26 January 2012

Pakcik reminisces (Pt 23a ) - A milestone in time


Weary of a possibility that this entry might be construed as an attempt to highlight self importance, Pakcik will have to be as brief as possible.

I cannot help waking up to the reality that this year marks an important milestone in my journey through time. Twenty years ago Pakcik had to vacate a cosy chair with an employer that I had been closely associated with for thirty five years of my life. I owe them my tertiary education and I owe them material gains and experience in building the life of my family. At the end of that milestone we were gratified to witness our three birds leaving their nest, and the two of us left contented to begin unhindered the final part of our journey. That was 30 years ago.

We were ready for our ‘hijrah’; in location, modes of living, devoid of clubs and partying, and, above all, the activities which preoccupy. Sadly we had to part with many very close friends and relatives, including our own children.

Two years later I chose a new career, one which the pair of these old birds would not expect any material gains. And now, eighteen years past the bridge in time, we are happy that, without any lingering doubts, we had Almanar launched. In its humble way Almanar shares the pride of seeing some deserving children from this small community progressing ahead in education, one that could bring gains to their respective families; as briefly sketched in our ‘End of the Tunnel’ series.

The very recent siting of a home for orphans and children of needy families by the authority has presented Almanar a new challenge. The present number of children living in this new home, a stone’s throw away, is about 80 children and very soon it will increase to about 100. Sadly, these children, resulted from shortcomings in years of upbringing them, have little inclination towards education. This is an added challenge which Pakcik have neither time nor expertise to deal with.

It is very fortunate that we have been offered an opportunity to open a discussion with representives from a university with the view of implementing a small project loosely called ‘transfer of knowledge from university to community’. I am hoping against hope that a new era will open in a not-too-distant future when members from that university will make programmed visits to Almanar to deal with motivation aspects of these children. It will surely mark a new milestone in time for Almanar.

On a slightly wider perspective, if the above-mentioned project truly gets underway successfully, I would like schools around us to take advantage of this new university-Almanar venture; instead of the current tendency among certain groups in the schools to look with scorn and doubts at what benefits Almanar could offer to their pupils.

Berkhidmat kerana Tuhan untuk kemanusiaan

18 comments:

Cat-from-Sydney said...

Dear Pakcik,
We hope this collaboration will bear fruit soon. Sometimes, it doesn't take much to encourage these young kids, as long as the activities can pique their interest. Mama and her alumni had done such activities in the past, motivating kids deemed "poor" by the ministry. purrr...meow!

Pak Idrus said...

Hassan, To me your contributions especially in education is priceless and as far as I am concern you are doing a wonderful jobs there.

It is the giving that is more important than the receiving. Others may have other view of self interest but your passion in your endeavor to me is commendable.

We, Asmah and I are glad to have met you and your spouse in person. You are doing a wonderful service to the community there, so do carry on and be happy with it.

Have a nice day.

kaykuala said...

Dear Pak Cik,
This University-AlManar collaboration will invariably bring the whole concept of AlManar activities to a higher level. I'd wish it'll happen very soon.If I may make a suggestion.

We have been privileged to have been through the 'English' stream before. We lament the fact that our current generation is 'weak in English' If this premise is accepted what are the possibilities of giving your students the education that we went through.The University people can definitely give inputs on this.In time AlManar will be a beacon of English education. Presently rich parents send their children overseas or to S'pore or International Schools locally. AlManar can make a difference to the deprived and underprivileged by extending them the education which only the rich can afford right here in Trengganu.

Given the chorus of pleadings to have Maths and Science in English total English will be more than welcomed by the majority of parents.This now appears easier said than done but a journey of a 1000 miles start with the first step, certainly!

Hank

Al-Manar said...

C-f-S,

I wish I had your experience and that of your alumni. Here we have children deemed "poor" by the schools and are left neglected in the bottom classes. Many principles would adamantly deny such allegations. All eyes are looking for the straight 'A' potentials!

Al-Manar said...

