Setiap orang pasti mempunyai pengalaman yang tak dapat dilupakan. Saya juga begitu.
Setiap orang yang mengenali saya pasti tahu minat saya dalam kerja-kerja kebajikan. Pada tahun 2017, satu usaha kebajikan yang saya buat seperti biasa, mendapat perhatian ramai orang sehingga dilaporkan di website dan blog terkemuka. Kemudiannya saya menerima panggilan dari China Press untuk kebenaran berkongsi kisah saya di akhbar mereka. Saya kemudiannya ditemubual oleh wartawan dari akhbar tersebut.
Jadi saya kongsikan di sini untuk tatapan pembaca dan juga sebagai tanda kenangan buat diri saya sendiri.
| Malay teacher raises fund for Chinese student, help extended regardless of skin colour. Original report by China Press, Kuala Lumpur, 19 Mac 2017. Help transcends racial barrier. Teacher Shahzalina has actually proven with action that help does not distinguish skin colour as she helped a Chinese student to raise fund after being shown the father’s death certificate. In the past 3 years, Shahzalina, 39, raised fund to help needy students through her Facebook but she did not attract public attention until helping the Chinese student whose father has died. In a special interview with China Press, Shahzalina said after media reported the case, some netizens commented in a negative manner claiming that she only helped other races. Denying that, Shahzalina said it was a mere coincidence and she has never been selective in offering help. “We live in the same country and we should be united, support and help each other. “Fortunately, my Facebook friends have never questioned why I only help other races and they never ask further when chipping in.” She has since learned to ignore criticisms after being ticked off. On the reason that she is willing to help students, Shahzalina cited a story from Islamic teaching that a sex worker gave some water to a thirsty dog and Allah has chosen to forgive her, accepting her in heaven. “This sex worker was forgiven for saving a dog. To me, I am helping another person. Why not?” “I am also a parent. Seeing children going to school without shoes or uniform, I share the same sentiment. Hence I opted to help students.” On her friends who supported her, Shahzalina thanked their trust. They have always extended a helping hand whenever she raised fund. She stressed that she only accepted donation from her friends and never collected money from unknown people. “Of course, I am also worried as I am a civil servant. Hence, I would prove to my friends after making the donation by taking photograph.” Shahzalina shared the cases that she helped students in the past including a Malay student whose father, a driver for a chief executive of a company, passed away in a road accident just a week before Hari Raya. The mother, who is a foreigner holding the status as a permanent resident, has to raise four children without a job. “Following the demise of the father, the source of income for the family has been cut off. I raised RM3,000 for the student for them to be temporarily out of the woods.” She revealed helping another Indian girl whose father passed away due to cancer. The mother was unable to work for having to look after the father. “After her father passed away, the family relied on the father’s social security benefits of RM700 each month and the mother took care of two children by earning RM500 a month. “A monthly income of RM1,200 for a family is insufficient.” Shahzalina raised RM800 to help the student. She tried her best to help when students confided to her. As a teacher in charge of welfare in school, Shahzalina admitted that the resources in school to help students is limited. So when she helped students, she relied on trust of her friends to donate. “When I realized many of the students are actually orphans, I would ask my friends if they are willing to donate to these students including providing them green packet during Hari Raya.” When touching on the anonymous Chinese student whom she raised fund for, Shahzlina said she did not know the student. The student approached her for help and when she probed further, she decided to seek help from friends through a posting on Facebook. “An ex-schoolmate from Kuching who has not been keeping in touch with me contacted me. Without asking the race, he offered to donate RM1,000 to help the Chinese student.” “Another Malay friend who’s a doctor also agreed to provide the Chinese student pocket money each month until end of 2017.” She said some of her friends know that the beneficiary is a Chinese but they do not mind. Shahzalina said she has never thought of receiving any reward for helping students nor publicized the matter. Her family has been supportive of her. “I have not sought for reward when helping others. I believe the student or the parent (whom I help) would be rewarded.” Shahzalina said after the incident of helping a Chinese student was highlighted by the media, it does not cast a profound impact on her life. Basically her colleagues and superior in school are not her friends on her Facebook and they do not know cases of her helping students. “My colleagues do not know what I have done in private. I am more relaxed that way.” “In fact I have helped student for about three to four years long. I am happy that I can help them.” When asked about what drives her to start focusing on helping students, Shahzalina said in 2015, the school administrators transferred her to teach in afternoon session for some reason. She was very sad then. “My daughter was in primary six preparing for UPSR. I needed more time to coach her and be with her. As my time for my daughter was reduced, many unpleasant incidents made me feel the increasing pressure.” “By chance I found out that helping students to overcome their obstacles can be a pleasant experience and helped me to overcome my sadness. Gradually I have been helping needy students and I will continue to do that.” …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… All translated articles in Malaysian Chinese News are done through a collaborative effort by volunteers. |
