IRM Santuni 90 Beneficiaries in conjunction with the Chinese New Year

Kinarut, 11 Feb 2019 – 90 beneficiaries Sri Pritchard Elderly Home, Kinarut, Sabah assisted by Islamic Relief Malaysia (IRM) in conjunction with the Chinese New Year.

 

The main focus of the program was to create a harmonious atmosphere as well as to share the excitement with the residents so that they would not be left out during the festive seasons.

 

Among the programs included decorating the Chinese New Year themed hall, the yee sang, the friendly sessions, and the gift of souvenirs to all residents.

 

In addition, IRM staff also have the opportunity to assist inpatients who are unable to move and lead them to participate in organized activities.

 

For information, the Sri Pritchard Elderly Home is the largest home in Sabah with the largest number of occupants under the management of the Sabah State Welfare Department.

Nak Seribu Daya!

Kekurangan kadangkala bukan penghalang. Kecacatan kekal yang dialami sejak lahir tidak pernah sekali-kali menjadi tembok penghalang untuk Syamberli, 51 tahun meneruskan kelangsungan hidup atas daya usaha sendiri.

 

Dia juga tidak pernah membiarkan dirinya terus dipandang lemah oleh masyarakat meski langkah kakinya tidak selincah insan normal lain.

Anak kelahiran jati Pidi, Indonesia ini sememangnya terlatih cekal sejak di bangku sekolah. Semangat yang kental membawa dia merantau ke Palembang untuk menuntut ilmu kemahiran di bidang elektrik.

Selepas 3 tahun, dia kembali ke tanah asal kelahirannya dengan membawa cita-cita besar untuk mengubah nasib diri keluar dari kesusahan yang menghimpit.

Berbekal semangat yang kental, Syamberli mengumpul modal sedikit demi sedikit lalu membuka kiosk niaga untuk menyara keluarga berdekatan rumahnya. Kiosk itu ibarat rumah kedua yang menjadi saksi jatuh bangun Syamberli dalam mencari sesuap nasi selama hampir 25 tahun.

“Alhamdulillah, ramai juga pelanggan yang datang ke kedai saya walaupun terdapat kedai lain menawarkan perkhidmatan membaiki alat elektrik yang sama. Saya sentiasa percaya rezeki setiap orang sudah tertulis dan setiap orang ada rezeki masing-masing,” kata Syamberli.

Tambahnya, meski keuntungan yang diperolehi tidak menentu namun cukup untuk dia, isteri dan dua orang anaknya meneruskan kelangsungan hidup dalam penuh kesederhanaan.

Sepanjang Syamberli berkongsi kisah jerih payah hidupnya dan keluarga kepada delegasi Islamic Relief, isterinya Juwaidiah, 41 tahun tetap setia menemani dan memberi semangat kepada sang suami yang kadangkala kelihatan gugup untuk berbicara.

Bagi kami, perwatakan Juwaidiah yang ceria dan sentiasa tersenyum mesra menjadi salah satu sumber kekuatan kepada Syamberli. Mereka saling melengkapi dan sentiasa bersyukur dengan nikmat rezeki yang diperolehi meski pada pandangan mata kasar, kehidupan mereka tidak ubah seperti kais pagi makan pagi, kais petang makan petang.

Disangka panas sampai ke petang, rupanya hujan ditengah hari. Kiosk niaga yang menjadi medan juang untuk syamberli mencari nafkah musnah dalam tragedi gempa bumi dan tsunami yang membadai Aceh khususnya di kawasan Pidie Jaya pada tanggal 7 Disember 2016.

Berdasarkan laporan berita susulan kejadian waktu itu, kira-kira 97 orang telah terkorban manakala beratus-ratus lagi cedera dalam siri gempa bumi sekuat 6.4 skala Richter.

Syamberli antara penduduk yang terjejas teruk ekoran insiden yang berlaku sekitar jam 5 pagi.

“Sewaktu kejadian, saya terperangkap di dalam rumah. Ada dinding nak jatuh dan hampir sahaja menimpa saya, mujur anak lelaki saya sempat mengangkat dan membawa saya ke luar kerana saya tidak mampu bergerak pantas untuk menyelamatkan diri kerana kecacatan kaki saya,” cerita Syamberli dengan penuh syukur.

