Family seeks help to stay afloat and pursue dreams

PETALING JAYA: A year ago, the nation rallied around a man left partially paralysed by a devastating stroke.

Responding to his story of despair on FMT, well-wishers put together more than RM64,000 to help him and his family through a difficult period.

But for Mohanram Atchuthan, 63, and his four children, it is still a rocky road ahead.

His eldest child, Sethu, is currently pursuing a degree in Business Management at Sunway University on a Kuok Foundation scholarship and the second son Shashekiran, is hoping to continue with his architectural studies at the tertiary level.

However, the family needs to raise more funds to not only cover the two sons’ academic pursuits but also to meet daily expenses.

At a recent catch-up with FMT, Shashekiran, 23, said the family needs at least RM3,600 per month to cover their immediate needs such as rental, utilities, sundries and medical expenses for his father.

Over and above that is the cost of seeing the two sons through university and their younger children — a boy and a girl — through school.

As a result of the stroke, Mohanram now struggles to speak or even remember things, rendering him unable to support his family. His wife Ananti David is his full-time care provider.

FMT’s story last year struck a chord nationwide, leading many well-wishers to step forward with donations, channelled through Suriana Welfare Society Malaysia, for the family’s benefit.

That support had not only helped to keep a household above water but also lit the path to a better future for the family.

Reflecting on his own struggles, Shashekiran recalled how fate had dealt him a severe blow just as he finished his SPM in 2021. “Covid took away my motivation.”

Like many young Malaysians emerging from the pandemic, he found himself adrift. But guided by his parents and driven by a love for design, he chose to pursue architecture, a decision that would test not only his abilities, but his endurance.

Despite the emotional strain left by his father’s illness in 2022, Shashekiran excelled academically, earning a CGPA of 3.9. He began his internship at Universiti Malaya yesterday, and hopes to pursue a full degree in architecture there.

But with no stable income at home, and siblings still in school, Shashekiran was forced to step away from his studies.

“I worked various part-time jobs before eventually joining Burger King,” he said. “People would ask me why I was not continuing my studies. Those conversations gave me hope.”

That hope turned into reality in 2024 when he received an offer to pursue a Diploma in Architecture at Ungku Omar Polytechnic. It was an opportunity, but one his family could scarcely afford.

“At that time, nobody in my family had a stable income, if I left for college, there would be almost no financial support left at home.”

Help later came from his father’s friend, whose financial support enabled him to pursue his studies. But even then, the path remained steep.

For instance, with no money to acquire one of his own, he had to borrow his coursemate’s laptop to complete his assignments.

When his father’s friend retired, the family lost a crucial source of funds. Fortunately, FMT columnist Ravindran Raman Kutty came to the rescue.

Through his efforts and FMT’s continued advocacy, the family was connected to a broader network of care.

“Ravindran, gave us new hope. He even provided me with a new laptop,” Shashekiran told FMT.

The financial contributions gave the family a lifeline, and enabled Shashekiran to renew his focus on his education.

He began producing some of the best design work in his cohort, participated in competitions, and was selected to represent his polytechnic in a Persatuan Arkitek Malaysia competition.

With Sethu also at university and his younger brother just completing his SPM and hoping to also continue his studies, the family is hard pressed for more financial aid.

The donations collected last year is expected to run out by October 2026.

The Atchuthan family’s situation underscores a broader reality: while emergency aid can stabilise lives, sustained support is often what determines whether families truly recover or fall back into crisis.

For them, it would mean the two elder children get to finish their tertiary education while a path is laid for the younger children to do the same.

“My journey has never been easy,” Shashekiran said. “But every struggle taught me resilience. I believed that one day all of these sacrifices will lead me towards a better future for my family and I.”

The future is in the hands of Shashekiran and his family, and with a little help from others, there may finally be a ray of hope.

If you wish to help, kindly send your donations to Suriana Welfare Society Malaysia’s Maybank account 5123 6150 5370 or contact 1300 88 2000 or 012-2114444.