How Can We Help?

I cannot help but to acknowledge, part of the reason why Malaysia is not taking in Rohingya refugees only recently is that we had the responsibility and obligation to take care of these refugees in our country all this while, but we chose to be ignorant towards their existence and their cries for help. Last year, Small Changes (the NGO I'm working with) raised funds for Carefugees; an NGO that helps to feed refugees every year. Not only that, we also hope that we could raise awareness as well by calling refugees from Syria, Myanmar etc to be part of our event and share their side of story by which only if they're willing to. Not only was it unbearable, but their call for help will never end as they are stateless. They have no rights to jobs or education. Moving onto today..

The motive of this post is to sort of give you a couple of ideas on'
'How you guys can help and contribute in helping these refugees?'

1. Sign the petitions!
On 15 May 2015, Malaysia’s Deputy Home Minister Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar was quoted as saying: “We have to consider what our people want to see us doing.”
There a few websites that put up petitions that needs your support by signing yourself up for it !
i. http://www.thepetitionsite.com/250/235/804/rescue-the-rohingyas/
ii. https://www.change.org/p/h-e-le-luong-minh-asean-member-states-government-of-malaysia-save-the-migrants-asylum-seekers-stranded-at-sea?recruiter=7666896&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=autopublish&utm_term=des-lg-share_petition-no_msg
Those are a few websites that was shared among my colleagues, so sign before its too late and let's hope changes will take place !

2. Volunteer at UNHCR Malaysia
A good friend of mine interned at UNHCR Malaysia last year and said much help; no matter what skills you have, is much appreciated ! You can help by teaching these kids as they have no rights to education, provide them skills to sustain themselves and lots more. No harm just by signing yourself up although you may not know how much you are of help @ http://www.unhcr.org.my/Volunteers-@-Volunteers.aspx 
I just registered myself, and hoping that I myself would spare time and energy to support them as well over my Summer break 

3. Support NGOs
There are a few NGOs in Malaysia that are and have been a helping hand to the asylum seekers settling in our beloved country. Do support them by giving them funds or even attend their events. Here's a couple of these NGOs:
1. Carefugees (http://carefugees.org/ )
2. Rohingya Society of Malaysia [RSM] ( http://rohingyasocietyinmalaysia.org/ )
3. UNHCR (not to forget!) 
4. Shelter Home ( http://www.shelterhome.org/index.cfm?menuid=23 )
and recently;
'Rakyat4rakyat' also collaborated with 'Food Aid Foundation' to provide food aid and life jackets 

4. Purchase from Rohingya businesses
In Selayang's Pasar Borong, the Rohingya's are trying their best at making an honest living by selling groceries and vegetables (Not only that, I heard that they're cheaper too!)

5. Be Creative & Spread the awareness !
The change comes from you, and it has to start today. The society has to stop being ignorant on the ones in need in Malaysia (And am not only referring to the refugees). Spread the awareness now, that these people need your help. Organize events, raise funds anyway you like, as long as the message is out there. That we need to help each other cause,
'The moment we stop fighting for each other, that is the moment when humanity is lost' 

Special thanks to all my good friends and colleagues (especially from Small Changes MY) for spreading the idea and many ways on how we can contribute as a community. Let us give a helping hand. And let's start today.

'I do not own rights to all ideas, pictures or videos in this post' 

Mother's Love

The strongest spirits in the world lies within our own mothers. 

Since 2002, my mother discretely collected bits of her thoughts on how she felt since her mother passed away. And only after 8 years, did she decide to share it with us through her Facebook. Here's a repost from your page ma. As the world should know how beautiful and amazing a mother's love is. 

There is no bigger love than a mother's love. 

Just imagine from the day a mother finds out that she's carrying her child in her womb. How happy a mother feels, to know that she is carrying a child of her own. From that day, she knew that she will have to take good care of herself, as it is good for the child. Though sometimes she does not like to eat something, but she still had to do it, for her child.

On the day the you were born that is the most happiness day of her life. The minute she sees you, she drops tears of happiness without realizing it.

Many love comes and goes but not mother's love, even until the moment you have a family of your own. 

Mother's love is unconditional.

There is no end to it, until the day she closes her eyes forever.

She will do anything for her child from day 1 till the very end.

She hides her sad feelings and will always try to smile even in bad times.

Sometimes, when your mother is no longer in this world, then only would you realize that you really miss her and you really want her.

You will miss her so much.

Sometimes you want to tell or share your happy and sad moments. Those moments when you need a shoulder to cry on,  to tell something personal to someone, which sometimes you can't even tell it to your husband.

