End of the tunnel ( Pt 19 ) – I've got a job now

This entry should have been posted much earlier because it relates to an event during the last Hari Raya celebration. Hari Raya is the time we have a number of ex-Almanar pupils calling on us, alone, in groups and with spouses. In many ways they are members of our enlarged family.

   

This time we had just about seventy of them. Last year’s figure was above eighty. Understandably many are now working people who have to be on duty and some are married and have to be away celebrating Hari Raya with families of their spouses.

They aren't kids anymore!

As customary on such occasions, Makcik had ready some gift envelops for small children brought along to visit us. There was an instant when Pakcik and Makcik were escorting two of ex-Almanar visitors – now young adults -  out of the house. Out of a sudden and surreptitiously each of them tried to slip small green envelops into our hands. Both of us were absolutely stunned with disbelief. Almost instinctively we tried not to accept the gift.

Do I deserve one?

“Saya dah kerja, Pakcik, ( I’ve already got a job , Pakcik)” asserted one of them to me. And the second girl uttered the same to Makcik. Seeing how resolute they were we relented – receiving cash gift from our ex-pupils. As much as we understand what such a gift stands for, we are determined that this must never be a trend. 

We are happy for their families. Our pleasure is to see that they have a good start in life and able to assist their parents and siblings.

Berkhidmat kerana Tuhan untuk kemanusiaan.

Aren’t we all worried?

It is exam time. Last week 481,424 children were reported to have started sitting for their PMR examination. And in a fortnight’s time about 400,000 will sit for SPM examination.  We hear all the noises made by parents, particularly those who are at this game for the first time. Children, who are right now in the middle of PMR exam, sat for their UPSR exam three years ago, and will face their SPM exam in two years’ time. It is exam after exam, a worry after another.

What comes to my mind is how many of these children give their families worrying time. These are the fortunate ones, being loved and cared for. Little is said about those whose performance is no skin off anyone’s nose.

Every where in our country are homes for the orphans and children of the less privileged families.  Those who have been following this blog have read about one home oficially open last year. It is just one kilometer away and is on the same stretch of coastal road. From the very start Almanar has been involved in one way or another with a small number of its inmates. And less than a month ago, Pakcik was handed a new group of 20 Form One children. This group is supposed to consist of the better children selected from a larger group.  In two years’ time this group will be facing their PMR exam. What can Almanar do to help these children on top of what they are taught in school?

Now let us have a look at their last year's UPSR exam results after six years in primary schools in various parts of the state.  The following list shows the performance of these twenty children, ten boys (number with ‘b’) and ten girls (number with ‘g’).

     Results for 20 children in their UPSR exam sat in 2011

         

     

       Kef : Kefahaman ;  Pen : Penulisan

     No       Eng     Maths    Sc      BM       BM

   (Kef )      (Pen)    Total score

    _____________________________________________ 

1  g        A          C         B         A          A        3A 1B  1C

2  g        C          A         B         A          A        3A  1B  1C

3  b        B          B         B         A          A        2A  3B

4  g        C          B         B         A          A        2A  2B  1C

5  b        B          C         A         A          B        2A  2B  1C

6  g        C          C         B         A          A       2A  1B  2C

7  g        C          B         B         B          A       1A   3B  1C

      8  g        B          C         C        B          A       1A   2B  2C

9  g        C          D         C        B           A        1A  1B  2C  1D

10 g       C          B         B         B           C              3B  2C

11 b       C          C         B         B           B              3B  2C

12 b       C          C         B         B           B              3B  2C

13 b       C          C         C         C           B              1B  4C

14  b      C          C         D         C           C                     4C  1D

15 b       C         C          D         C           C                     4C  1D

16 g       D         C          D          C           C                     3C  2D

17 b       D         C          C          D           E                     2C  2D  1E

18 b       D         D          E          C           C                    1C   2D  1E

19 g       C         E          D          C           D                    2C   2D  1E

      20 b       D         C         E           E           E                    1C   1D  3E

     

________________________________________________________       

Watch the performance of the last seven children, five boys and two girls. It is C’s and D’s, even E’s as well. I shudder at the thought of those not selected for Almanar’s help. The above list shows one girl being good enough to score A-grade in English.