Hank,

You gave me ideas which I dare not dream of. I have to move so far and so fast as my energy and resources permit me. We will see what becomes of the meeting I had with the university representatives, and move accordingly. Once I did have dreams of your suggestions. But I have to reconcile them with reality, my friend. I am made of flesh and blood and there is a limit to everything. And above it all time is against me unless I can find someone to continue and expand. Who know?

Al-Manar said...

Pak Idrus,

We were privileged and honoured by your visit. You offered us kind and encouraging words indeed. Thank you.

Our salaam to you, Asmah and family.

Thu Jan 26, 07:47:00 PM

Awang Goneng said...

Way to go Abang Ngah! I am happy to hear about your planned collaboration with a local university. The problem nowadays is not the quantity of teaching but the quality. Our children have lost their language skills but there are more opportunities for language learning around them. People say there's too much Malay nowadays, but there's too much English too. More and more government departments are writing in English, more people in public are speaking in English and there are many, many television programmes in English. Language learning isn't just vocabulary building or learning the mechanics of grammar. It is more than that. Children should read and love reading. They should listen and love listening. In short, they should love the language they are learning. Literature is kicked by the wayside nowadays and language is pushed into slots. English for Science, English for this English for that. Teaching English as English seems to be a futile exercise. Give them back the love of literature, the sounds of words.

ninotaziz said...

...the love of literature, the sounds of words....

And the simple life of service unto others.

Sounds heavenly, Pakcik. Thank you or showing us that life has a way of putting it all together, though we did not know it at the time.

I continue my single minded quest of gathering and writing folklores. And hopefully, some child somewhere continues to keep the memory alive by reading them.

What a lovely community you bring together, Pakcik. Mama of Angelina CfS has been rounding us up to spring clean so that we can send over stuff to her 'Salvation Army' styled charity shop. Dr. Bubbles now concentrates on his Foundation to bring cheer to kids. Ayoh Wang reminds us snippets of Islamic teachings. Everyone moving towards a single moment of truth on why we are here.

Alhamdulillah.

Al-Manar said...

Awang Goneng,

Mi, you have said it.I will come back to this.

Al-Manar said...

Ninot,

Each and every one of us has a gift from Him, varied and diverse. It is a matter of identifying it, working on it and benefiting from it to the full, for ourselves, and with some thought for the others.Sadly, much that I want to, I cannot do what you have been doing within your expertise. Many will benefit from your work, the like of what Awang Goneng has been doing. And I do what I can.

Wish you all the best.

Wan Sharif said...

This is a rather heavy subject for a teacher not to be.. Honestly I believe you are doing what I can only dream of.. In my dream I want to use whatever resources I may have grown from my food production venture to start a small tahfiz where I will be one of the pupil.. The venture is still alive( read nyawa nyawa ikan ).. Praying I can still make my dream come through insyaAllah...
To be mentioned by Ninot.. I nearly felt like walking over water or something... I am to small be compared to CFS, You, AG and Ninot herself.. But who knows with friends' doas ....
Like you said we try to do our level best... Whatever we can..

Al-Manar said...

Ayah Wang,

You are being modest, orang Duyong! See my respond to your comment on the next entry.I thought you were planning to celebrate CNY in KT.

Wan Sharif said...

I did but only for half a day in KT and Marang.. Bekki bahu yang terseliuh.. I came back on 27 and 28 to help my BIL on his son wedding reception... Went to see my mum and sis on both occassions.. Like they say. Masa mencemburui kita.. Not enough time to chillout to kkalang maras.. Another time insyaAllah.. Mah deh dok dan starrang

naba the mutant said...

Dear Pakcik,
I really hope that this plan will be granted a 'yes'. Don't know how much the kids will benefit from the visits but I always feel that being hopeful is a window to a better future. Anyway Pakcik, you've been doing SO much for them, and deserve a big clapped.

p/s My regards to Makcik.

Al-Manar said...

Ayah Wang,

There is next time,insya Allah.

Al-Manar said...

Naba TM

I am very hopeful that it will be approved - you are instrumental to this, a sterling work

Al-Manar said...

Ayah Wang,

There is next time,insya Allah.

Al-Manar said...

Nabaa TM

You were the one who initiated it without any prompting, showing a measure of your caring personality, a very rare quality these days. Thank you.