By Zakiah Senin
I once knew a volunteer named Laila (not her real name). She served under a volunteer organisation, while at the same time working freelance as a caregiver for the elderly.
In the past, Laila worked in a factory. Her marriage did not last; she was divorced by her husband while pregnant with her third child. The trial was severe.
She had to raise her two other children alone, without family support, because her marriage had never been approved by them.
One day, as she prepared to go to work, she had only RM2.00 left in her hand. She pleaded with her family to lend her just RM1.00 more, but her request was ignored.
Seven months pregnant, she was forced to walk six kilometres to the bus stop that would take her to the factory with only RM2.00. Along the way, she sobbed uncontrollably, her body weak and her heart heavy.
At the bus stop, an elderly woman selling crackers quickly rose to help her, worried about her frail condition. In her tears, Laila unintentionally poured out all the pain that weighed on her heart.
The old woman looked at her and offered advice: “After you give birth, try to start a small business. You must be strong. You must be patient. Your children are still small. They depend only on you.”
After giving birth, Laila began selling crackers with capital secretly given by her father. At the same time, she took on various jobs to increase her income. One of them was working as a caregiver in a private nursing home.
Her diligence and determination quickly helped her master the skills of caring for the elderly. Eventually, she decided to work freelance.
Her perseverance bore fruit. Laila now earns a satisfying monthly income. Her financial burdens have eased, and the problems that once piled up have gradually faded away.
She often receives gifts from employers, including overseas holidays. The greatest gift of all —a car, given after just nine days of work — something she had never even dreamed of!
Laila is grateful; her life has changed for the better. Yet she remains a loving daughter and sister, still caring for her family, even though the memory of that single ringgit continues to linger in her heart. That in itself speaks volumes about her disposition and character.
The Wisdom of Patience
This is the wisdom of Laila’s patience. Patience taught her to soothe her own heart, strengthen her mind and emotions, stand firm, and deepen her faith that she still has God to whom she can pray and place her hopes.
Indeed, as stated in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:155): “And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient.”
So it is with us, as volunteers and as human beings: trials will surely come, sometimes like relentless waves crashing upon us. Yet as long as the ship of our life anchors firmly on patience, we will not be easily swept away even when storms rage.
I believe that patience calms the soul, strengthens conviction, and ensures we remain steadfast in steering our course.
And when the storm subsides, we will rise more mature and courageous, sailing forward with confidence toward our destined shore.
(This reflection on volunteerism, a principle close to my heart, is also contained in my book Suka Rela Sukar Lawan, published by Dewan Bahasa Pustaka in 2024.)
Zakiah Senin is a steadfast volunteer of Yayasan SALAM Malaysia, an NGO that has been dedicated to volunteerism in Malaysia for the last 30 years.