When I see this kind of performance what comes to mind is how lucky our children are.

Who really cares for the future of the above children?  We get jittery when an exam time comes. Those children grow up without creating jitters to any body. 

______________________________ 

On the first day of their attendance at Almanar Pakcik discovered SIX children with eye-sight problems. At the end of their second day at Almanar Pakcik drove four of them to an optometrist. Another two were not well that day and will get their glasses in due course. Now watch how the first four smile outside the optometrist with glasses on for the first time ever.

Now we can see you

This done, the greatest challenge is whether this group can be motivated to study? Should I be worried over their academic future because they are not of my flesh and blood?

______________________________ 

p/s :

While we were waiting for the glasses to be ready at the optometrist one of the girls popped out this question; “Pakcik dah lupa saya? (Have you forgotten me Pakcik?)

I was pleasantly surprised to be told by this girl that two moths before her UPSR examination last year she joined a group of about twenty children selected six months earlier for extra tuition in English and Maths. The primary school had requested Pakcik’s help for a weekly class there. I obliged the school, doing the twenty-minute drive there every Wednesday afternoon. Late as it was to join the group, this girl managed to score an A-grade in English in her UPSR. Now I remember this girl. Not among the top UPSR scorers then but she is the one on top of the list above. Her father is an invalid and life is hard for her family. My gut feeling tells me that this girl is a spark, a bright spot in that group. She may, hopefully, ignite the rest.

_____________________________________________      

As we fear our own children not getting all A’s, spare a thought for these poor children

Berkhidmat kerana Tuhan untuk kemanusiaan.

Kera dihutan disusukan …

This morning I had a group of fifteen Form 3 pupils from the orphanage. They only started coming to Almanar about six months ago after being picked from various parts of the state. They are poor in every way, family, education and even the will to learn and above all threy are very playful. They are practically ‘no-hopers’ as far as their tomorrow’s PMR examination is concerned. And I keep trying to make them understand that all is not lost if only they can keep their mind tuned to succeed in two years’ time, their SPM examination. I promise them that I will do everything I can to help. And I know they will get somewhere if only I can change their learning attitude, a big if indeed.

And it is so often I quietly draw a sigh as I face these children. Today, in particular, I remember that I have two grandchildren in KL who will be sitting for the same PMR exam starting tomorrow, and another two for their SPM examination next month. It saddens me to be reminded of the Malay proverb, kera dihutan disusukan anak sendiri mati kelaparan (wild monkeys are being milked whilst own babies die of starvation.)  I have done very little for them. But I draw comfort from the fact that they are urban children who have been raised within my own family. They are not neglected kids.

Makcik is in KL hoping to lend support to our loved ones. And here I am alone with a prayer in my heart  that HE will help ours as much as I have tried to help others’.

____________________________________
To:
Dear Abdul Aziz, Azim, Arif and Sulaiman. With love and prayers from Ki

Berkhidmat kerana Tuhan untuk kemanusiaan

Too old to learn

Certain changes taking place around me are leaving me further and further behind. There is an obvious mass migration to face-book. A few, not just one or two, have suggested, recommended and even tried to persuade Pakcik to progress along with the masses. In defence, let this stubborn old man respond and say in simple words what I feel about all these.

A few years ago my children realised that it was time for their father to lay off the old typewriter in exchange for a laptop, not the massive desktop with all the messy wiring and connections. Seeing how easy it was to write, delete, copy and make all the changes to lines, paragraph and pages I was sold on the idea. So the old father took a giant step, not unlike Neil Armstrong’s 'One Small Step for Man’ on the moon. Then I was shown how to blog. That thrilled me to no end. Nevertheless I must confess I still have problems with anything beyond a simple posting. The recent lost of Almanar blog from the screen sent me into frenzy. Alhamdulillah my heart could take it and it did not take that long for my daughter had it restored.  

