With a sigh ( Pt 3 ) - good news ?

Two news items left me heaving sighs of different kinds.

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A) ‘Sekolah pelajar hamil tetap ditubuh’ ran the head-line in a local daily.

That is truly fantastic. This will help girls who have prematurely ventured into marital activities. The presence of this ‘special’ school will offer these young mothers a chance to continue their studies - especially in Biology, I suppose!

Thinking aloud, if such a school proves successful, with many of them churned out as experienced gynecologists by our universities of ‘ bertaraf antara bangsa’, many more girls may see this as an incentive to ‘qualify’ joining this very exclusive school – (nauzu billah)

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At the end of our class one day last week a Form 1 girl whispered gleefully to Pakcik that a Form 3 girl she knew had given birth prematurely and was now out of school; and she is from a poor family. So would the ‘dream’ school solve such a family’s problem?

Shouldn’t I draw a sigh of relief that someone has found a brilliant answer to one of our increasingly serious social ailments?

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(B) ‘Kekalkan UPSR, PMR’ runs the front-page head-line of another daily.

Malay Consultative Council (Majlis Perundingan Melayu) which represents 126 Malay NGO’s wants that the two current examinations be retained.

The final decision has not been made but I hope the power that be will hear the voice of this large group. Thus far I have refrained myself from making any comments on the current hotly debated issue.

We have been having enough issues with our current education system to delve into more. To me our efforts ought, in the first place, to be coordinated to improve the quality and competency of present and future teachers to enable them to be truly qualified to teach effectively the subjects they are assigned to. Secondly, the principles and heads of schools must have the skill in managing an organisation. We can win half the battle by improving weaknesses in these two areas. Improving salary scales and more opportunities for promotion may not help much. It is worse if promotions are politically influenced and nepotism is allowed to flourish. How often do we hear that ‘so-and-so should have never been there’?

Teachers introduced into schools around 1950's and 1960’s were a class of their own. They were trained at various centres in Malaya (then) including the two very famous training colleges in Tanjong Malim and Malacca, and the two premier colleges in Kirkby and Wolverhampton. At the end of their training they were credited with just diplomas, not the glorified degrees of today. But they were excellent and dedicated educationists.

What did the authority in those years do right? Do we have to reinvent the wheel? Kereta lembu used to have hard wooden wheels. If there is one today it would have tyres and tubes, or tubeless for that matter!

Many would not agree with my comments. Of course we are all entitled to make. After all I was never trained to be an educationist. But I am sure many would join me in giving a salute to MCC or MPM for their stance.

And here I heave a sigh of relief.

Berkhidmat kerana Tuhan untuk Kemanusiaan

Moment to Reflect (Pt 1) - Bila Musim Durian Tiba - berguguranlah

When autumn leaves begin to fall
Bila buah durian mula luruh kebumi
Sepuluh budak hitam

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This morning a phone call from an old classmate brought the sad news that one of our normal biweekly lunch group of four passed away in KL following a heart operation... Ten days ago I called him up for our lunch, my turn to host, but he declined, not feeling too well. That was the last time I heard his voice.

So an Indian member of my lunch group has left us. In our group were one Indian, one Chnese and two Malays, a true Malaysian community, closely knit without false and pretension.

So I have lost another of my group of ’55. He is the 14th to leave us of the original group of 42. Yes, out of forty two fourteen, ONE THIRD, have gone. Who will be No. 15th ?

Two days ago I bought four very good local durians from a roadside seller. He had only about twenty fruit, all from his trees. “I know my durians, pakcik. They are good. Musim tahun ini tak panjang.” I paid the price he asked for and left to enjoy the fruit with my family.

It is just like “Musim durian dah tiba dan akan berakhir when the last has fallen”, a reminder.
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And this afternoon I received the following e-mail from my daughter:

‘Just to inform babah that my ex-school mate, a cancer patient, died this morning’

Dalilah Tamrin has departed. I often visited her blog to read and to admire the thoughts of an exceptional hamba Allah. She was one of those whose attitude towards life inspired me in my work. I listened to her words in the song composed, and I felt the way she felt of the unavoidable truth.

It is just like “When autumn leaves begin to fall”, a reminder

May Allah reward her with mercy

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Biarlah kita

Berkhidmat kerana Tuhan untuk kemanusiaan

With a sigh (Pt 2) -Tak adakah siapa yang nampak?

Muqaddimah

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Pakcik’s June 8th posting carried the following news items:

“MB instructed for a thorough investigation into the alleged case of sixteen girls in a secondary school in this city being found pregnant.” ran a line in a local newspaper.

Isn't this a 'good' and early start ?

Now Pakcik will add recent news of this famous city of ‘persisiran pantai’.

‘As many as 10 couples are caught daily by anti-vice volunteers along the Tok Jembal and Teluk Ketapang beaches, which are increasingly becoming favourite haunts for sexual trysts………Many of them are said to be students from institutes of higher learning.’

So, at last, it has progressed to the institute of higher learning of ‘taraf antara-bangsa’ no less!

A state executive councilor was reported to say that ‘These activities could lead to moral decay among our youths if we keep mum on the matter ……’ and he planned ‘to suggest to the state government to light up both beaches and intensify patrols at the areas’.

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? ? ? ?

So, what do we do Mr Holmes?

Elementary, my dear, Watson, elementary
This definitely has to do with the beautiful beaches. If it is hard enough as it is to maintain the city street lights can you do it for hundreds of kilometers of beaches? So remove the sand,Watson. Be a sand exporter of taraf antara-bangsa. Of course you will destroy the beaches. After all you ‘bakar kelambu kerana nyamok seekor,’ right?

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The Message

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Tak adakah yang nampak ?

The following minor incident took place at an Al-Manar class early this year.

Aliya (not her real name), a frail looking girl of thirteen, had joined our class of Form One about one month earlier. Whenever Pakcik talked she listened and stared at Pakcik attentively from her seat in the second row. But when everyone else was busy copying what was written on the white board, Aliya bent her head over her friend’s book, copying from it and never bothered to look up like others. Obviously she had problem with her eyesight. “Aliya, why don’t you use your glasses on the table?” I questioned her.

It turned out that the pair of glasses in front of her belonged to her elder sister. She borrowed it to come to Almanar. It helped her along the road somewhat but not good enough to read the board.

Hearing the explanation I asked her to move to the front row. But it was still not good enough. The best I could do for her was to make her sit right across my table, with the white board barely two meters away from her. Lo and behold, it was still not good enough.

Where did she sit in her class at school? Well, the answer was in the second row.

I questioned myself, ‘tak adakah seorang guru yang nampak? If there was one did he/she really care to do something?”

To borrow Quranic ayat in Al A’raf : 179- (in different context) :” ……they have hearts with which they fail to grasp the truth, and eyes with which they fail to see, and ears with which they fail to hear. They are like cattle …..”

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Footnote

Aliya was not the first case. We had another early this month. Both could not be more deserving to get the glasses for free. I can understand how their humble parents feel to walk up to the majestic building called school in their slippers to seek help.

With the help of Al-Manar’s well wishers both children can now see the light; more motivated knowing that there are people who care. After all each pair cost RM 89/= , insignificant to many but meaningful to a few.

Berkhidmat kerana Tuhan untuk kemanusiaan

Injection ini hadiah saya

We passed that clinic almost every other day on our way to town and never thought much of it; It was just like any other clinics, at least six of them, along the 25 kilometer route.

But one morning last week we just felt like having a change from visiting our usual doctor friend in town. For one thing this clinic is just half way to town. Secondly we both had very minor complaints, Makcik and her minor stomach upset and me with some skin rashes, all were the likely results of attending so many weddings in the recent weeks. But above all, for some unknown reasons, we were both attracted to it, a clinic which bore a woman’s name.

The doctor was a lady in her mid forty. After a twenty minutes’ wait we were both ushered into her room. She greeted us with a broad smile and passed a friendly comment, “ Jauh datang, ya?” Obviously she had studied the information copied by her nurse from out Identity Cards. Indeed, twelve kilometers could be considered far when there were other clinics on the way.

I enquired in a nice way as to why the name of the clinic did not bear her name. She explained briefly by saying that it was in memory of her grandmother she loved.

I volunteered to surrender myself first. After a close look at my complained areas she gave her considered opinion that there was nothing serious at all. Some medication should do the job. It would take some time to cure unless I preferred an injection. Injection it must be because I could not stand the constant irritation. While she was getting her syringe ready she gave another smile. “ Di lengan kah atau dibawah?” she asked me as a matter of fact. No, I was not about to bare my beautiful bottom to a lady right in front of my good wife!

Just as she was about to hold my arm (my eyes were beginning to shut then) she murmured,” Injection ini hadiah saya.”

And before we left her room she thanked us for coming so far to her clinic.

I thought nothing of her remark until I was paying for the pills, soap, lotions, powder and what not for the two of us. As the total was far below my estimated figure I asked for the injection charge. “ Oh, itu doktor hadiah,” was her simple reply.

I left the place wondering and speechless - why for free ?

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Two days later Makcik related the free injection episode to the mother of one of Almanar’s ex-pupils. It turned out that she had been going to this doctor. She is unlike many other doctors. Sometimes she treats a senior citizen for free. Perhaps it was her way of returning her old grandmother’s love. May Allah bless her soul.

That is what I call:
Berkhidmat kerana Tuhan untuk kemanusiaan.

Comment by Stranger in USA - With a sigh - (pt1)

A reader has broken his ( just my assumption - could equally be a she ) silence, remaining anonymous and calling himself ‘Stranger in USA’. He appears to be attending a university but I have a gut feeling that he is a matured student. He has nicely summarised two views on promiscuity and freedom of speech at a university. Here is what he had to comment on my last entry:

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Salam Pakick & Makcik,If I can share my observation so far from the other side of the world.1. Teen pregnancy is also a major problem in this part of the world. However, there are many NGO programmes promoting either abstinence and safe sex. Even in university we are taught safe sex. This does not translate into promiscuity. This is only as way for making informed choices and knowing the consequences of teenage pregnancy. Those with strong religious belief and faith will stick with abstinence. 2. Our uni here requires the first year students to continue their studies with English regardless of the fact that your mother tongue is English unless one is excused from taking one. Here we are taught to write analytically. For students, who need help in their writing, there is a writing centre that offers this service on campus. What I like over here is the fact that lecturers are open to our views even if they can be quite controversial. We are encouraged to further substantiate our finding with concrete evidence. Weaker students will not be left behind. They are given constant motivation and every single work that they do will contribute to final results. Seek help, open one's mouth to speak up and one will enjoy your study here.Apologies for the long winded explanation here Pakcik.Stranger in USA

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Dear ‘Stranger in USA’.

You are no longer a silent reader. Like the lecturers mentioned above we, too, are open to your 'views even if they can be quite controversial', as you said. Thank you.

Pakcik and Makcik wish you success and all the best in your endeavours.

Berkhidmat kerana Tuhan untuk kemanusiaan

With a sigh (Pt 1) – KELUHANKU - Apa nak jadi?

“MB instructed for a thorough investigation into the alleged case of sixteen girls in a secondary school in this city found pregnant.” ran a line in a local newspaper.
“This state recorded the highest number of drug addiction” ran another bit of news.
“This state continues to top UPSR results”, was another sensational news.
“Two pupils beat and robbed another near a 24-hr outlet”, yet said another.

Bolehkah ini berlaku disebuah negeri yang berbangga dengan keputusan UPSR tahun demi tahun dan mempunyai ramai U l u l - A l b a b ??

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Last week a lady rang up to ask if she could come over to talk about his son. He needed help badly. Of course she could.

Accordingly, just before noon on the following day a lady of about forty turned pillion riding behind a pleasant young boy, neither wearing a helmet and I can bet my bottom ringgit the boy had no license. She was holding a small plastic bag which she handed to Pakcik.

“Sedikit ketupat baru masak,’ she murmured on seeing the inquisitive look o my face. I learned later from her son that her mother and grand-mother cook ‘ketupat pulut’ for sale to supplement the earning brought home by the family bread winner, a gardener of18 years - beginning a year before the boy was born.

Ali (not his real name) is a Form Five pupil of a quite well known secondary school in the state. In his PMR exam he obtained a creditable number of 5 A’s , one B and 2C’s, the last two being in English and Maths. “His English is very poor and we have done everything, including attending ‘expensive’ tuition classes in the evening,” the mother lamented. SPM exam is less than six months away. Something drastic has to be done.

“Tolonglah Pakcik!” she practically begged, understandably of course. Ali is the eldest of her three children. She dreams of seeing him enjoying a better future than just being another school gardener in the family.

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The mother's mention of 'tukang kebun' brought to mind the picture a man of about thirty who came to help mow the grounds surrounding Al-Manar, about an acre in all, . He was a bachelor, a pleasant one at that. Somehow one particular habit rather baffled me. Each time prior to begin his work he would ask some cash and disappeared for about thirty minutes. That went on for about two months until another youth I know well whispered, “Pakcik, be careful with him. He is one of ‘them’, requiring ‘that something’ to have energy to work.” – not unlike my lawn mower needing petrol before running!

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What of the evening tuition classes attended by Ali? The mother quickly volunteered a simple answer. She could ill afford the twenty five ringgits per month when the boy benefited nothing from it. “It was all noise, in a class of about forty.” The boy added. (We were conversing in Malay all the while.)

I did not want brush off the request there and then as I was beginning to get curious how bad the boy's English really was. After all Ali attends a fairly respectable school whose principle has just been promoted to manage a prestigious boarding school, presumable after a series of proven good records. Having spent four-and-a-half years in a school run by such a capable principle Ali could not possibly be that bad; I was fairly sure. But I still wanted to know. So I asked him to return the following day.

At the appointed time Ali arrived at Al-Manar bringing along a close friend, the son of a fish-monger. The boy's PMR results were almost similar to his. These two boys could not be possibly be short of intelligence having obtained 5 A grades. When the initial getting-to-know-you conversation ended and they were fairly at ease, I gave them a list of about 150 Basic English words and asked them to identify those they did not know.

The outcome horrified me. I found it hard to believe my ears when both of them, two Form Five pupils, did not know the meaning of a large number of words such as :
Beginning
Sentence
Front
Human being
Desk
Floor , etc. etc.

Following that I picked up two words, accident and pen, from the list, and made them translate into English these two Malay sentences :

a ) Kelmarin ada satu kemalangan

b) Dua pen ini saya punya.

It took them a while to produce:

a) Yesterday have accident .

b) Two pen is my.

Speechless, stunned, was I? No, I would only breathe a big sigh; What has the school done to these boys these boys? What has the alleged school not done to the girls bulging to the seam one after another? What is PENDIDIKAN? Where does the buck stop

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I do not mind doing what I have been doing for sixteen years without a cent, but I would not want to be a gardener for eighteen years even for a living. No, if I have it my way, Ali will not be one like his father, insya Allah. This is one challnge which I relish.

` Berkhidmat kerana Tuhan untuk kemanusiaan

P/S
A class of 40 pupils X RM 25 per pupil per month = RM 1,000 per month
2 hours per evening X 4 evening per month = 8 working hours per month
That works out to RM 125 per hour.
If I work just for five evenings each week I would make RM 5,000 every month

If I were a teacher of such calibre I would work for 5 evenings each week, earn RM 5000 per months and sleep all day long. – just a hard day’s night!

Or if I still want be a teacher I will 'think smart', play the right game and get my promotion.

I Salute:

But I know many, many heroes, teachers who work their guts out, under unfavourable conditions and away from home and family, educating the young – many of whom go without so much as being noticed or appreciated by their superiors, let alone rewarded; and yet loving and enjoying in what they are doing for a mission they believe in.

To ex Al-Manar pupils who are serving as teachers away from, Sibu, Bintulu, Kapit, Tawau, Sandakan, Semporna and so on; to my engineer -cum-teacher at a school with 85 pupils in Kg Parit Makuangseng ( many would ask "Where on earth that is?" ), Pakcik would hope and pray that you all live up to the spirit of Almanar (the guiding light that comes from Him).

Such is life – what we make of it.

End of the tunnel (Part 8) -Al-manar : Kenangan Terindah

One of the readers of Pakcik’s last posting, named Mohammad Khazaidi bin Kamaruddin, left a brief comment, almost subtly inviting me to visit his blog. Yes indeed, I did so out of curiosity. And what a surprise it was! Heading his most recent posting was :

Almanar : Kenangan Terindah

So that was it, a posting that he began with “I would like to dedicate this entry special to Tuan Haji Hassan bin Abd Karim and all the family of Al-Manar “.

To be able to write what he did he must have done bit of research not to mention reading through my early postings and one in When Less Is More where he picked up a couple of photographs.

I could not recall anyone named Khazaidi, a rather uncommon name in this part of the world. I gave a hard knock on my memory bank. The best it could produce was that of a popular boy in my class. ‘Edy’ was what everyone called him. But of course, trust Terengganu people to butcher a name; the ‘aidi’ of khazaidi can be ‘Edy’, giving a bit of Englishness. To be sure I asked the person himself who confessed he was the boy I knew as Edy during the three years he was in my class. That was good 13 years ago.

In 1997, Edy ( let me go on using that name) came to Almanar with a group of about 30 pupils of Standard 4 from a local Primary. It was part of an experiment I agreed to do with a young teacher in English, Cikgu Azmi about whom I wrote in February 2009 ( see To Sir With Love ). I gave my help in English and Maths. At the end of the three years ‘Sir Azmi’, as he is fondly remembered today, declared that his school had never achieved as well as it did in the UPSR exam of 2000. Having performed well Edy was admitted into Sekolah Menegah Integrasi, one of the prestigious boarding schools in this locality. He performed equally well in his SPM that he was selected by Petronas into its university even before SPM results were known.

Today, Edy, the son of an Imam, is reading Petroleum Geosciences at the university. And, adding to my pleasure, he still remembers Al-Manar with tenderness.

Such gratitude as expressed by this young man may not make Pakcik’s day any less tiring but it does give a sense of joy and an added reason to keep on despite occasional frustrations.

My response:

Dear Edy, you have done yourself and family proud to have come this far. Keep it up to the end. Today it pleases us that you still remember Al-Manar, Makcik and that old man,Pakcik, but when it is all long gone, do remember that he expects you to give back something in return to your community. We pray and wish you success, and hope we have not heard the last of you.

Berkhidmat Kerana Tuhan untuk Kemanusiaan

Pakcik reminisces (Part 10) - 13th May

13th May

It is a date, just like any other dates.

To all pupils of Almanar, past and present, the date means nothing. Perhaps when it is connected to the specific year of 1969 it may sound vaguely familiar, of something read from buku sejarah, perhaps?

This time last year Pakcik wrote about 13th May in my Pakcik reminisces ( Part 7).

I was there in the city where the curfew was imposed. Something happened in Kampong Baru. Blood had been shed.

As I mentioned in my earlier posting I had to play a small part during the curfew days. It was scary.

Allow me to repeat the incident I wrote in May last year involving a member of my staff.

I remember how badly shaken this Chinese-looking Malay clerk when he related to me how close he was to be butchered when an angry mob, with parang and all, stopped his car and dragged him out on the Federal Highway. His life was spared only by his utterance of ‘syahadah’ that convinced the blood thirsty group of his true identity.

In a way I was lucky to have a special pass to drive around in the city during the curfew. I was able to ferry to my house two families who were living in a somewhat ‘unsafe area’.

My house was a kind of temporary refuge for them.



We were in a state of war just because a group won an election and were over-zealous with victory,
A group was defeated and felt humiliated.

A time for revenge that was – 13th May 1969

And there was blood.

I do not fancy my children, their children and their children’s children to experience the fear that Pakcik felt then.

Berkhidmat kerana Tuhan untuk kemanusiaan

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P/S:
A ‘Melayu Bangkit’ gathering was planned to be held in the new indoor stadium of K Terengganu. YAB Tun Dr Mahathir was to give the opening speech. Coincidentally, I had a morning off from Almanar, and this maybe the only occasion Dr Mahathir would ever come so close to my home. Without further ado I took an easy drive there, just about 8 km away. Whatever one may think of him, I enjoy Dr Mahathir’s talk, his cynicism and all. Alas, a small notice said that the gathering had been postponed. Disappointed I drove home, in the morning of May 13th

What an honour

It was a rather unusual occasion at Nuri. The two of us played host to a group of bankers - the chairman and his wife, a director, the CEO, the branch manager and a number of officials of a bank.

It began with a phone call from the chairman himself, an old friend of Pakcik.

“Hassan, I am coming to KT with a few colleagues. We are having a meeting at our branch office there. Will you be free …….. ?” Of course, not engaged in any gainful employment, Pakcik could easily make time to receive visitors, an old friend and wife of all people.

So makcik had some tea ready and I personally had a few young coconut fruit brought down from our home grown trees, my pride, for some fresh juice.

Soon after lunch they descended in five cars! With them were two large boxes containing books and dictionaries.

“A gift for Almanar from our bank,” said the branch manager.



Simply, that was that, a pleasant break from otherwise our quiet life. And I cannot but feel honoured by the visit and the gift gesture.

Berkhidmat kerana Tuhan untuk kemanusiaan

End of the Tunnel ( Part 7 ) - Will there be ‘satar’ no more?

Tini was what we all called her at Almanar thirteen years ago.
And Tini has not changed in name and personality.
Her parents sell satar.
Her parents’s parents sold satar.
Perhaps even before that her folks prepared and sold satar ,too.
No wonder theirs is probably the best known satar in this locality.

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Satar is an age old favourite delicacy in Terengganu. Like keropk lekor, budu and so on Its main gradient is fish which is ground and mixed with fresh coconut and what not, and dexterously wrapped in banana leaf in the shape of small cones, then skewered on sharpened bamboo sticks and put on the barbecue, emanating an inviting aroma only typical of satar.

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Tini, being a member of an old satar family, does her share in this small traditional family business, if you can call selling at a road-side stall a business. Her father, who works as a general worker, does not really need to sell satar to feed his family. But he does need the extra ringgits from satar to keep his six children through school uninterrupted. He is determined to see that they all have a better lot in life. So in the afternoon Tini’s father and family are busy at his small stall by the main road in front of his house.

And today Tini continues to do her share, giving a helping at the road-side stall, but only whenever she is home on leave from her work in KL. She has a full time job like her two sisters.

Tini attended tuition classes at Almanar for the whole three years, immediately after copleting her her UPSR exam until she sat for her PMR exam. Unlike her a younger brother, like many boys in this area, attended Almanar just for ONE day. Nevertheless he is pursuing a diploma course which hopefully will also enable him to get a job. That leaves number five and six in the family, a pair of non-identical twins of a boy and a girl, who have just completed their UPSR and are now among those starting to receive tuition at Almanar, like Tini thirteen years ago.

It was in 1997 when Tini and a dozen other children joined Almanar, which was then in its infancy years. Of Tini there was nothing outstanding to talk about except for her determination to fulfill her parents’ dream. she was a late developer who needed that extra chance and help to prove her worth. After her secondary school she went to do a diploma course in civil engineering at UTM at the end of which she continued to do her degree. Pakcik was pleasantly surprised when one day Tini came to tell Pakcik that she had earned herself a FIRST-CLASS honours degree in civil engineering.

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Tini now works for a consulting firm. But she can still be seen helping her family whenever she is home on leave. Her father still has an unfinished job, to see his last two children through. Hopefully Almanar will be of help to the twins as well.

Tini was engaged last December. Two months later she turned up at Pakcik’s house to personally deliver an invitation card for her wedding last March.

Today Tini is someone’s wife, a lucky man indeed he is. It is Makcik’s and Pakcik’s prayers that Tini will have her own family one day.

But Pak Cik will not cease to wonder whether the satar saga ends when the twin have succeeded like Tini – when their parents’ dream and prayers have been answered. Will Tini’s children ever know how to prepare satar? Will they ever know what satar meant for their mother’s family?

Berkhidmat kerana Tuhan untuk kemanusiaan

A sad side to it

The face of the girl stepping into the Photostating shop looked familiar. I was surveying her face when she turned and noticed me. Almost spontaneously she showed sign of recognition. Seeing a blank on my face she asked politely, “Pakcik, lupa saya?”

I apologized and for that she offered to introduce herself. Her name is Fauziah (not her real name). She used to attend tuition classes at Almanar. As an aid to jog my memory she mentioned two boys’ names who joined Almanar in early 2005, Azmi and Fazil (also not real names). Unlike these two boys who stayed on until PMR and continued to visit Almanar, she stayed on for a few months only. There was a tinge of regret in the way she said it. She knew, mentioning the two boys’ name would help. There are among the success story of my earlier posting ( 2009 SPM – Against the trend!). Azmi has 9A’s to his credit in his SPM and Fazil 8A’s.

Indeed, linking herself to that group helped me to place her. But she must have suddenly realised her mistake. I would quite naturally ask how she fared herself in the exam. She never bargained for that I am sure. In an undertone she murmured that her results were not so good, obtaining only 3 subjects with A grade, P.Islam, B.Melayu and Geography. To exonerate her lack luster she quickly volunteered, “You remember Akmal,( not real name) don’t you? She also left Almanar like me. She obtained just 2A’s , in Pendidikan Seni and Islam. She got E grades in English and Maths.” So there were others who performed worse!

