MALAYSIANSKINI | Seven years ago, retired editor Sheila Rahman Natarajan noticed a group of young children who were stragglers in her neighbourhood playground. Then aged between four and 11, the five siblings seemed not to be studying or under any adult supervision.

While some might have just lamented the unfortunate situation, Sheila and her neighbours didn’t sit still. They learned that the five children had a Malaysian father but that their Indonesian mother had left the family.

Furthermore, they lacked the proper documentation to ensure access to studies, healthcare and other basic needs.

Sheila and her neighbours offered to look after the children while their father was at work. Over time, it became a community effort as they eventually got involved in their education and even engaged in the legal process of trying to help them sort out their citizenship. One method was even for their biological father to formally adopt them.

Currently, their citizenship application is still pending and Sheila and her husband Abdul Rahman Ishak are hoping that the newfound urgency in processing stateless cases will bear fruit so that these children do not have to grow up as outsiders in their own home.

On Oct 31, the veteran journalist was awarded the National Press Club-MacroKiosk Muhibbah Award for making a difference in the lives of these children. She told Malaysiakini in her own words about what a special journey it has been … and still is.