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The life of ‘Caca’
03 Jan 2015 — In the heart of Kuala Lumpur, there is a tiny house. Wood and boxes are used to patch up the dirty house. There is no water and electricity. The house is dubbed a ‘Rumah Tampal’. It may not be a home for many of us but it serves as a shelter for junkies, ex-junkies and a disabled person. And among its inhabitants is a little girl, who is the subject of The Malaysian Insider photographer Nazir Sufari’s photo essay. Nurchinta Ilyasya Roslan is also known as ‘Caca’. Her parents, who were homeless, are in jail for drug trafficking. Caca was left alone and brought to Rumah Tampal by a family friend. ‘Caca’ is now temporarily under the care of Yayasan Salam Malaysia.
This is Caca, who is 6. She is still new to the Baitu Amal homeless children care centre run by Yayasan Salam Malaysia in Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, January 3, 2015.
‘Rumah Tampal’, a decrepit ‘home’, is surrounded by high-rise buildings in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, January 3, 3015.
Caca’s parents are in jail, leaving her with Zara, 7, the only friend to play with in Rumah Tampal but Zara is often with her mother. They live in the house, too. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, January 3, 2015.
Nurchinta Ilyasya Roslan’s birth certificate. The child is known as Caca. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, January 3, 2015.
Caca crying after a quarrel with Zara. She has no one to comfort her. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, January 3, 2015.
Some of Caca’s toys which provide temporary distraction. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, January 3, 2015.
Caca has a kitten who provides some companionship. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, January 3, 2015.
Caca resting in her room in 'Rumah Tampal'. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, January 3, 2015.
Slippers belonging to inhabitants of ‘Rumah Tampal’. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, January 3, 2015.
Caca sometimes follows Zara and her mother while they collect books and other recyclable items. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, January 3, 2015.
On a lucky day, they stumble on a set of colouring pencils. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, January 3, 2015.
Caca is keen to learn to read and write. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, January 3, 2015.
Caca has no one else to turn to, except other drifters in ‘Rumah Tampal’. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, January 3, 2015.
The decrepit condition of ‘Rumah Tampal’ makes it an unsuitable place for a growing child. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, January 3, 2015.
Caca often falls ill because of the unhygienic condition in ‘Rumah Tampal’. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, January 3, 2015.
Caca resting on a dirty mattress. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, January 3, 2015.
At 6, Caca only cares about food, play and rest. She has no idea what the future holds. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, January 3, 2015.
Under the care of Pusat Jagaan Baitul Amal, Caca is now ensured of four meals a day. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, January 3, 2015.
In the shadow of the gleaming Kuala Lumpur twin towers lies a hidden life of misery. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, January 3, 2015.
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