Indeed Fauziah did not do badly. Many have done very much worse. But to Pakcik it was a shame for she had the potential to do better. To illustrate my point, let us examine briefly the progress of the four children in the five years they were in the secondary school. They had just completed their UPSR exam. They were at par with each other at the start.

Student	UPSR 2004	PMR 2007	SPM 2009
Azmi	2A's; 3B's	8A's	9A's
Fazil	2A's; 2B's; 1C	8A's	8A's
Fauziah	3A's; 1B; 1C	2A's	3A's
Akmal	2A's; 3B's	2A's	2A's

The two girls faltered all the way and something had inspired the boys to prove their worth.

I feel sorry for the girls and for many others. I would have less pity if they had come from well-to-do urban families. But here in the backwater of great development, it is not just their future but at stake is the future of their parents and families as a whole, and the community.

I feel truly sorry for Fauziah and Akmal. What had gone sour for them?

This was what Pakcik feared and this was one of the reasons why Almanar was established sixteen years ago, to lend a hand to the needy. Our system, with the rigidity of established rules, formats and guidelines, and often lacking in caring and humane approaches, may indeed put some children at a disadvantage. And these may be the very children who are the most deserving to be given help and guidance.

Berkhidmat kerana Tuhan untuk kemanusiaan

2009 SPM – Against the trend!

TWELVE out of sixteen pupils (75%) are BOYS, and BOYS occupy the top seven positions with 7 A’s or more.

Please do no not say to Pakcik, “Tell it to the marines!”

Instead have a good look at what we have below:

Total = 16 pupils ( 12 boys & 4 girls )

No. of pupils	No. of A's each
1 (boy)	10
2 (both boys)	9
3 (all boys)	8
1 (boy)	7
5	6
3	5
1	4

These were the sixteen pupils who attended Almanar classes for three years from Form 1 to Form 3 (2005 to 2007).

No, Almanar cannot claim credit for the SPM results of these 16 pupils. If at all, these pupils can only be thankful to Almanar for giving them the help when they most needed in subjects like English, Maths and Science during the three years after their UPSR. Most of them, on registering at Almanar, had obtained 3A grades and below, except for a boy and a girl achieving 5A’s each and another boy with 4A’s. Nevertheless, not unlike many kampong children, they never lacked what is needed to succeed. Three years later, 10 of them (8 boys and 2 girls) gained 8A’s each in their PMR exam. Following that creditable performance, a number of them were offered places in better schools to continue with their Form 4 studies. Many continued to call at Almanar during the following two years. They treated Almanar, and still do, as a convenient place to meet, to compare notes or even to do their small group studies.

---------------------------

Of particular interest to Pakcik is how they performed in their SPM exam particularly in English, Modern Maths and Additional Maths. Putting aside all the sarcastic remarks and the harsh man-to-man talks with Pakcik, had these pupils continued to benefit from what they learnt at Almanar in these three subjects? I was anxious to know and now I know.

It is, therefore, so very fulfilling and gratifying to notice that ten out of the sixteen obtained A grade in English. All the sixteen passed their Modern Maths with A Grade. In Additional Maths, the more difficult mathematical subject, seven obtained A and another seven obtained B grade.

No. of pupils passed with Grades A, B & C

Subject	Grade A	Grade B	Grade C
English	10	5	1
Maths	16	0	0
Add Maths	7	7	2

If number and academic performance of female pupils should favour girls as the accepted rule of thumb, the above figures certainly do not represent the national statistics for SPM achievers. Admittedly there is a twist to the whole situation, a disturbing story to tell.

It all began five years ago, soon after pupils had started their Form 1 class.

To cut the story short, Almanar had, as a matter of fact, more than 30 pupils initially when the form 1 tuition class began early 2005. The number of girls, indeed, exceeded boys. It was also true that the girls’ UPSR exam results were generally better. All was well and things started smoothly until the authority of the secondary school they were attending attempted to rectify a problem the school was facing. The school which could offer some boarding facility had not been able to attract enough number to fill the hostel beds. Very few parents were keen to allow their children to move in. For one thing the school was within easy reach of most houses. Many could idly cycle there and back. Some were sent to school on motor-cycles by brothers, sisters, mothers or whoever, and many others took school buses which collected reasonable fares. At the same time one must not underestimate the economic factors involved.

To the dismay of most parents, pupils in the top class of form 1 were put under pressure to go into hostel. Promises were made by the school authority of a hostel environment conducive to study, of good food and lots and lots of extra tuition classes etc. Quite typical, one parent moaned over his difficulty to make available the cash needed to pay for his daughter to join the hostel. One hundred ringgits may be pittance to many but not to some. Parents like this did not have the courage to speak up. PIBG meetings are almost always silent endorsement to what a school Principal wants to bulldoze.

Pakcik was against such a move by the school and voiced strongly to the parents of those who had already joined Almanar classes. Based on past records I knew it too well the academic records of children staying at the hostel were dismal to say the least. A number of parents, however, relented under pressure from the school. Many girls with good potential left Almanar to stay at the hostel. Sadly, many of them subsequently opted to leave their hostel life, disillusioned.

That was how, for once, Almanar had a group unnaturally tilted in number and good exam results towards male pupils.

------------------

By now all the 16 pupils have turned up at Pakcik’s home with ““Pakcik, what do you think I should do?” question. My answer invariably goes along the theme expressed in

Ukur baju dibadan sendiri

It is well and good to have high ambition and all. Many ‘pakar motivasi’, who often address themselves with Doktor ( PhD) Datuk and all, would expound their text-book theories the need to aim for the moon. I cannot not simply look at the faces of these children without reflecting on the reality that their parents are wondering what and when their children’s A’s would translate into dollars and cents for the family, and ease the pain and tiredness at the end of a hard day’s work. These children must fully realise that they cannot, years from now, make excuses:

“ Hajat hati nak peluk gunung. Apakan daya tangan tak sampai.”

A choice has to be tailored towards an assurance that he or she is able to take home dollars and cents at the end of the day, leaving aside the need to satisfy one’s ego of achievement. Pakcik will in due course explain why my way of thinking is more conservative with regard to higher education for many of these kampong children. It is hard for many in the urban areas to accept the reality that it is not altogether a level playing field despite the number of A’s scored. Many of them need to practice running up the small hills before attempting a snow-capped mountain. In all cases there must be rooms to improve themselves.

