Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim recently took to social media to share a heartwarming story of how he was able to help a woman fulfill her dreams of being a doctor.
The post has since touched many hearts, where it garnered 18,000 reactions at the time of writing.
Received desperate plea for help
In the post, Sim wrote he first heard of Saundarya’s plight when she wrote a letter to him asking for urgent help in paying her university fees worth thousands of Ringgit, which she only had a few days to do so.
She added that if she failed to pay on time, she would be barred from sitting for her final exam and thus be unable to fulfil her dream of becoming a doctor.
Sim later visited Saundarya’s family and was told by her father that he worked as a lorry driver, while his own father was a rubber tapper.
Paid off university fees
Filled with compassion for the family, Sim decided to pay off the fee so that Saundarya didn’t have to worry about it anymore.
After five years of hard work, sweat, and tears, today Saundarya finally bears the title of “Doctor.”
“I was deeply honored to be invited by her family to attend Dr. Saundarya’s convocation. Not only did she graduate, but she also received the outstanding student medal and was awarded the Dean’s List Award three times,” he wrote in the post.
To celebrate her graduation, Sim gifted Saundarya an Apple watch, much to her surprise.
Saundarya’s father, who was also present at his daughter’s convocation, was deeply emotional and thanked Sim for giving the family hope when they thought it was all gone.
‘Don’t forget your roots’
Sim added that Saundarya will officially begin her duties at a hospital in Penang next week and had some words of advice to impart to her.
“Always remember your parents’ sacrifices. And when you wears that white coat, you must always do your utmost to help those in need.
“When you meet patients from underprivileged backgrounds, remember the tiny rented room where you studied, and the bread and Maggi that kept you company at night. Treat them not just with knowledge, but with heart.
“The world needs doctors who are not only smart, but also compassionate.”
This isn’t the first time Sim had gone out of his way to help underprivileged M’sians:
