Unveiling life: Dialogue with Nur Sabrina Ahmad Fauzi

Sabrina, or Nur Sabrina Ahmad Fauzi is one of the beneficiaries of Islamic Relief Malaysia (IRM). She is currently pursuing her studies at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) in the field of Industrial Design (Diploma) and is in the final year of study. This story is about her journey after receiving contribution from IRM.

 

“Initially, I was one of the candidates for Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) student program in 2015. Several other friends including me were the first group selected by IRM to take join the course. I am very grateful for the help given as it covers educational assistance as I am only an average student at school.

 

“The teachers who are chosen to as instructors are also committed and supportive to help me succeed through the program. The topics taught are all the same as what I learned at school. So it is very helpful for me to better understand the subject taught at school.

 

She said since joining the class, her mindset has changed to be more positive as she believes that the contribution offered was more than enough.

 

“Since joining, I keep on working wholeheartedly and in the last semester, I received the Dean’s Award which also made my parents proud.

 

“IRM actually helps me a lot in strengthening my self-esteem and all the contribution received such as fees and learning equipment has eased the burden that my family needs to bear. Most importantly, the help put a lot of gratitude in me and I couldn’t be more thankful.

 

When asked about the challenges she faces, the answer is brief. Sabrina is quite concerned about the condition of her parents without her presence at home.

 

“Living alone in university makes me even tougher for whatever challenges to come, I am very far apart from my parents, and what’s more to say my father has not fully recovered from stroke. My father suffered the ailment when I was 17, still busy for SPM examination but at that point I did not know.

 

“Furthermore I am only their child so the worries had me thinking more and more. So to overcome this, I need to be mentally and physically strong.”

 

Just like any other students out there, Sabrina sets her ambition high to move forward and wishes to give back to community.

 

“My aspiration is to become a designer, and I want to further my studies in doctorate level to become a lecturer. To me, with the knowledge I have acquired, I want to give back or contribute it to future students.

 

“It is with the guide of IRM, I believe my new life begins and I will continue to be successful and will never waste the opportunity given. I want to keep rising and be more competitive.

Why Crisis in Yemen Matters

The humanitarian crisis in Yemen can be considered one of the worst occurring in the world, as stated by European Union, demanding further protection of civilians in the country who continue to perish as a result of earlier conflicts.

 

A report from United Nation (UN) says that with over 3 million people displaced by war, and with the economy inundated and in devastations, the danger of famine could put roughly 22 million civilians in jeopardy – around three-quarters of the population. Here’s why crisis in Yemen matters and should be put under the spotlight.

 

The population is on the brink of famine

Yemenis, or the civilians are mostly residing within the area of 100 miles to west-coast. Before the civil war took place, Yemen heavily relied on food imports as water for agriculture is sparse. Since then, the blockade of air, water, and land has tremendously cut food supplies, medicine, and also fuel. There were cases when the food supplies made their arrival at ports, the war has interfered the network used for channeling the food. What’s more to say food prices have gone up irrelevantly beyond the resources of Yemenis.

 

The country is in need of humanitarian assistance

Being among the poorest country in the Arab land, Yemen has settled in economy regression further since the intervention of war took place. Shortages of fuel disturbed the operations at wastewater plants, which resulted in cholera outbreaks. Lack of wages as well as medication led to the deterioration of public health services, and very few can afford private health services. In fact, lack of vaccination has caused many, especially children, to die easily from treated ailment.

School Necessities Encourage Pupils To Learn

Ayer Keroh, 21 Nov 2018 – 30 students from Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Limbongan, Melaka received school necessities through a program, ‘Cheer to School’ (CTS) organised by Islamic Relief Malaysia (IRM).

 

The annual programme run by IRM offers full preparations for the students to always feel energetic and motivated to gain more knowledge at school.

 

An English teacher at SK Limbongan, Norazia Abd Rahman was positive about the programme as it actually helps relieve the burden of parents to buy all school necessities.

 

“Such development programme should be further continued so as to share our rizqi, happiness, and also ensure the responsibilities instructed by Allah SWT are done aptly,” she said when being interviewed.

 

One of the beneficiaries, Nurjannah Kathal Maidin was also thankful for the aids given as they will ease her learning process at school.

 

“Today I received the aids from IRM and it will help me learn more comfortably,” said Nurjannah.

 

Among the school necessities given were a set of school uniform, hijab, a pair of shoes, school bag, socks, and stationeries.

Airstrikes In Hodeida

Hodeida, 19 Nov 2018 – Fighting and airstrikes have been reported in Hodeida which resulted in a number of injuries. However, the number is yet to be confirmed.

 

Before the recent escalation of fighting, World Health Organisation (WHO) recorded a number of 193 conflict-related deaths due to the conflict in Hodeida between 13 June and 22 October this year.

 

International Organisation for Migration (IOM) also registered a total of 75,840 displaced families from Hodeida Governorate in different locations across the country between 1 June and 6 November.

 

Islamic Relief (IR) Yemen is continuing its support to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) in Hodeida by providing food baskets, blankets, food distributions, and kitchen kits.

 

IR Yemen is also supporting 30 health facilities to help malnourished cases from children under 5 years of age, pregnant and lactating women in Hodeida.

Building Closer Bonds with The Disabled

Serdang, 15 Nov 2018 – Public community is encouraged to brush up their communication skill with the People with Disabilities (OKU) towards creating a friendlier environment in Malaysia.

 

Chief Executive Officer of Islamic Relief Malaysia (IRM) Zairulshahfuddin Zainal Abidin said the community plays an important role to better integrate with the OKU through sign language learning with OKU.

 

“It was not their choice to be born as OKU but it is our opportunities for us to communicate with them through sign language learning. In addition, knowledge transfer and social entrepreneurship are also another aspects that bring us closer to them.

 

“I also believe in the term of empowerment to create successful OKU as they have different skills,” he said in his speech.

 

He said that at Inclusivity Programme with the Community, We Are Different We Are Extraordinary organised by the Faculty of Economy and Management, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). It aims to enable the OKU to brush up their talents and capabilities to live normally as human being.

 

Zairulshahfuddin also pointed out that as a humanitarian institution, we should not feel tired in assisting them because noble works should always forge ahead in awakening the public that the presence of OKU is still in sight.

 

Commenting further, IRM intends to work with UPM in an effort to empower the less fortunate people.

7 Palestinians killed

Gaza, 14 Nov 2018 – At least seven Palestinians were killed and another 10 injured in a military retaliation in Khanyounnes, South of the Gaza strip.

The military attack destroyed approximately 100 housing units as a result of nearby bombing which also left eight locations severely affected.

Islamic Relief (IR) Palestine is still providing some limited amounts of medical essential items, based on emergency calls initiated due to the “Great March of Return”.

IR Palestine is also providing regular food support to 4,700 individuals as humanitarian support.