Berkhidmat kerana Tuhan untuk kemanusiaan

End of the Tunnel ( Part 6 ) - A glimmer long way ahead

Pak Cik wrote in December last year (‘Whither Goest Thou?’) about three pupils, one boy and two girls, who performed well in their UPSR examination when the odds were against them. Their parents had resigned to the fact that as far as their children were concerned, irrespective of their achievement, they would continue their Form 1 studies at the nearest normal secondary schools. To them life is painful enough without having to gloat over an expensive dream.

Assured of sponsorship, however, and with persuasion from concerned teachers, the families relented. The teachers helped to apply for entry of the three good performers into the better known boarding schools. Today, Pak Cik am happy to report that the three musketeers have started life in a better environment.

Three of these four are fortunate

The sole boy among the three is in a prestigious Sekolah Menengah Sains (Kuala Terengganu) and the two girls are in two MARA schools (MRSM Pasir Tumbuh and Besut). There they have begun their Form 1.

The boy is lucky to qualify for a special scheme whereby his parents are required to pay nothing from day one. All the initial fees on registration were waived, boarding and all.

The two girls, as expected, had to get things prepared and have a specific initial sums ready to be settled on registration. These were what the parents dreaded most, apart from the unknown requirements in the course of their children studying and living there.

The reactions of the families on receiving one thousand ringgits each from Almanar were beyond belief. The feel of that sum of hard cash in hand was probably a dream. An old friend of Pak Cik living more than one hundred kilometers away, one I had not seen and talked to for over three years, chose to ring me up a few evenings ago. He wanted to relate a story how he came across a man who was a total stranger to him. The man was proud to talk of his daughter going into MRSM and of a man who helped with an unexpectedly enormous sum!

That signals the start of Almanar sponsorship. What would be the on-going requirements and future commitments for these three children will have to be monitored. At this stage, there is no necessity to cry for any donation. It is gratifying for Pak Cik to know that out there, generous individuals are ready to chip in. Pak Cik will not hesitate to speak of the need when it comes.

For the moment let us hope the children will perform as they should for a better future. Their families can now, probably for the first time, afford to own a dream - that at the end of this long dark tunnel surely there is a glimmer of hope.

Berkhidmat kerana Tuhan untuk kemanusiaan

p/s:

What about Pak Cik’s own two grandchildren who earned themselves a trip to Bandar ‘Cat’ after their UPSR? Well, they were adamant that they had no wish to leave their home environment. What they wanted most was to be with their respective elder brothers at the Victoria Institution, the day school in Kuala Lumpur. So we save money.

The four cousins and grandma

Awang Goneng commented – I do it my way (part 4)

For Pak Cik’s earlier blog entry, ‘Ha Ha Ha – I do it my way (part 3)’ – the famed Awang Goneng (Kecek-Kecek blog) sent some comments. I have in the past highlighted certain individuals’ comments which deserve to be viewed by visitors to Almanar. So here are the main parts of what Awang Goneng had to say:

"....
I am in total agreement with what has been said here about the teaching of English. If only the politicians would stop messing about with our schools, changing this and that each time a new man arrives at the Ministry, to suit a superior ego's needs. I remember a man saying this about the fate of Bank Islam Malaysia (and he was one of its founders). "I know when an incompetent person has arrived at the bank. He starts to meddle with the branches and things of that sort instead of spending his time with general policies." He was bitter that all that they had achieved had gone to nought. We have every right to be bitter too, our education system, one that worked very well for you and me, is now in shambles. And as you rightly said, we are all put into this great big sausage machine, and some of our young students are made to go through the ridiculous Matrikulasi course, which is not recognised by anyone outside our system, and which is actually eduaction-in-a-hurry for our young kids.

There must be hundreds of good, retired English teachers throughout the length and breadth of our land. Forget the Kiwis and the Kangaroos, call all these people back to work. In London there is a wonderful man (a loyal Malaysian) who has been teaching English successfully for many, many years to people from all over the world, is an expert on English verbs, and who speaks English with the clipped received pronunciation of the Beeb. Has anyone come to him to ask for advice or help? No. I was talking to him once when another Malaysian made this remark. "In Malaysia, my friend, it is not what you're worth that matters. It's how much you're worth to anyone in backhanders that counts." I once saw a group of Malaysian officers here in London on a course at an idiotic college that I wouldn't even send my cat to for a feed. And I wondered who sent them all there? And how much was that worth in kickbacks to some idiot?
...."

Pak Cik' s comments :

I am not at all surprised if the majority of Malaysians share the above sentiment, not just the two TRENGGANU (watch the out-dated spelling) folks like Awang Goneng and Pak Cik. We may spell Cina or China, Kota Baharu or Kota bahru or Kota Bharu, technology, teknologi or teknoloji, i’lan or iklan, and what else, but the real values are not in the clothing and the way we pronounce them.

Indeed we have to change. But I do not believe, for instance, in the way Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka has made the changes to modernise Bahasa Melayu ( or Bahasa Malaysia or is it now Bahasa 1Malaysia? Pardon my ignorance.) Look how Pak Cik spell the word ‘modernise’ never mind if a million others choose ‘modernize’.

It is sad in more than one way that many of us, old timers, look with disdain at the quantum leaps in our education. Even the mind-boggling names of educational institutions in the country are too much for an old block to comprehend the difference. Here are some school categories I often hear:

Sekolah rendah (kebangsaan?)
Sekolah menengah (kebangsaan?)
Sekolah menengah agama ( or is it ugama?) negeri
Sekolah menengah- ditto – persekutuan.
Imtiaz
SBP ( Sekolah Berasrama Penuh?)
SBT ( the latest 20 I believe)
MRSM
MRSM-imtiaz ( because it has a new chairman?)
Sekolah bestari
Sekolah integrasi
Sekolah elit
Sekolah wawasan
Sekolah kelaster ( klaster or cluster?)
…… and so on

The list does not include ‘Sekolah Teknik’ group which now is about to undergo drastic changes in names and contents as quoted in the local papers last week.

I have known of the ‘loyal Malaysian’ quoted by Awang Goneng, and I have been his silent admirer. Awang Goneng is in a better position to confirm whether the man does claim himself to be a Malaysian or a Malayan. When interviewed in KL during a visit home some years ago he expressed his views on learning of English by Malaysians. I can never forget one statement he made that, from his observation, of the three main races in Malaysia, Malay children would find it most difficult to study English. Indian pupils have a definite edge. After some years of running Almanar, I realise how difficult it is for kampong Malays to express in English, as an example, a string of adjectives which precede a noun. Sepasang baju Melayu bewarna biru - a pair dress Malay with colour blue!

