THE ORCHID GARDEN
A special space for tributes to the most important women in our lives.
Mothers, grandmothers, nannies, teachers, friends – whoever they are, these are the women who inspire and guide us.
Also listed in The Orchid Garden are the women who have been honoured by organisations and publications in annual awards.
Jamila Abdul Karim
Recipient of the Jamiyah Exemplary Mother Award in 2014
It’s hard to imagine how anyone could ever go through so much discrimination, slapped with financial struggles and faced with endless strings of obstacles — only to overcome all these and move on towards a better life.
Growing up, the 53-year-old never knew what it was like to have a father figure presence in the family. Mdm Jamila’s father passed away when she was very young, leaving behind only little memories for her to hold on to and think about every now and then. What aggravated her life even more was a divorce that she never saw coming. Those were ‘tough times’ as she preferred to think of it as, but it was the demise of the sole breadwinner in the family that pushed her to where she is today.
In everything she does, Mdm Jamila puts in a 110% effort, sweat and soul so she could provide her daughters with something better, something good. Apart from running a food stall at Tekka Centre, Mdm Jamila is also a part-time seamstress. The struggles she went through only made Mdm Jamila more adamant that her daughters should lead comfortable lives. Hence, she made numerous sacrifices to ensure that they are provided with good education and will one day, Insya Allah, lead comfortable lives.
Today, she is a proud single mom with an extended family of five daughters, two son-in-laws and a grandson.
Official website
Jamila Abdul Karim
Recipient of the Jamiyah Exemplary Mother Award in 2014
It’s hard to imagine how anyone could ever go through so much discrimination, slapped with financial struggles and faced with endless strings of obstacles — only to overcome all these and move on towards a better life.
Growing up, the 53-year-old never knew what it was like to have a father figure presence in the family. Mdm Jamila’s father passed away when she was very young, leaving behind only little memories for her to hold on to and think about every now and then. What aggravated her life even more was a divorce that she never saw coming. Those were ‘tough times’ as she preferred to think of it as, but it was the demise of the sole breadwinner in the family that pushed her to where she is today.
In everything she does, Mdm Jamila puts in a 110% effort, sweat and soul so she could provide her daughters with something better, something good. Apart from running a food stall at Tekka Centre, Mdm Jamila is also a part-time seamstress. The struggles she went through only made Mdm Jamila more adamant that her daughters should lead comfortable lives. Hence, she made numerous sacrifices to ensure that they are provided with good education and will one day, Insya Allah, lead comfortable lives.
Today, she is a proud single mom with an extended family of five daughters, two son-in-laws and a grandson.
Official website
Profile last updated: 13th January 2018