HANDS FOR LESS FORTUNA

By Arifah Razif

No amount is too small, no amount is too little. People would be surprised how much the smallest and littlest amount can impact the life.
Nurul Syafiqah is just one of the many underprivileged children in Malaysia. The nearest relatives of this 8-year-old girl took the opportunity to offer her a better life by sending her to Khairiyah Orphanage, Klang, in the hopes that she could gain education and have more chances outside of her village. Though much better off than she would have been in her village, her life is still not easy. Nurul is one of the kids living difficult lives, and most of them are not fortunate enough to have someone helping with their studies and share the worst feeling of being unwanted when the clique in school does not welcome them. Imagine life without people who are closest to us, having no one to care about us. Today, not only Nurul has private tutors and not to feel left out anymore, she has also been able to read fluently and survive at school. Teach For The Needs (TFTN) is proud to be a part of yet another vulnerable child in Malaysia. By joining, you can contribute to the life changing experience that Nurul is going now. Stories from the field When I first came to Khairiyah Orphanage, I just wanted to see the kids and doing what the usual do. As time passed by, I got influenced by the kids. I felt it in my heart when the kids come charging at me for hugs. When something can affect me this much, I know it has a deeper meaning and purpose.

I began to learn the ins and outs of compassion and enlighten about the potency of simple acts of kindness. Plus, it made me realize that everyone is given the same potential, some just need help to see that they have got it. With help, those kids can do anything, and we must believe that they can. I am extremely happy for my decision to partake in TFTN because it has redefined my life. I cannot imagine my life without meeting them. The main lesson I get is how satisfied and happy people can be with little or nothing. Every time the volunteers and I want to leave the orphanage, the kids make us to stay longer, Nazirul Afiq, one of the volunteers in Khairiyah Orphanage told of his experiences. Besides Nazirul, there is a passionate teacher-to-be named Najihah Roslan. I teach English to children in the range of 6 until 17. It is incredible to see how eager and willing to learn these children are. As a volunteer and future teacher, I have to be flexible and creative at all times to better serve them, Najihah shared her tales.

English language class: The kids are so eager to learn.

Peoples eyes on volunteering More than thousands of volunteers worldwide celebrate the International Volunteers Day, on December 5, every year since 1985. It is created by the United Nations to mark the contributions of many voluntary foundations around the globe.

The act of volunteering is difficult to define. It is a subjective phenomenon because it is always public perception that defines it. Different minds have different answers. Some take it as work for free. Some say it can be less beneficial. I would not like to be part of it. It does not pay and I have to eat. I can do charity when I am in university. But it is a choice. Obviously it is form of contribution to society. In whatever way, the volunteers personally benefit from volunteering. For now, I am not remotely ready for it, one of university students voiced out her views. Perceptions are everything. Poor public perception can lead to inadequate social support. However, volunteers can correct faulty perceptions of it. They are the vehicles to correct the negative perceptions. That is the reason why TFTN uses social network sites to attract the attention of community. Facebook and Twitter become the bridges to share the lifetime experiences. Apart from that, the volunteers also return to their localities sharing with their friends, neighbours, and others the amazing story.

TFTNs education activists reached community during Art For Grabs at Central Market, Kuala Lumpur.

TFTN also joined Buku Jalanans team to promote its foudation.

My friends and I have been volunteering for almost a year and are starting our second. We are real good and so happy to be part of this non-profit organization. Perhaps these kind of will and spirit that TFTN sets to cultivate and spread upon. In TFTN, we believe everyone has potential if given the opportunity. We definitely sure there are many Malaysians out there want to contribute for betterment of education. So let be the platform! Come and join us!