Tambahnya, hening subuh yang biasanya dihiasi bunyi unggas dan kokokan ayam bertukar menjadi hingar. Kedengaran suara teriakan berselang seli dengan deruan tapak kaki manusia yang sedang berlari mencari tempat untuk berlindung.

Reaksi cemas jelas terpancar diwajah delegasi Islamic Relief ketika syamberli berkongsi detik panik itu. Mana tidaknya, cara dan gaya penceritaan syamberli yang penuh kesungguhan seolah membawa kami menerobos masa lalu bersamanya.

“Kejadian itu bukan sahaja meranapkan kiosk saya malah rumah kami juga musnah dan menghempap motor roda tiga saya. Hampir setahun kami terpaksa tinggal di dalam khemah di bahagian depan rumah,” kata Syamberli.

Apabila pegawai Islamic Relief bertanyakan tentang makan-minum serta sumber pendapatan sepanjang tinggal di dalam khemah, dia dan isteri hanya tersenyum. Mereka kelihatan berat untuk bercerita lebih lanjut mengenai hal itu. Mungkin pengalaman yang dilalui terlalu pahit untuk dikenang.

Selepas setahun, Syamberli menerima bantuan rumah sementara daripada Pemerintah Indonesia. Dia kembali menjalankan kerja-kerja membaiki alat elektrik di rumahnya. Setiap hari dia akan menaiki motor roda tiga mencari pelanggan di sekitar kawasan kediamannya.

“Pendapatan memang kurang apabila melakukan kerja membaiki barangan elektrik di rumah. Tapi, cukuplah apa adanya. Awal 2018, permulaan baik untuk saya. Saya menerima tawaran mengikuti kursus latihan membaiki alatan elektrik yang lebih menjurus kepada alatan kegunaan rumah seperti periuk nasi, televisyen, kipas, mesin pengisar dan banyak lagi oleh Islamic Relief,” jelas Syamberli dengan wajah ceria.

Pada awalnya, Syamberli merasa tidak percaya di atas tawaran yang diberikan memandangkan usianya yang sudah lanjut. Namun, pegawai Islamic Relief yang membawa khabar baik itu menjelaskan bantuan Islamic Relief sangat menyeluruh dan tidak pernah meletakkan apa-apa perbezaan sebagai halangan sekiranya penerima manfaat benar-benar layak.

“Para peserta OKU yang terpilih dalam bantuan latihan fasa pertama ini terdiri daripada penduduk yang terjejas dalam bencana gempa bumi penghujung tahun 2016 dan yang tidak terjejas tetapi turut dihimpit kemiskinan,” kata Zairulshahfuddin Zainal Abidin, Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Islamic Relief Malaysia.

Bantuan kursus latihan yang diterima oleh Syamberli adalah hasil tajaan Maybank Islamic Berhad di bawah projek Livelihood Recovery For Disable People (LIRE4D). Seramai 100 peserta telah mengikuti latihan ini sebagai usaha untuk membantu mengupayakan golongan Orang Kelainan Upaya (OKU) Pidie Jaya, Acheh.

“Maybank Islamic memang sudah lama terlibat dalam kerja-kerja kemanusiaan seperti ini. Kami menitikberatkan tanggungjawab maqasid syariah dalam melaksanakan kerja-kerja kemanusiaan untuk membantu golongan memerlukan,” kata Zainal Abidin Jamal, Pengerusi Maybank Islamic Berhad.

Terdapat 4 kursus latihan yang ditawarkan untuk golongan OKU iaitu menjahit, kraftangan, asas elektronik dan perusahaan penanaman cendawan tiram.

“Saya ingin mengucapkan ribuan terima kasih kepada Maybank Islamic Berhad, Islamic Relief Malaysia dan Indonesia atas sokongan bantuan yang diberikan. Saya berharap dapat membuka kiosk kembali untuk menambah pendapatan keluarga,” kata Syamberli.

