DESPITE her old age, 58-year-old Seaqaqa grandmother Mir Wati has opted for cane cutting jobs this season for the sake of her grandchildren's education.
Ms Wati who has been a widow for the past 22 years and looked after her grandchildren alone for the past eight years is determined to give them the best in their studies.
She receives monetary support of $90 from the Social Welfare Department every month and they have depended on this support to buy food, pay bills and support her three grandchildren — one in Form Three, one in Class Six and the youngest in Class Two — attending Seaqaqa Primary School.
Ms Wati said her daughter had left her children and she has been cutting cane and doing small domestic jobs throughout the neighbourhood to support her three grandchildren.
"At times, when I am working under the hot sun cutting or planting cane, I tell myself that I will never give up on my grandchildren as I am their only hope," Ms Wati said.
"For their sake, I need to give in my extra effort and I know for a thing that all this toil will be worth it in the end.
"The money we receive from the Social Welfare is a small amount compared to the urgent needs of my grandchildren and I am worried that at this age, my strength is starting to decline and I am scared of not being able to support my grandchildren.
"I appeal to the public to aid me in any way as I continue to support my grandchildren.
"I know there are good people out there who are willing to help an old woman like me to support my beloved grandchildren," she said.