Seeing my giant step in IT my children started to coerce me to go Face-book. They made me open an f/b account. As if that was not enough a second account was opened for Almanar blog on f/b. No I have not got used to liking these f/b accounts. However, when I get requests from people to become my “friends” I simply agree. And now I am sure to have close to 200 so-called ‘friends’ on f/b. I suspect they are mainly my ex Almanar pupils, many of whom carry odd names. But I always warn them that I do not look at my f/b. I do not even know how to open and move around that strange language.

Believe me, I am not ashamed to say how tough it was for the old grey matter to absorb the rudimentary steps in blogging. But I made it somehow, and still a no, no to f/b.

Finally, about a year ago my children presented me an i-pad. As the icing on the cake I was asked to select the recital of the whole Quran I liked best. The idea of lazily lying down to listen to a choice Quranic recital by a favourite Qari sounded very exciting. Alas, I still have problems! For instance, I do not know how to stop and move a few lines forwards or backwards.  So the i-pad has been lying idle except when the grand children are around showing their grandfather what an i-pad can do, moving fingers deftly on the screen, taking own photographs, not forgetting music and games.    

 

In short, any one who tries to engage me on f/b will be sadly disappointed. I have grown an intense dislike for it. Here, I will say the reason in a few words.

 “ …. klu ak sekeh mg klu xmri …hehehe”

What the hell is this???? It comes from my f/b.  It sounds like someone giving me four-letter words! Same to you, hehehehehe, with knobs on!

If I am given something in writing I want to see a complete sentence with subject, predicate, finite verb and all. Disciplined life  of over 70 (repeat- over seventy) years is not likely to give way that easily to a change - full stop. Out of necessity I accept shortened expressions on sms, reminiscence of sending telegrams in the 1950’s.

_________________________________

On Sunday 30^th September I was pleased to read in NST the

usual column by Wan a Hulaimi (aka Awang Goneng of the bestseller A Map of Trengganu). This time his subject was ‘A writer chooses words as a painter would colour’.  I enjoy reading about something I believe in. I am not saying “great minds ……”

In summary, dear readers, you see above how Pakcik could spin a simple message in so many words. The title said it all -  Too old to learn. In other words, or another lango , doh tuer gwana nok belajorr.

Berkhidmat kerana Tuhan untuk kemanusiaan

BLOG WITHDRAWN ?? - Help needed

Pakcik was alerted by two visitors that , for reasons beyond my comprehension, Almanar blog had been 'withdrawn' for some time this morning. Luckily someone has kindly helped to reinstate it.  I am worried why this should have happened. What would I do if it is totally irrecoverable?  Can I make a duplicate of Almanar blog as a back-up in case of such an incidence? Will someone, PLEASE, advise me, by email if prefered  - almanar@pd.jaring.my



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Pakcik reminisces (Pt 27 ) – The 2nd call

The end of Pakcik’s last posting ( Pt 26 - click here ) promised a separate entry for the second phone call received on the same day. The first, as related in that posting, was from the daughter of my late friend, Datuk Ahmad Badri. The second call was from the daughter of another old friend, the late Datuk Suhaimi.

What a coincidence indeed it was that on the same day two young ladies addressing Pakcik as ‘uncle’, made two similar pleas that Almanar would accept their contributions in memory of her parents, in the first case, and her father in the second. The two families of these two ladies came into Pakcik's life when the two of us, a newly married couple, landed in the small town of Jesselton ( now Kota Kinabalu ) way back in1964. However, like us Datuk Ahmad Badri and his family were subsequently posted back to K Lumpur where our friendship continued, leaving Datuk Suhaimi and family as Sabah permanent citizens.

____________________________________________ 

Special note (1):

Only very much later did  I come to know that the late Datuk Suhaimi, his wife Datin Zainun and the late Datuk Ahmad Badri were friends from their school days in early 1950’s. They came from different schools in Perak and Johore Bahru but were active in Gabungan Pelajar Mealayu Semenanjung (GPMS), during the days of the late Aminuddin Baki.

_______________________________________________ 

Time flew and before Pakcik and Makcik realise 
it our 40^th wedding anniversary was fast approaching. It was then the sleeping memories of our good times in old Jesselton came alive. The memories of our honeymoon years were too strong to deny a revisit. In short, we decided on a visit to Sabah. To complete the picture we took along our daughter and two of her four children. She had the right to be there because it was there she was conceived, and she was the first to give us the right to be called a family.