Islamic Relief dan Maybank Islamic Berhad mendoakan agar impian setiap penerima manfaat yang mengikuti kursus ini tercapai seterusnya kemahiran yang dipelajari dapat dimanfaatkan sebaik mungkin dan dikongsi bersama untuk pembangunan ekonomi penduduk setempat.

Farah comfortable with Orang Asli

Resting deep inside the depth of the woods, there exists a community, very rare to come out of the cocoon. What’s that? The Aborigine. In Peninsular Malaysia alone, the community of Orang Asli can be subclustered into three categories namely Semang, Senoi, and Proto-Malay. If we explore the case further, the life of orang Asli is mostly unique. Farah Amirah Sarifuddin, one of the staff at Islamic Relief Malaysia (IRM) enjoys the nature of works with Orang Asli in her possession when she was in-charge to be placed at Kampung Orang Asli Buluh Nipis, Pahang.

 

Just like the other wide-ranging communities in Malaysia, these Aborigine families also have their own structures of family and public society. They are also entitled to get the access to education, just like the children who attend schools every day. Also, if there is a headman in a village, Orang Asli communities too, have their own leader that should be acknowledged. Apart from that, they work on a daily basis, hold to one faith, involve in societies, and also play sports. What isolates them from us is that, they live far away inside the place we rarely know, far-flung from the public.

 

Kampung Buluh Nipis is located in Muadzam Shah, Pahang, about 26 Kilometers away from the city centre. According to Farah itself, she stayed in the Orang Asli community to fulfill her duty as part of the organisation’s programme, Community Development Programme which focuses on sectors such as education, infrastructure, health, and sustainable livelihood.

 

Nevertheless, the presence of Farah in the community is absolutely not all about work and job tasks alone. There is a multitude of key takeaways that she felt to understand better the life of Orang Asli. “I grabbed the chance and made the decision to stay in the community with them in the first place. Alhamdulillah, they are all so friendly and feel comfortable when I’m around.

 

“To be frank, weeks of staying there are too short for me to maintain good relationship with the people in the community, I believe it applies at all places as well. But among the things that I need to highlight, when we engage in the community of Orang Asli, they are all still the same, they treat us as human beings and even welcome our presence at their place.

 

When questioned about the uniqueness of Orang Asli, Farah believes that their survival ability is far more advanced and they also possess creativity level which is beyond a normal person can think. “They possess the ability to invent, create, build, and apply whatever that comes in their way to carry on their life journey. The most obvious thing I have ever seen was at the village, the art of what they built in their house. The house is walled by bamboo and roofed by leaves of palm tree. Besides, I have also seen pupils invented a replica of bomb toy using sticks and papers.

 

In spite of their incapacity to purchase materials or equipment for themselves, even food on a daily remains a doubt, it is these factors which intensify their survival ability and even far greater as compared with most of us, the modern communities residing in metropolitan. Additionally, having stunted from the state-of-art enables them to improve their imagination ability and creativity at a level which a normal person rarely possesses.

 

Among the best moments which Farah enjoyed with Orang Asli is the appreciation and care shown by the community itself. “I am indeed so delighted that the children including mothers in the community remember me during my presence. They always call me by my name when I am around. They way they appreciate me by waiting for my arrival at their place is considered a satisfaction that could never be obtained anywhere,” said Farah when asked.

 

Speaking of the challenges for this isolated community is a whole new story. Based on Farah’s observation, Orang Asli are mostly not exposed to new technologies invented as in line with modern times. They have no idea what happens outside their village. Such condition has hardly made them to think outside the box to see the world on the other side. In academic achievement, the pupils are still lacking behind to perform well as they cannot afford to follow the syllabus.

 

This is all due to the fact that they carry out different lifestyle which can be considered odd from the public community. But of course, it is unfair to describe they are lacking behind in everything. In fact, we are strictly not allowed to act as if we are ‘Mr-know-it-all’ and intend to make drastic changes in their community. There is one thing we should be aware of, Orang Asli do not want outsiders to disturb their identity and lifestyle. Better, take times and try to understand their locality before attaining their trust.

 

To Farah, there is too much to learn when being around in Orang Asli community because it indirectly exposes a clear example that challenges faced by these people should be made a benchmark to be grateful for the things we are given today.

