Alhamdulillah...praise to Allah and selawat to our beloved Prophet Muhammad s.a.w....

Last week  we (me, Ia, her colleagues and  students) were given an opportunity to be in Dabong, Kuala Krai, one of the flood affected area in Kelantan. In the midst of deadlines, I opt to take break from this mundane life. Physically for 3 days I was not in front of the lappy, but the thought of you-know-what always occupies my mind.

I would say that the chance  was a precious experience, a meaningful break, a worth time spent and an eye opener....Admittedly, we (me and Ian) would relish the opportunity to be at the unfortunate area...not only a mere visit but to talk to them, to give a moral and spiritual support. We have talked about it when we went back home early January recently.We felt it is a calling as local lass to be with the community. Alas, both of us know to be there we need to have 4WD which we could not afford. 

Allah granted our wish! Ian was selected by ResQ team of her university to lead a post-flood program in two selected schools in Dabong. As an ex-teacher in secondary school (even for only 6 months)...I would consider that a psycho-education program as a reminiscent of my previous life. Not only I can see with my own eyes the affected area but what more important is to be able to talk to the youngster at school. This is might be minuscule endevour  but we believe anybody can contribute within your capability, position and knowledge that Allah has given to us. 

The program went well...although frankly I don't have much experience of conducting group activities or be a facilitator. It was a heart-wrenching listening to their stories. ..on how they had struggled to escape the rising water by climbing to the nearest hill, how they have stuck there for 7 days with limited foods and place to shield them from rain and how they have received the food supply from helicopter. Allah...I could not imagine that in their 17 years of age, their perseverance and faith were tested. It was such agony to know some of them lost their houses and could only  live inside the tent...huhuhuhu....

Concomitantly, I felt proud  on their courage to tell the stories with a smile on their face. They were only two words utter from their mouth 'sabar' and 'redha'... May Allah ease their path. They still enthusiastic coming to school although the journey is  nearly half an hour everyday with charted car or van.The train as the heart of people transportation,  is no longer in service so parents made an initiative to send them to school everyday although they too struggling to earn money. They put value to the education although they are only a rubber tapper. Indeed their resilience is tested and coping strategies immerse from this unfortunate event.