By Nor Zakian Senin
Once upon a time, I was entrusted with the task of serving a marginalised community in Kuala Lumpur. They were people living on the edges of society — drug users, sex workers, former prisoners, the homeless, and those burdened with problems so heavy that they had lost their sense of direction.
In reaching out to them, my fellow volunteers and I had to uphold certain principles of service. Chief among them was the need to be open-hearted.
The idea is much like the spirit of Hari Raya, when visiting one another — neighbours, friends, and family — is at the very heart of the celebration.
And so, the doors of our homes were opened wide. As hosts, opening the door was the first gesture of welcome, followed by warmth, acceptance, and appreciation for whoever stepped inside.
But what happens if the door remains tightly shut? Guests would hesitate and be unsure — are they unwelcome? Is the host resting? Or simply they’re not at home?
Worse still, imagine seeing someone inside but receiving no response to a greeting. The guest would leave with hurt feelings, perhaps even vowing never to return.
That is the parable of a volunteer who lacks openness, or worse, has no intention of helping at all. Such insincerity cannot be hidden — what lies in the heart shows plainly on the face.
And the marginalised, having endured years of rejection, humiliation, and prejudice, are quick to sense that!
Their hearts are fragile, easily wounded, or hardened by bitter experience. They will withdraw, or shut the door on anyone whose expression or behaviour carries even a hint of judgment.
This is why, as volunteers, we must gently persuade our hearts to do good without condition. Such openness becomes the first signal to those seeking help or offering cooperation. It is a reflection of the volunteer’s character — friendliness, welcoming body language, acceptance of people as they are, and appreciation of differences.
These qualities ease every interaction. They also enrich us, offering new experiences, lessons, and perspectives that broaden our minds and deepen our maturity in weighing the impact of situations.
I recall joining the late Mohd Arei Kamaruddin, a dedicated staff member of Yayasan SALAM Malaysia who often led outreach missions in the city. I listened closely as he spoke to the volunteers:
“Be open. Do not look down on others, do not be prejudiced, and do not judge too quickly. Only then will we adapt easily, and only then will they accept us. We must realise that, in truth, there is no difference between us and them. The only distinction lies in opportunity.
“God has blessed us with good opportunities — a supportive family, a safe environment, good friends, education, and work. These blessings shape our judgment and stability.
“Alhamdulillah, we have been granted so much goodness. But many of them have never had such opportunities. So be grateful. Show that gratitude by helping them.
“They will draw closer to us if they see our openness and acceptance. Who knows? Perhaps our presence today may be the very opportunity that changes their lives.”
This reflection on volunteerism — a principle close to my heart — is also shared in my book Suka Rela Sukar Lawan, published by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka in 2024. For inquiries, please don’t hesitate to contact zakiahsenin@gmail.com.
Zakiah Senin is a volunteer with Yayasan SALAM Malaysia, an NGO dedicated to volunteerism in Malaysia for over 30 years.