arrangements to send him home. On Tuesday morning, KSK volunteers gathered to send him off at the bus station. Kamarul said he was very excited at the prospect of seeing his mother at the bus station in Kota Bharu, thanked KSK and said he would not forget what KSK has done for him.

KSK wishes Kamarul all the best in his future undertakings!

Kamarul admitted into hospital

Kamarul in his room

Kamarul with Julia in the bus before heading home

Kamarul bidding farewell