Had it not been for knowledge, I rose. Education is seen as one of the most indispensable aspects of life in navigating the young generation to think critically and globally. With knowledge at hands, the attitude of young people can easily be shaped through a role model known as ‘teacher’. A Malay proverb once emphasised, “bending the bamboo should start at its shrubs” which carries the meaning about shaping attitude. Aside from parents who are the main actor to provide education for their children, teachers are also responsible to educate them towards forming a better generation.

Nevertheless, education seems to be something extraordinary for a certain group of people and sometimes a burden on their shoulders. Wan Shakila Adila Wan Azmi, a teacher at Rohingya Intellectual, Skills, & Excellence (RISE) shared her experience throughout her duty at this alternative school since it was first launched.

Initially, she took four months to shape the behaviour of Rohingyan children who disregarded moral values that should be practiced in daily life. Had it not been for humanitarian reason and wanting to help, Wan Shakila believes the future of these children will turn brighter. “I believe the future of RISE will be assured through maximum guidance being applied to these Rohingyan children,” she explained.

To her, every single person is entitled to have a place for education and that it should not be questioned. Besides, education should be dispersed equally including the less fortunate people. She also pointed Rohingyan children had not been exposed to education for so long. “The importance of knowledge for these kids is because it has been until third generation they did not get any education,” she said when being interviewed. Additionally, Wan Shakila believes that education can reform civilisation through the emphasis or moral values and knowledge.

In Malaysia, students are taught to look for their talents and skills as a preparation for them to find their respective capabilities. However for Rohingyan students at RISE, education will make them realise the history of their generation and nation in the past. Education like this will widely open their eyes to see what is happening with their generations in the home country. In the meantime, it is knowledge that becomes the root to differentiate between them and the other Rohingyan children.

Educating student is surely a big challenge. As a teacher at an alternative school, Wan Shakila not only teaches Rohingyan children at RISE but also runs the school alongside other teachers to smooth out the day-to-day operations at RISE. What is most challenging for her is the responsibility to shape their behaviour through the application of moral values. “I am also responsible for reforming their behavior. To form morals is no easy task because they are totally different to be compared with Malaysian children who are well educated,” she added.

When asked about the specialty of these children, Wan Shakila notes that they have a very good discipline and self-control. “Although we took four months to educate them, their attitude has changed and they started practicing moral values in daily life. They are also very fond of learning and often ask ‘homework’ to bring back home so they can share with their parents,” she explained. To reform their attitude, she performs activities together so that these children can follow along. Wan Shakila also believes that if we want to educate young kids, we need to lead by example.

As a teacher, she hopes that opportunities for underprivileged children to acquire knowledge should not be neglected. If education is essential, we should not dispute some groups because education is for all without compromising any skin color. If it is not us, who else will?

The success a person achieves today will not be a reality without the truest pillar of supportive system, a person we call ‘Mom’. Indeed, a mother bears the responsibility to take care of their children and this proves the inner strength of a mother to perform their task in shaping the youth’s future generation. What’s more to say when a mother is the spine to every child. However, different mothers face different levels of hardship in surviving through difficulties.

Julina Lassim, a single mother who is also one of the beneficiaries of Islamic Relief Malaysia (IRM) spent some time sharing her challenges she faced all this while. The death of his beloved is a wake up call that it was a bitter fact for her to go on with life. There was not a single property being handed over except for the home which is now her shelter today.

“Previously, it was very tough and difficult because as a single mother, I had to bear all the responsibilities and given the fact the life has pushed me to rock-bottom,” she said when being interviewed. Julina who was also a cleaner at a private institution is now unable to continue servicing due to her health condition.

Julina’s situation became more intense when her attempt to get a pension from the Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) regarding her spinal condition was unsuccessful because SOCSO believed that Julina could still perform duties normally. Not to mention, she has also suffered from Thyroid and undergone surgery previously. Indirectly, this has been the loss for Julina’s income to support her family.

In fact, Julina explained that she was supported by Zakat to run a business and there were related equipment and machines given but she was unable to retain the business with the absence of necessary budgets to cover the cost for the forthcoming periods. “I really hope that I could attend classes and learn more about business so I can gain extra income with the knowledge.”

A mother of four children also faces another major challenge from the community when two of her children are dyslexic. “I just couldn’t describe it. I feel so disappointed with teachers throwing out vulgar words to my kid,” she explained in grief. Things are not easy for Julina to raise dyslexic children as needs moral support from the community in educating her child.

Knowing her son, she believes his child’s capability is just as the other students in class but needs guidance as best as possible. She said, although feeling dejected, there are still people who are willingly helping us to provide assistance. “I’m really thankful to have a nephew who is willing to sacrifice her time to sacrifice to guide my child in education.” Educating a lesser than normal child is tough for her. But yet, Julina will still uphold her will to continue sacrifice for the future of her children.

Julina’s two children who are dyslexic had to attend special classes and they were previously referred to a special school but since Julina has no proper transportation and her poor physical health status, she could not afford to send her children to the school. Furthermore,, his son has a great soul and such a high spirit to study at school.

Despite having poor health condition, Julina is very determined to continue gaining income by working at home, selling savoury cakes and cookies for the sake of survival. As a mother, she hopes that her children can become someone successful in the future and change the fate of family as these children are the source of strength to face every hardship.