A Prime Minister will not be in the office without a teacher’s guidance. An engineer will not be as skilful as he is today without the expertise learned at university. A child will not be as successful as he is today without the parents’ direction. In all such cases, education seems to be the most powerful weapon which is capable to transform the world alongside the existence of various expertise in an effort to develop a country. In general, education is the key to success and the determining factor for every individual to achieve something.

 

As time passes by, it has been a common phenomenon for children to attend school as early as six years old. This can be seen through the responsibility of parents who are very concerned about education for their children, so the future of their kids can be more promising. But the glaring question is, do we think education is really universal to shape the future of a child?

 

Across the ocean, education can seem to be very expensive for some clusters of human as they could not afford to provide their children with education. What’s more to say when the increasing number of refugees are not able attend the school like the other kids around as they have no certified documents. Such situation has raised the question, “Can everyone get proper education?”

 

Islamic Relief Malaysia (IRM) has recently welcomed a special visit by a group of volunteers from Islamic Relief Canada (IR Canada). It is as if the arrangement has been prescribed by One and Only Allah SWT to which the presence of IRC in Malaysia is to foster humanity cooperation. The visit will focally emphasise education as the main driving force in cultivating high spirit to explore the world of education consisting of many different branches.

 

As at September 2017, the number of registered Rohingyan refugees has scored up to a whopping 62,153 and most of them have settled in different states. However, their presence in the country has not been favoured by many because they are labelled as dirty, having bad attitude, and the language which seems to be alien for most Malaysians. On top of that, the community of Rohingya in Malaysia is growing and it poses such difficult situation for their children as they have no legal documents to have a seat at school.

 

The sad part is that, these unfortunate people have to work without a permit to cope with the daily needs. On a side note, if a family has a daughter whose age is around 15, they will let go of their daughter to have a new life with a husband. Now, is this situation appropriate for a very young lady to get married and give up education to change the future of her parents?

 

In cooperation with IR Canada, IRM brought the volunteers to one of the projects run by IRM, Heritage of Knowledge by Providing Education to the Rohingyan Refugees (HOPE) which specially developed for Rohingyan community. HOPE is located in Puchong. Unlike the situation in most government schools, HOPE is insufficient of school equipment and teachers to educate a total number of 37 students.

 

So, IR Canada has taken this opportunity to apply a new set of approaches in cultivating the interests of student to learn so that they will be able to value education. True, formal education is indispensable, but the joy while learning should be another priority that runs parallel as children in the 21^st century are more advanced and that they can get quickly bored with conventional method of learning.

 

Initially, the module provided by IR Canada seemed to be difficult for the all children to comprehend. However, it is noted that their response rate is faster, exceeding the usual expectation. Almost every student is capable and could perform what is taught through several modules such as Bingo Maths, Tale n Time, and Science Bridge. For example, during Bingo Maths session, the approach used is a simple game in answering questions which has promptly attracted them to appreciate numbers.

 

Apart from that, this education-themed programme has concurrently foster a friendlier relationship between the volunteers, rohingyan students and IRM representatives. Language factor is the main challenge for both groups as they do not practice the same communication tool. Besides, students are not well-equipped with English to understand the message delivered by the volunteers. But yet, it is not an obstacle for them to keep learning as hand gestures and simple word usage are enough to work together.

 

For example, Science Bridge activity requires a high level of creativity and deep understanding to ensure the bridge built using straws is solid enough to accommodate the weight of a load. Through this activity, students and volunteers communicate in a more effective way so that every message and instruction are delivered decently.

 

If reviewed, every young child has a high level of understanding and creativity as they are in the phase of growth to develop their critical thinking skill, and of course, that includes Rohingyan children. However, the children have no physical access to formal education in the absence of certified documents to make them have a seat at school.

 

Holistically, the programme is actually a great exposure for IRC volunteers as they have been able to track down the hardships faced by Rohingyan refugees especially the kids in Malaysia. Although the children are further segregated from the ordinary societies, the desire to learn is still strong in the heart. But what are their fate in the next decade?

Kajang, 24 Apr 2018 – Volunteers for Islamic Relief Canada (IR Canada) alongside students at Rohingya Intellectual, Skills, & Excellence (RISE) proves that language is not a barrier in an effort to gain new knowledge.

 

Even though the session with the kids is conducted using English as a communication tool, the kids are still persistent to explore new things.

 

One of the volunteers, Fatima Mulla, believes that these kids are actually able to comprehend every message delivered if the method used is simple for them to understand.

 

She also said, “The kids need an interactive learning method that is fun to make them feel interested in studies.”

 

Besides, the interaction with Rohingyan children is also another proactive move in cultivating self-development between volunteers and beneficiaries.

 

For information, the second phase of this humanitarian programme will continue until 29^th of April.

Kajang, 20 Apr 2018 – The rapport fostered between Islamic Relief Malaysia (IRM) and volunteers for Islamic Relief Canada (IRC) will never fade although the first phase of this humanitarian programme has come to an end.

 

IRM Chief Executive Officer, Zairulshahfuddin Zainal Abidin hopes that the sacrifice in any humanitarian work can continuously strengthen the relationship between these two entities.

 

“I hope such program can be a good example to strengthen our relationship between Islamic Relief Malaysia and Islamic Relief Canada,” he said in his speech.

 

Zairulshahfuddin also welcomes the coming of all volunteers in the future in an effort to reach the primary mission and vision of IRM.

 

Besides, one of the volunteers, Safia Khan expressed her gratefulness throughout the programme as it has exposed her to learn more about humanitarian missions managed by IRM.