IRM Appreciates Humanitarian Volunteers

Bandar Baru Bangi, 28 Jan 2019 – 93 humanitarian volunteers of Islamic Relief Malaysia (IRM) from various backgrounds were celebrated through Volunteer Appreciation Day 2018 at Bangi Golf Resort for their hard works and sacrifices in developing an integrated humanitarian world.

 

According to IRM Chief Executive Officer, Zairulshahfuddin Zainal Abidin, the programme is established to acknowledge the efforts shown by all volunteers in uplifting humanitarian activities as well as creating a caring world to show their concern towards humanitarian issues either local or international.

 

“We recognise all potential volunteers who actively engaged in every IRM programme. Through Volunteer Appreciation Day 2018, we would like to extend our sincerest appreciation and respect for their endless loyalty in serving our beneficiaries,” Zairulshahfuddin said in his speech.

 

He also added, “In fact, the Volunteer Appreciation Day 2018 organised by IRM Volunteer Development Unit is also a symbol of honour for the International Volunteer Day celebrated on December 5th every year.

 

The focus of this programme is to share every humanitarian activity of IRM this year so more volunteers are enticed to work hand-in-hand alongside IRM towards a more integrated volunteer environment as well as foster a better relationship between volunteers and IRM family.

 

The program which celebrated a line of humanitarian volunteers also earned pleasant support from Humanitarian Icons of IRM. Saujana, Dr. Aizan Sofia Amin, Ashraf Muslim, and Irma Hasmie were among the icons who came to enliven the ambiance.

 

Suffian Amrin from Saujana stated, “Volunteer Appreciation day 2018 is such a unique program yet so loveable as we gather all humanitarian volunteers whose energy has been sacrificed to IRM. In fact, it is like an eye-opener for newcomers to dig out more on the actual humanitarian world.”

 

Ashraf Muslim also had his opinions expressed for the event. “Honestly I believe the programme is the most valuable event for each and every humanitarian volunteer who has been with IRM all along in many programmes organised by IRM itself.”

 

Last year, IRM conducted 32 programmes for volunteers. Through these programmes, 839 volunteers have been recruited, 195 volunteers have participated in trainings, and 558 volunteers have involved in our programmes. To date, IRM has over 3,000 registered volunteers in Malaysia who are ready to act for humanity.

30 Special Students Served

Johor Bahru, 23 Jan 2019 – 30 special students from Sekolah Agama Pendidikan Khas Johor Bahru, Johor were aided with school necessities through Cheer to School programme organised by Islamic Relief Malaysia (IRM).

 

The programme which involved students with hearing disabilities benefitted them with basic school expenses in hopes they would be more enthusiastic to continue learning at school.

 

School teachers from the particular school also fully supported the programme in helping to alleviate the burden shouldered by the students’ family.

 

Head Mistress of Sekolah Agama Pendidikan Khas Johor Bahru, Norhafizah Suhaimi said, “Honestly if we try to blend ourselves with the community, the rizqi is doubled. It is also our rizqi. Thank you very much to IRM for aiding the students. The programme is as if a present for them to feel blessed just like how the normal kids outside do.

 

“It also opens up more opportunities and eyes for the public to be aware of their existence and I compassionately believe that the sense of responsibility is there when we mingle around with them.”

 

All students were brought to Mydin Johor to buy basic necessities for educational purposes such as school uniform, a pair of shoes, socks, stationery, and sports uniform.

Over 330 Families Supported

Lebanon, 15 Jan 2019 – More than 330 families were supported through emergency response in the last few days as a result of expected storm in the coming days.

 

Following the situation, Islamic Relief (IR) Lebanon has responded instantly in Bekaa Valley as soon as they received access to the area and to the emergency fund.

 

Based on the first situational analysis, 151 informal settlements were affected by heavy rains, with 12 settlements completely flooded and another 64 partially flooded.

 

At least 407 tents were destroyed, affecting more than 2,000 refugees. Referrals are expected to be received and will increase in numbers.

 

IR Lebanon is now working hand-in-hand with local partners to asses the actual situation and identify the camps for further intervention.

 

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other organisations are also working to respond to the crisis. However, intervention is yet to suffice.