To help overcoming some of these difficulties Almanar pupils have to do lots of exercises involving translation work from Malay. This is my way.

Additionally, if I were allowed to dream, I would think very hard about that very person in London who had successfully run for years and years a school for English study in the very heart of England. The man has to be back and work in Malaysia, full stop. To achieve that I would blackmail him with a ‘Tan Sri’ and lots and lots of money to design and run a special school for English language without any interference. To lend credence to his work, as is our general perception and practice in Malaysia, he would be honoured by a local university of ‘taraf antarabangsa’, of course, with a PhD and Professorship so that when addressed in public he will always be referred to as ‘ …. Tan Sri Datuk Prof Dr …..’. All those in the ministry of education and the respective politicians involved, in particular, will have to earn a certificate from his new school before they are allowed to mess up their jobs in upgrading the standard of English in Malaysian schools to the ‘British’ English. This, to my simple and uneducated way of thinking, will be more cost effective than importing 365 English teachers, who probably would have to work in super air-conditioned rooms at the temperature of English winter plus six months of general acclimatisation and adjustments to enable them to usefully participate in the celebrations of Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, Thaipusam, Gawai, Harvest and so forth – the 1Malaysia. And this would be my way.

Berkhidmat kerana Tuhan untuk kemanusiaan

Ha Ha Ha – I do it my way (part 3)

The Education Minister was reported in the New Sunday Times to have said that language arts and use of correct phonics will be the core of a new curriculum for English language to be implemented next year. “What is important is standard and the new curriculum will teach students according to the standard British language phonics so that our students will know how to pronounce English words as spoken by native speakers.”

That is truly fantastic.

It was also reported (in another paper) that 365 English language teachers ( any reference to 365 days in year ?) will be imported in June to train local teachers to teach this language.

--------------------

Two years ago I met a very senior member of ‘Kementerian Pendidikan’ (or is it Kementerian Pelajaran?). In the course of our friendly conversation we touched on the subject of teaching English in schools and where to send our students to study. Not to show a total ignorance I tried to make a smart remark by saying that the University of Kent, England, was a good place simply because I happened to know of a number of Malayan students being sent there in 1980’s. That truly aroused his enthusiasm. He spent the next minutes giving me a lecture on selection of universities for English language studies. Obviously seeing my ignorance, he teed off with gusto,“England is not the best place for learning English.” At length he concluded that “New Zealand and Australia are the best for English language.

“Oh, is that so?’ was my meek response.

To lend credence to his powerful discourse, a young boy entered the house. “That is my boy and he is going to Australia to do TESL”. How convincing his argument was and I congratulated him for having a clever son who would one day teach good English like a genuine native.

I have never been to New Zealand and I wonder whether he had ever been to England, which may be, for all you know, a different country from UK and GB. In 1956 my Scottish (not English) landlady asked me whether Malaya was somewhere in Singapore! And I could hardly understand her strange accent although she was a native; then, I had newly been shipped to an English speaking country which I thought would have a kind of ‘bahasa baku’.

------------------

And last year a group of young American graduates of various disciplines (not English) were seen around and one, a girl, was stationed at a secondary school in Pakcik’s vicinity. Soon I began to hear from pupils coming to Almanar about the new celebrity in their school and her ‘strange accent’.

------------------

So (I must learn to use this new Malay word because that is the most commonly used word on TV today, and it will soon be in Kamus Dewan, I am sure) we are now about to go for standard British language.

In April last year Pakcik made some reference to PPSMI, the hot topic of that moment. Refer to PPSMI – I do it my way (Part 1)

Now it is ‘buy British first’. With his typical smile, our Tun Dr Mahathir must be wondering. At the same time I, too, wonder how my friend in the Dept of Education will take it now that we are not going to Canterbury of New Zealand for good English – possibly back to the old Canterbury.

Well, Pakcik will carry on doing it the way I believe, irrespective. Old habits die hard.

Berkhidmat kerana Tuhan untuk kemanusiaan

My Way – Introduction

Three months ago Pakcik had that Bell’s palsy which turned my face more ‘attractive’ than usual. People gave long looks at me – admiring, wondering, maybe? Even Makcik, in spite of having chalked up more than forty-five years of living together, could not resist studying my face – tenderly and lovingly, of course - anxiously hoping that the look on Pakcik’s face would not last too long.

No sooner the Bell’s palsy had disappeared than a charming couple arrived. For the first time Pakcik and Makcik met Dr Umi Kalthum Ngah, a Professor Madya and a writer of at least five interesting books for children, and her husband, Sofian, both of whom are with a well known university up North. They had driven all the way to K Terengganu. Apart from a nostalgic journey to the East Coast which they had planned, they were intrigued by the work of Almanar. They wished to know ‘my way’ of achieving my objectives at Almanar. Both are dedicated educationists who have spent a great deal of their time on voluntary work for the less fortunate in their area. What is ‘my way’?

They returned home and Umi Kalthum unexpectedly posted in her blog, Hues of dewdrops, and its Malay version, Biasan Embun , an unnecessarily flattering description of our simple retiring home - ‘That white house beside the beach.’ That, I suppose, is her way of thanking us for accommodating them and for the simple meals - which we enjoyed having with them.

This week, three months later, we hosted the famed Wan A Hulaimi, now better known as Awang Goneng the pen-name of his popular book Growing Up in Trengganu (and his Kecek-Kecek blog). Unlike Umi Kalthum, he was alone because his beloved wife - now best known for her Kak Teh’s Choc-a-Bloc Blog) - chose to return to London from KL and by-pass K Terengganu, probably after having heard and read enough of the famed ‘bandaraya persisiran pantai’ and its world-class miniature mosques of Pulau Wan Man, and the ultra modern sports stadium with its ‘collapsible roof’.

During the short stay of Awang Goneng, Pakcik managed to pick his brain on a number of points on teaching of English and creative writing. I could not have a better opportunity and a better person to ask. On blog writing, he suggested that I spend some time on highlighting problems faced in running Almanar and the way I had attempted to overcome them. So it is another ‘My Way’ of doing things in this sleepy town.

