Audra Maryssa
Binte Hamblee, 10
About Audra
Since the age of 8, Audra has been a caregiver for her three younger siblings, handling responsibilities like cooking, feeding, bathing, and putting them to bed. What does she hope for most as she grows up?
Featured Caregiver:
Mother, Aminah Ahmad
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Dish of Choice:
Dadih (milk jelly)
Have a listen to Audra's reflection in this journey of documenting her mother making this dessert or read on in the transcript below.
Shiyun: I understand that you have quite a lot of responsibilities to take care of your siblings. When did you have to start taking care of your younger siblings?
Audra: For Aqis, I think about three years old I start taking care of her. Then for Rizqi… about one years old.
Shiyun: So what were some of your caregiving duties?
Audra: Switch their diapers, make for them food and mmm…
Shiyun: Make them go to sleep?
Audra: Yeah.
Shiyun: Make for them food… What sort of food do you make for them?
Audra: Porridge.
Shiyun: You make porridge?
Audra: Yeah.
Shiyun: Is it like those rice porridge you have to cook or those kind of cereal porridge?
Audra: Erm, like the rice porridge.
Shiyun: Rice porridge… that means you have been like maybe eight or nine years old, when you first had to take care of your siblings.
Audra: Yeah.
Shiyun: So you often eat just white porridge at home? Just you and your siblings. And you like it… you guys are okay with it. How often do you eat porridge?
Audra: Almost everyday.
Shiyun: Almost everyday… are you the one cooking the porridge?
Audra: My mum and me.
Shiyun: Is there other food your mum cook on a daily basis?
Audra: Maybe rice with egg.
Shiyun: Rice with egg like a fried egg? Sunny side-up with rice.
Audra: Yeah.
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Shiyun: So you guys eat very simple.
Audra: Yeah, if my mum cooks, then later nobody eat, then waste food.
Shiyun: Oh, it is because most of them don’t eat anyway. How about you?
Audra: I eat whatever my mum cooks.
Shiyun: You eat whatever she cooks.
Audra: Mmhmmm.
Shiyun: How did you decide to make this jelly dadih? Did you decide it on your own, or did you talk to your mum about it?
Audra: Talk to my mum and she said “okay can, but don’t take my picture”
Shiyun: Why did you guys choose dadih?
Audra: 'Cause it’s more easier and faster.
Shiyun: Easier and faster… you guys don’t have much time everyday?
Audra: Mmm.
Shiyun: What are you actually busy with the whole day?
Audra: With siblings and with my phone.
Shiyun: With siblings and with your phone… So let's say if you recall the whole day. You wake up at 1030(am), then what happens next?
Audra: We get out of bed then after that we go and shower. Sometimes it’s really hard for them to go to take a shower. Really takes them so long (time) to go to shower. And we have to check them.
Shiyun: What about your own time?
Audra: My own time? I play my phone and if they wake up, I have to make them go fall asleep back.
Shiyun: Make them fall asleep back… hmmm… Why?
Audra: 'Cause I want play my phone. (laughs)
Shiyun: So your whole day, you’re thinking of how to make your younger siblings fall asleep, so that you have your own time.
Shiyun: If you were to describe your mother, how would you describe her?
Audra: Very kind and nice. Erm… really patient. Because sometimes my siblings cry and cannot take it, and she has to be patient and make them stop crying.
Shiyun: Is there one particular experience that is very memorable with your mother?
Audra: I cannot remember.
Shiyun: Cannot remember? So it’s almost like everyday you guys spend a lot of time, but it’s a lot of housework and taking care of the younger siblings. How about for yourself? Is there a memorable experience you had growing up?
Audra: No.
Shiyun: Okay, how about this. Let’s not think about the family. Let’s think about yourself. Let’s say you have some hope for the future. What is one hope that you have for the future?
Audra: I want to be a teacher and then…
Shiyun: Would you want to start your own family?
Audra: Not sure.
Shiyun: No?
Audra: No
Shiyun: No, you wanna enjoy your own time.
Audra: Mm.
Shiyun: What is the thing that you really dislike doing everyday?
Audra: Throwing my cat poop and my sister when I have to clean her poop.
Shiyun: Cleaning the poop of small animals and small children at home.
Audra: Yeah.
Shiyun: So really, a lot of your daily life is about taking care of your family. But maybe it will get better two years later. So are you thinking about that? Just waiting for the kids to grow up, then you can find your own life.
Audra: Yeah.