In K Kinabalu, many of the old landmarks had gone or been replaced. Many others like the good old Jesselton Hotel were still there. Above all there was Datuk Suhaimi and his family as the icing of the cake.

In brief, it was literally a teary reunion between two long lost families.

Until the end of time

                                          

                   Parts of the two families

 Kak Zainun, as we call her, was an exceptional lady.She is an accomplished cook.  We can never forget those years in the 60’s when she used to run cooking classes for young wives from Peninsular Malaysia, and Makcik was one them. She is the owner of the cake shop in town, the Bits and Bites, where one can sit to enjoy her specialties. She has been running this for thirty years. With a number of helpers she has all her cakes and so on prepared in her house which is almost a food factory in itself.  Of our nostalgic visit she managed to wriggle out the reason behind it. True to her nature, knowing that it was our anniversary, a beautiful cake was skillfully prepared, waiting for us to arrive at their home to cut it.

   

With love from Bits & Bites

Sadly, just about one year after our nostalgic visit Datuk Suhaimi passed away. I will always remember this very dear friend with Al-Fatihah. He has left a family who look at others with compassion. One of his children, a doctor, makes time to take care of cancer patients apart from running her own clinics.   

____________________________________________ 

Special notes (2):

Since the demise of Datuk Suhaimi many parties have approached his family for manuscripts and information on this very special man who dedicated his life unselfishly during his long service in information, radio and TV, beginning in Brunei to follow with a long service to develop radio Sabah during the colonial days to retire as the Director of radio and TV in Sabah. During his days in Brunei he had spells of service with BBC in UK and Australia in the 50’s. I would like very much to write the life story of this great person, inadequately recognised during his life time; a life of loyal public service.

Berkhidmat kerana Tuhan unytuk kemanusiaan

Pakcik reminisces (Pt 26 ) - Sempena Hari Malaysia

 16-09-2012 ( Sempena ulang tahun Hari Malaysia)

Two phone calls a couple of days ago brought me back 48 years in time, one year after the birth of Hari Malaysia. It was known as ‘ zaman confrontasi’  ( the confrontation period when Indonesia showed displeasure over the formation of Malaysia.) Newly married Pakcik was sent over to Sabah to look after the operations of the company I worked for. In December 1964 this young couple landed in a quiet and an exceptionally peaceful town called Jesselton. No sooner we landed in the ‘negeri dibawah bayu’ than we learnt that the locals preferred to call it Api Api. The town was so peaceful that cars and houses could be left unlocked and unattended. Car theft was unheard of. But who would want to steal a car when the small town was secured having the sea on one side and jungles and hills on the other?

The process of Malaysianisation began with a systematic departure of expatriates holding senior positions in the state. The posts were initially filled by senior Malaysians officials from Peninsular, then known as West Malaysia, a name proved to be ojectionable in the process of integrating Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak – East and West gave the connotation of people from the West colonising the East.   

Unlike today, Jesselton was then such a far away place across the vast South China Sea. Flying in small aircrafts was expensive. Even making a phone call (via subterranean cable) was a luxury. Serving in Sabah was indeed very much like serving overseas. Away from home the few newcomers from Peninsular found comfort in being close together. The two of us - three a year later - were a part of them.

 

During our four years in Jesselton I remember Tunku Abdul Rahman’s official visit to Sabah and how the town was decorated. It was an eventful occasion.By then we were a family of three. The mother and her little daughter spent quite a while waiting by a main road junction where Tunku’s motorcade would be passing.

Waiting for Tunku's motocade

There's Tunku coming!

During the four years there we became very close with about a dozen families from Peninsular.  This friendship continued even after our return to Kuala Lumpur. It is sad to realise today that more than half of them have passed away. At this point I need to specifically mention two of them. Datuk Suhaimi, who headed Sabah Radio and Television, chose to remain Sabahan. I am glad that seven year ago we decided to revisit our Jesselton ‘home’ to meet this wonderful family. This time we arrived in Kota Kinabalu, no longer Jesselton! Little did we realise that it was to be a farewell reunion. This month six years ago Datuk Suhaimi passed away. We miss him and will always remember him and family. (Alfatihah for him).