Sometimes when you want to tell about your child's achievement, you can't tell it to your friend or even to your sister, cause some may say that you're boasting about it, but if you tell it to your mother, she can share the joy n happiness. Oh god, how I wish she is still around. Love you always mom.

Happy Mother's Day to all :)

Written by:

Rogaya Ahmad

'All I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother'

I love you Ma. Never have I failed to shed a tear whenever I think of how amazing and blessed I am with your love. Ps, I sort of accidentally fell asleep right after you called me to wake up for Subuh to study this morning so am feeling super guilty. Hehehe. Love you ! 

Edited by : Eniza Ellias 

A Reminder ; From the Heart of Today for the Heart of Tomorrow

I cannot help but feel stupid.
That I live everyday forgetting how cruel the world is,
And that every second I chose to be ignorant,
Someone out there is suffering,
A child is possibly dying.

I feel so helpless,
That no matter how much I lend a helping hand,
It will seem as if its never enough,
It will never be enough.

That the many times I spent falling in love,
Could have been spent by loving others,
Who deprive for such love more,
Those who never felt as if they were loved before.

When I choose to go against my parents,
A child out there wishes,
That they were waking up to goodnight wishes,
From their parents that they wished they'd known who.

The stuff I buy,
The branded goods I get,
Only to impress this materialistic world,
Which I don't really need them,
To make me happy.

The times I spend with my peers,
Laughing and giggling around,
Criticizing other people,
When the people I should be criticizing is myself,
Am I a good person enough to be talking about other people's weaknesses ?

Open your eyes,
You're living such a comfortable life,
And your surroundings might look as great,
But these things you have and posses,
Are only to fool you.

Don't be foolish,
You keep on killing yourself with that over confident of yours,
That you're a good person, a great person,
That you're a strong person, possibly stronger than anyone else,
Just cause you thought you've been through alot in life,
When the real strong people,
Are the ones living out there, in the world of reality,
The world of poor and hunger.

I could have lived a life in modesty,
I could still choose to do so,
But dear heart of tomorrow,
That often forgets about compassion,
Please come back to your conscience,
And not to give into the thoughts and temptations of this cruel world.

Allah, give me strength and humility.
From wasting my time,
To do the right thing.

And this was definitely not part of my plan,

Hi and Salam guys,
This post is a bit personal and close to heart.
But I felt like I needed to write about it to clear some of your thoughts upon my recent event,
Of my decision in occasionally wearing and not wearing my scarf. 

It definitely came out of plan. I've never planned to be one of those girls who does the 'wear and not wear scarf situations'. And hopefully this has nothing to do with my believe and preach towards Allah has been decreasing although 'iman' is never constant; it often goes up and down like life itself. 

I've decided that under certain circumstances, I would choose not to wear my scarf. For instance, when I'm about to travel alone or go for adventures and things that would acquire it to be easier for me not to wear it so. It's definitely not due to peer pressure or trying to look attractive. Some things are just better off experienced without the scarf although I am up for the challenge to wear it still sometimes. It gets pretty hard to explain but I guess some things are better off explained through self experience [not like I'm encouraging you to open your scarf]. Heh.

But if I don't wear it all the time, then "What's the purpose of wearing it occasionally still sometimes? Might as well not wear it riight?"

I wear it as often as I can. I don't expect the whole society to accept me as who I am but 'People are going to judge you no matter what you do. So, might as well do as you wish or think whats best for you'. Just cause I do some sins still, doesn't mean I do not have the rights to wear my scarf still and be a proud muslim. Are you denying that you make sins as well and does that stops you from wearing your scarf? Beyond that, I do see myself permanently wearing it once I've started settling down after uni so this phase of life for me would most likely be temporary for just a couple of years. No worries, I still don't drink or suddenly do drugs. I still try my best to eat Halal food and pray 5 times a day. I still pray that my believe and strength towards practicing my religion would grow stronger. 

What about posting pictures with it ? 

I feel like sharing my experience with my friends, family and the public. And I have the rights to do so :) even my parents are cool with it so yeah 

Its definitely not something that I am completely proud off but it is definitely something I wanna do just for this couple of years till I properly settle down. Please note that this post is never intended to encourage any of you to not wear your hijab. It would be really great if your iman is strong enough or even stronger than mine to wear it all the time, despite any temptations 'dunya' has offered you. I do apologise for any misunderstandings and I do admit I do not represent myself as a good muslim but insyaAllah within time and prayers, I will be better. Salam.