8 HAPPY CHILDREN, 2 CONTENTED TEACHERS

By the end of the school day, I had managed to collect RM 428.00 from the teachers and staff who sponsored the 5-day fast I undertook. With money in hand, I made plans with Puan Kamariah Sulaiman to take the children out to shop for Raya clothings.

When both of us arrived at the place, the children were waiting for us. Altogether, there were 4 boys and 4 girls. The ages of the children ranged from 9 - 14. I noticed that all of them were small for their age. The three elder boys went in my car while the girls and the youngest boy, Syful went with Puan Kamariah. When I was with the boys, I had asked them if they had any Baju Raya yet and the answer was no. They also told me that the food for their berbuka puasa was sponsored by a restaurant every day. After that I did not talk much as I wasn't feeling very well due to my influenza.

We went to a shop called Al-Mansur which is opposite of the Ceria supermarket. There the children were told to choose the Raya clothes that they liked. Puan Kamariah helped the girls choose and the store owner helped the boys. Me? I took photographs, as usual. With the money sponsored by the teachers, we managed to buy 4 sets of Baju Melayu, 4 sets of Baju Kurung, 4 headscarfs, 4 kopiahs and 1 sampin. The cost came up to RM450.00 after discount. I made up the difference as I said I would. The store owner was also very generous. He donated 3 sets of Baju Melayu and 4 sets of Baju Kurung to the children.

At the end of the day, I could see that the children were happy to own new clothes that they got to select on their own. They were very well-behaved and polite children which made it worth all my while getting sponsors to buy clothes for them.

I have to thank all the teachers and staff who have contributed in buying clothes for these children of unfortunate circumstance. To Puan Asiah, Puan Musliha and Puan Kamariah, thank you for challenging me to do the fast. To Puan Khairiah, thank you for giving me the idea that when I fast I have to have to do so with an intention. Therefore, each day of the fast I made sure I'd wake up early in time for the sahur and then made sure I not fall ill lest I have to forgo the fast as I need to take medicine. Last but not least, on behalf of the 8 children - thank you to all who have given so generously and kindly to make their Raya a more cheerful one.

At the end of the day, I think I speak for Puan Kamariah and myself that both of us felt very glad and contented. to see the happy smiles of the children when they carried their new clothings back to their living quarters at the Pondok.