 

“I feel thankful because IRM has made me feel closer to the children here and I hope the relationship never ends,” she said.

 

For information, volunteers are given a token of appreciation at the end of the event.

 

By: News, Media and Publication, Communication & Campaign.

Damansara, 4 APR 2018 – Islamic Relief Malaysia (IRM) and Ukhwah 4 Ummah (U4U) alongside local celebrities will work together in a humanitarian mission namely Squad Celebrity Global Volunteers Project.

 

The mission deemed to commence on April 18th 2018 aims to accumulate a total amount of funds up to RM2.4 million in order to accomplish development projects in four selected countries, Malawi, Bosnia & Herzegovina, India, and Philippines.

 

Chief Executive Officer of IRM, Zairulshahfuddin Zainal Abidin said that IRM employs a myriad of different approaches each year in reaching out the community and delivering awareness campaigns pertaining to humanitarian issues occurring across the globe.

 

“As in line with the vision of IRM in an effort to create a caring world, we will work together with U4U alongside 12 local celebrities in understanding the hardships and difficulties experienced by those beneficiaries in four countries while being able to deliver humanitarian messages back to the community,” he said when being interviewed.

 

Four development projects to be initiated soon are ‘School 4 Godda’ in India, ‘Tabang 4 Marawi’ in Philippines, ‘Water 4 Malawi’ in Malawi, and ‘Misija 4 Bosnia’ in Bosnia & Herzegovina.

 

Among the celebrities involved in the mission are Irma Hasmie, Redza Shah, Lufya Omar, Diana Amir, Farah Lee, Ashraf Muslim, Faizal Ismail, Fara Fauzana, Zoey Rahman, Lah Ahmad, Nadia Sabrina, and Dhirar Zainal.

 

One of the icons, Diana Amir said “I hope that the locals out there will show their full support for the project in drawing more people to offer help.”

 

Besides, Ashraf Muslim who is also a part of the teams keenly believes that through this humanitarian mission, it will help them to improve their developments in the selected countries.

 

Squad Celebrity Global Volunteers Project is thought to be impactful to a total number of 9,880 beneficiaries.

Sabah is unique and when it comes across our mind, the first thing that pops is the diversity of ethnic in the state such as Bajau, Brunei, and Dusun. Although the distinctiveness of ethnicity is seen as a symbolic of proud for Malaysia, the land below the wind actually has a number of hidden stories which are far kept from the sight of public.

 

Islamic Relief Malaysia (IRM) along with National Security Council (NSC) had an opportunity to visit a few villages in Sabah namely Kampung Simunul, Kampung Selamat, Kampung Bangau-Bangau, and Kampung Halo led by Captain Effendi. All villages are located within the zone of Semporna. The prime objective of this visitation was to perform a thorough evaluation and review in overcoming their problems occurred in the place.

 

The first location visited was Kampung Simunul situated nearby the Semporna Jetty Port. Forthrightly, Kampung Simunul is one of a kind as it is built on the water which has the capacity of occupants approximately around three to four thousand. Majority of them work as a fisherman, carpenter, general worker and some are doing small business. Besides, the village has been in the area for over more than 100 years and most of them were refugees originating from the root of Bajau and Suluk before they were granted Malaysian nationality.

 

About five years ago in 2013, we were shaken up by the shocking news taken place in Kampung Simunul where 10 security armies were killed and for this reason, Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESCOM) was set to establish. IRM too, had a chance to conduct a few friendly activities in the neighbourhood at a community hall that was built with the help from local authorities.

 

IRM sees cleanliness and well-being as the most essential element in life to keep our health under great care. Hence, an activity called “the best technic to brush teeth” was done with the young kids as they are not exposed fully to cleanliness and health of the body. On top of that, IRM also emphasised the importance of education, so basic learning of Malay Language, English, Mathematics, and Islamic Teachings were conducted.

 

Next, IRM continued the mission to Kampung Selamat which is located nearby Kampung Simunul. Just like Kampung Simunul, the residents at this place has a capacity approximately around three thousand people. But yet, most of them are refugees and denied Malaysian nationality.

 

In Kampung Selamat, IRM had a chance to visit Alternative Learning Centre (ALC) that was built with the initiative from NSC. In Sabah alone, 12 ALCs were built and although no funds contributed by any humanitarian organisations, NSC sees it as a checkpoint to expose young kids to learn Islam more in depth. Majority of the people in Kampung Selamat are used to living on the water and for this reason, they have become too dependent on fisheries as their earnings.

 

The next two destinations after Kampung Simunul and Kampung Selamat are Kampung Bangau-Bangau and Kampung Halo. Both of these villages have nearly some common relationships. Visitors are required to walk and pass through Kampung Bangau-Bangau prior to entering the territorial area of Kampung Halo. Unlike Kampung Halo, Kampung Bangau-Bangau is a community that is acknowledged by the Government of Malaysia.

 

Source of electricity, systematic lane, and a primary school are among the facilities that were spotted in Kampung Bangau-Bangau. However, the case is different in Kampung Halo which does not have the same electricity system, no nationality granted, and they are also vulnerable to dangers such as tilted bridge and no safer access to enter their home.

 

From this evaluation, IRM found out that the problems experienced by these villagers are common and associated with each other such as no true source of electricity and flawed wiring system. Wires are connected using twigs, but they are imperiled to short circuit that may cause wildfire to occur. Apart from that, these communities also suffer from hygienic problems as most of them are not equipped with the knowledge on the importance of cleanliness. What’s more unfortunate, they live on water yet lack source of clean or treated water to carry out daily routines such as washing and bathing.