Abdul is a shy and simple 13-year-old boy with a dark complexion and fit-looking body. Although he is not good at expressing himself, his smile always exudes warmth. Being a hardworking student with a good learning attitude, he is appointed by his teacher as the class monitor. He also once ranked first in class.

On May 14, 2017, the Learning Centre held a Buddha Bathing Ceremony at SJK(C) Sin Hwa and a bus was chartered to ferry the students to the event. For some students, it was the first time they had a chance to take a bus ride and step into the premises of a formal school. As a tea serving session was arranged at the event, Abdul grabbed the opportunity to serve tea to his teacher to express his gratitude. While doing so, tears welled up in his eyes. He could not help but to think of his parents, who were not by his side, and was moved that his teacher had been caring for him like a parent.

Abdul’s father works outstation while his mother has passed away. He and his siblings live with their maternal grandmother in a room they rent for RM80 a month. The room is an extension built at the back of someone else’s house. It is hard to imagine that the six of them have to live together in such a small, sparsely furnished space with poor natural lighting. 

Due to poor health, Abdul’s grandmother is unable to work. Besides helping his grandmother with house chores and teaching his younger brother in his studies, the thoughtful Abdul also plays the role of a “little head of the household”, just like many other children in the village. After attending classes at the Learning Centre, he would walk for half an hour to Pasar Tanjung Tawau to help shoppers carry their purchases to earn some tips, which he would then give to his grandmother. On days when their finances do not allow it, they would only have one meal in a day.

Nonetheless, Abdul’s grandmother said, “It is so fortunate that Abdul and his younger brother can attend school (the Learning Centre). I am very happy. Hopefully, they can get a job when they grow up and help with the family’s finances, and help others too.”

Abdul’s ambition is to become a teacher so that he can teach other kids who have no access to education. In the past, the children generally wished to become policemen or firemen, because these were the two occupations that they were more familiar with, given the many fire incidences and poor security in their area.

Among the children at the Learning Centre, Abdul is always the one who takes the initiative to greet the volunteers. From his actions, it is evident that he loves the volunteers, who also love him dearly.✿✿