By Zakiah Senin
In 2016, Yayasan SALAM Malaysia’s volunteers carried out a community clean‑up at a dilapidated home of an elderly couple. Before starting our work, we spent some time chatting with Pak Harun (not his real name), who was in his late 80s, and Mak Timah (not her real name), who was about 60. For the past two years, Mak Timah had been bedridden after a stroke, unable to care for herself.
As we carried out our work, we discovered a room filled with worn‑out mattresses and old belongings, its ceiling boards nearly collapsing. The room was damp, musty, and likely a nesting place for dangerous creatures. We decided to clear it out for the couple’s safety, comfort, and dignity.
Suddenly, Pak Harun stopped us.
“Don’t! That’s Along’s room. He’ll be angry. He’s coming home this weekend.”
“Are you sure he’s coming back, Pak Un?” asked Kak Azie, the neighbour who faithfully cared for Mak Timah every day.
“Yes…I know…I dreamt he was coming home,” replied Pak Harun softly.
Mak Timah’s eyes welled with tears. Kak Azie bit her lip and whispered, “They have four children. None have returned in a long time. The eldest last came two years ago.”
Oh, how heartbreaking. Even more painful was learning that all their children had succumbed to drug addiction. Truly, the burden they carried was heavier than words could describe. May Allah grant Pak Harun and Mak Timah strength, patience, and His best rewards. And may He bless the noble heart of Kak Azie, who treats them with the love and devotion of a daughter.
The Lessons of Volunteerism
As volunteers, this is the strength we gain through service. Time and again, we encounter experiences that teach us: the mistakes of others become lessons for us to improve ourselves, while their resilience inspires us to serve with sincerity.
This process nurtures our humanity, shaping a mature mind, a healthy way of thinking, and a more refined character. As Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
(My reflections on volunteerism — principles close to my heart—are also shared in my book Suka Rela Sukar Lawan, published by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka in 2024. For inquiries, contact zakiahsenin@gmail.com.)
Zakiah Senin is a senior volunteer with Yayasan SALAM Malaysia, an NGO dedicated to volunteerism in Malaysia for the past 30 years.