The second family is that of late Dato’ Ahmad Badri of my posting on 14.11.2008 “Hatinya baik ( He had a wonderful heart) –Part 1 (click here). Sadly his wife followed him a year ago, my posting dated 16.09.2011 “ Hatinya baik (She had a wonderful heart) – Part 3 (click here).

______________________________________  

Now I come back to the two phone calls I started with on top. The first call was from Rina, a daughter of the late Dato’ Ahmad Badri. The call was followed by an e-mail which she sent on the same day. Here is an excerpt from her mail. 

“ …….. Abah's passing in 2008 ….. Today marks mum's 68th birthday. The same time last year I was by her side asking her to please wake up from the minor surgery she had to remove a tiny growth from her neck. She passed away the next day….. There hasn't been a day that I don't miss Abah and Mummy, Uncle……………”

Datuk and family 

This is an old picture of the late Dato’ Ahmad Badri  and family during our holidays up Cameron Highlands

Rina, a lawyer, is a grown up lady with a family of her own. She realised that her parents did contribute something to Almanar. In memory of her parents she insisted on doing something for Almanar. Indeed she was raised in a family with eyes on certain values.

The gesture touched us both. Of course her parents are being remembered practically daily because Adibah Amin’s Grammar Builder is read in class. It is a general practice that our class begins with Al Fatihah in memory of our valued contributors and parents of orphans present in class.

"Donated by Datuk Ahmad Badri bin Mohamed Basir"

Watch the name of Dato’ Ahmad Badri on the page.

________________________________

f/n  Of the second phone call, Pakcik will come up with another posting in due course, insya -Allah.

Berkhidmat kerana Tuhan untuk kemanusiaan

Congratulations - Poets among us

Ninotaziz  &  Kaykuala

We are often guilty for taking things for granted, neither appreciating nor giving recognition to what and who we have around us.  Kuman di seberang laut nampak, gajah di depan mata tidak nampak. To be specific I ought to have had the decency to let visitors to Almanar blog know how I appreciate for having the privilege of hosting comments from a number of people who are established in their specific fields.

We have Awang Goneng whom I did refer to on a number of occasions. His two books, Growing Up In Trengganu (GUIT) and A Map of Trengganu are available even in bookshops outside Malaysia. Those who read NST would be very familiar with his column every Sunday. 

And we have Ninotaziz who frequents Almanar. Many already know her as a writer and poet. She specialises in ancient Malay legends. Among her works are Naga – A Legend of Tasek Cini, Srikandi and Hikayat; and is forever busy working on more. I spotted her for the first time when I stumbled on more than half a dozen blogs run by a single lady, an amazing feat. I try to read them all leaving aside the one in French. 

 

I discovered Ninotaziz

Coming along as a poet writer is one known as Kaykuala whom I address as Hank. This gentleman, who looks for every opportunity to talk of his wonderful days at the famed Royal Military College (RMC), is beginning to show his many talents, one of which is poetry. Hank’s comments are seen against every posting in Almanar, forever generous in giving compliments.

 

Kaykuala

I like poetry but I find it extremely hard to understand how a poet’s mind works. I often say so in my comments against Ninot’s and Kaykuala’s postings whenever their works sound fascinating ; and poor Pakcik cracking his old and overr-workedgrey mattter trying to grasp the meaning in full.

Poets United blog

 Ninot and Hanks have both been interviewed by Poets United  blog (http://poetryblogroll.blogspot.com/) . Ninot was interviewed on 29^th Sept 2010  and Hank on 22^nd August 2012 .  Do visit that website to read some highlights of these two poets. Typical of Hank, probably running short of what to say, he tried to pass some credits to Almanar.

I have mentioned three names. I am now beginning to spot a couple of Almanar’s visitors with special talents in Malay poetry. I love reading those poems in their blogs but I can never get anywhere trying as well as they do .

Well done Ninot and Hanks.

P/S:
        In good time we will highlight our other specialists esprcially in education and medicine - not forgetting accountancy.