Having two parties who talked of ‘My way’, insya Allah, Pakcik will make this a mini series like ‘Pakcik Reminisces’ and ‘End of the Tunnel’. To the couple and Wan Hulaimi, the two of us must register the pleasure we had of their company.

Berkhidmat kerana Tuhan untuk kemanusiaan

Dia Sahaja Yang Kekal - 2

Hawa was the name she wanted to be called some fifty years ago, and Hawa has been the name I have known her ever since. Say the name and her face comes to my mind. And to her I was just AK and makcik was Kak Salmah. Today, I grieve inwardly because early this morning a short sms told me that my Hawa passed away last night.

Salams AK & Kak Salmah,

Thank you for your kind thoughts and prayers. Insyaallah, I hope I can manage to undergo the tough period and recover soon.

Have just sent my pet scan results to my doctor here and am still waiting for his call.

Will let you know as soon as I start my chemo.

Hawa. ( 7/12/09)

That was Hawa’s last e-mail to Pakcik just one month ago and I replied soon after with all our prayers. A brave lady she had been over the long period of her illness, with chemo after chemo, knowing it too well that, after series of such treatment and still bravely awaiting more, her chances were becoming slim.

Hawa was my secretary then, a very dedicated one. She was handling some sensitive issues but I had no compunction to have confided in her. She was absolutely trustworthy. Perhaps she was ‘berkhidmat kerana Allah’ not just for me and the salary she earned; and perhaps she knew that I went out of expected line of duty for Him.

This is Pakcik’s fourth entry on this sad subject. I feel the need to record the demise of people the memories of whom touch me deeply. It is not of general interest, I realise fully. But a person like my Hawa meant a lot to me somehow. I simply have to have it recorded for my personal reference in future.

I will continue to say my prayers for her and those who mattered to me in their lives and who served ‘kerana Allah’. Al-Fathihah.

Berkhidmat kerana Tuhan untuk kemanusiaan

Going Stealing No More !

Hurray, the line is back! There is no longer any need to go snooping outside computer shops STEALING people's signal - feeling as guilty as the copper cable thieves not feeling guilty.

Berkhidmat kerana Tuhan untuk kemanusiaan.

Great copper cable thieves!

No, it is not of the same scale as the famed great train robbery of England in the fifties. Desperate to make a living (or to purchase drugs?) in this bustling new city, some choose to wonder in the dark cutting about 100 meters of telephone cable each time for copper to sell.

In the New Sunday Times of 17^th Jan there was a short news of similar happening in Maran where two syndicates had been smashed. But Maran is not a city like where Almanar is. The stealing around me has been a nightly affair, each time Telekom Malaysia losing about 100 meters of cable. The thieves are having heyday. The person in charge of the local substation informed me that, having lost so much recently, they had run out of cable to replace the stolen. So, without a telephone line, there is no modem, hence no streamyx. And I cannot afford the sophisticated hand-phone! Poor me have to have patience ( patience being part of iman).



But Pakcik am not without resources. I go to an unaffected computer shop and share its streamyx signal. In fact after Almanar class this morning I drove to one, stopped by the road-side beside it and read my inbox mails. Now I am drafting this entry offline and will get it posted before the shop closes! Isn’t that clever?

----------------

Now I wonder.

- I wonder when I shall have my line, my streamyx.

- I wonder whether anyone or anybody (like the police, Telecom headquarters, ADUN or MP of my constituency) is doing anything about this.

- I wonder how the affected schools handle their high tech teaching equipment and how the pupils, many provided with an e-book each, do their homework.

- I wonder whether Telekom Malaysia cannot justify setting up its own cable manufacturing factory here.

With a lot of time on hand I can afford to sit back and wonder ----

Berkhidmat kerana Tuhan untuk kemanusiaan

Will this be a better year?

Late last night Pakcik received a short New Year message from an ex-Almanar girl doing pharmacy in Bandong. She expected to read my New Year resolution. No, last night, I had no wish to write one. So Pakcik happily turned in soon after watching on TV the arrival of New Year celebration.

Then early this morning, another New Year message came through from a dear English friend of my yester-years, Ian Sanderson, now happily settled in the States with children and grandchildren.

“Hassan,

Happy new year to you & your family.
A few recent pictures for you.

All the best,
Ian”

HMS Endeavour

One of the six pictures is a sketch he made of HMS Endeavour, the ship used by the great English explorer, Captain James Cook in the 18th century. My friend must be reflecting of his life, his migration across the Atlantic. Indeed, I have had a kind of migration, too, from a busy life on the West Coast to the East, across the great Banjaran Titiwangsa! So, hurriedly I went in search of one of my old diaries. And I found one.

As usual, the first entry of that diary carried a ‘doa’ - in Arabic. Translated, here is a part of what I wrote 55 years ago:

“ ------------ Engkau telah mencipta diriku. Jadilah aku salah seorang daripada mereka yang berimam dengan hati mereka, bukan dibibir; membuat kebaikkan dan berjaya. Kiranya Engkau mengambil aku kembali biarlah selepas aku membuat kebajikkan ------------”

At the end of the diary was a list of 41 classmates and their addresses. Of that number, 16 persons, including two ladies, are no longer around. I say Al-Fathihah for these friends, people who coloured my life.

As always, the present and the past pupils of Almanar, I urge you to make your wishes and write them down. Years down the road you will be able to reflect whether in your fancy free days you made wishes that you are not ashamed of today. Have you got it all right or all wrong?

I have ceased to keep diaries but Pakcik still have unwritten wishes. I am not happy with Almanar classes in 2009 because an unusually large number dropped out during the course of the year. It is my wish that I will find a way in 2010 to keep as many pupils tuned and determined to improve themselves in life.

In the old diary mentioned above, Pakcik concluded with two lines in English,

“A year of success. May it be followed by similar years.”

Today, the first day of 2010 I ask myself, “Will this be a better year?”

Berkhidmat kerana Tuhan untuk kemanusiaan.

P.S.
Incidentally, I immediately asked Ian Sanderson why he did the sketches and here is his reply (not quite the reason I surmised above):

Hassan,
I did the ship pictures - some done on old marine charts -something different that might appeal.
I started with the Cutty Sark [a famous tea clipper ship that is at Greenwich, London]- I had made a model some time ago, same with America'- In 1880 it sailed across the Atlantic & beat 13 UK sailboats. Queen Vitoria asked 'who came second' -answer- 'there is no second'!

Cutty Sark

America

Free Spirit

Free Spirit 2

Great Harry 2