SEREMBAN, Malaysia: SPM candidate Maragatha Ambiga wakes up at 3am to tap rubber for three hours before rushing to school.

This is what the Fifth Former, 16, has been doing since her parents fell ill in August last year.

She would ride a motorcycle to the 4.6ha rubber estate in Bukit Jalor, about 10km away, and help a neighbour tap rubber for three hours before returning home at 6am.

She would then clean up and head to SM Bukit Jalor which is 3km away.

She gets RM20 (S$8.46) a day tapping the rubber. If it rains, she would not get any money.

Her mother V. Tamil Shelvy, 42, became asthmatic in August last year and was unable to work.

Her father P. Ramasamy, 48, was a lorry driver before joining his wife to tap rubber.

He also had to stop working because he is a diabetic and has high blood pressure and heart problem.

She has a brother, Suriya, 10, who is studying in a Tamil primary school.

Ambiga's plight was brought to the attention of Negri Sembilan MIC chairman Datuk T. Rajagopalu who visited the family in Taman Air Kuning Selatan, near Gemen-cheh about 75km from here.

Tamil Shelvy said her daughter's rubber tapping provides the only source of income for the family in addition to the RM200 welfare assistance for the children's schooling.

She said that her family members had refused to help her out and instead, had asked her to get her daughter married off.

"I want my daughter to study hard and be somebody in life.

"I have confidence in her," she said.

Ambiga, who is currently sitting for her Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations, said she had to work for the sake of her family.

"I am confident of passing and hope to secure a place to attend teacher training course as I want to become a teacher," she said.

Rajagopalu said he would assist the children with their education.

He had also made arrangement for Ambiga's parents to receive treatment at Seremban Hospital and for a contractor to do some repairs to their house.

Those who want to contribute can send cheques to the Maragatha Ambiga Fund, c/o Negeri Sembilan MIC, Jalan Tuanku Antah, 70000 Seremban or contact Rajagopalu at 019-6612337 or 06-7622609 or Tampin MIC division chairman R. Rajendran 013-3532526.