    

Berkhidmat kerana Tuhan untuk kemanusiaan

End of the tunnel ( Pt 18 ) – To hold the fort

2nd Sept – my day, with a humbling thought

I was happy to see Ahmad (not real name). He turned up with a small group of ex Almanar pupils on the second day of Hari Raya. Like his elder sister he attended tuition classes at Almanar.for three years and is now in Form 5 at a technical college.

Before Ahmad left our house I asked how his father was. I had met the latter on a number of occasions. According to Ahmad his father had not been well for some time, but seemed to have recovered somewhat from a life-threatening illness. On hearing that, Pakcik responded that he would drop by on the following day to see the father whom I had not seen for quite a while. Of his sister Ahmad was happy to say that she had just graduated and was beginning to apply for a job.

“ Has she got a steady someone?” I asked jokingly. The answer was a yes with a gleam across his face.

“ Kalau begitu tak lama lagi Pakcik dan Makcik terima lah kad jemputan! (In that case it wouldn’t be long before we get a wedding card!)” I quipped.

 “ Ayah kata kenalah tolong adik adik dahulu sebelum kahwin.( But my father said she should assist her younger siblings first financially before  marriage.)”  

______________________________ 

Early the following morning Pakcik was ready to pay a quick visit to Ahmad’s father before the day’s visitors began to arrive. Just as I was stepping out came a short SMS message to say that Ahmad’s father had passed away. I proceeded to his house, nevertheless; but it was no longer a visit to see a sick person.

To see Ahmad and sister crying was hard for me to bear that morning. Looking at his sister I could imagine the words uttered by her father. She had graduated no doubt, but that was not quite the end of the tunnel. Now she has to help her mother hold the fort. Her father’s pension might not be quite enough for the need of the family.

C’est la vie! ( That’s life! )

______________________ 

  

I had done what I could and now I pray that all would be well for them with Alfatihah for the departed father; and, insya Allah hopefully we would, in due course, receive the invitation card, signifying the end of the tunnel.

Berkhidmat kerana Tuhan untuk kemanusiaan

Pakcik reminisces ( Pt 25 c ) – Thank You

30th Aug 2012

Whenever I count and rank my blessings I would without hesitation begin with the very life itself, that I am breathing. The second most important item is my other half, followed by the third, my children. If I look back, say forty years ago, the order of significance was different. Foremost was still the very life itself. But the rest in the list were ranked quite differently. For a start the needs have gradually changed over the years.

Each day after my prayers I would thank Him for the significant items in my list of blessings. That has  somewhat helped to defuse whatever inflated ego I may have.

So when I started drafting my posting ( Pt 25 a –The flag -click here ) I had in mind three dates which are most important to me than anything else. I wrote about the Malaysian flag which Makcik took pain to hoist every year around August. Let it be noticed that we are no less patriotic. But this time of the year means significantly more  to the two of us; our anniversary ( Pt 25 b – click here), followed by Makcik's birthday, TODAY, and Pakcik's coming within the week.

L to R
No 1, 2, 3, bonda dan ayahanda
 Hari Raya 2012








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What Pakcik received ( Pt 3 ) - Anthropomorphic Nouns

I wonder how many of my readers have seen what I received from a friend recently. I simply have to share this to keep the joy of Hari Raya going.

_______________________________________

The English language has some wonderfully anthropomorphic collective nouns for the various groups of animals.

We are all familiar with a Herd of cows,

a Flock of chicken

a School of fish

and a Gaggle of geese.

However, less widely known is:

a Pride of lions,

a Murder of crows

(as well as their cousins the rooksand ravens),

 an Exaltation of doves

 



  and, presumably because they look so wise:

  

               a Congress of owls.


___________________________________________________



Now consider a group of Baboons.

They are the loudest, most dangerous, most obnoxious, most viciously aggressive and least intelligent of all primates.

And what is the proper collective noun for a group

of baboons?

?

?

A PARLIAMENT OF BABOONS!

Believe it or not . a Parliament

I guess that pretty much explains the things

that come out from the Parliament...

You just can't make this stuff up.

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