Pak Ade ku sayaaang...

Honestly, it felt surreal having to hear news that Pak Ade was in town and what more see him in person. I felt I was brought back to Aceh, back at the rumah gedek (big house). There were attempts to meet him for dinners and what nots but we finally met on Saturday at the Aceh showcase, where he was, of course, the limelight of the day. Needless to say, Pak Ade was charming, in his FH uniform and those natural hazel eyes.

As we sat and chatted about the developments for the kids, he mentioned that by the end of this year, the contract they had for the current building in Banda Aceh will expire. They're rushing to raise funds to buy a piece of land. A square metre will cost S$50 and e amt of land needed is 20 000 sq metres. So, I'm calling out to all those who are interested to build your house in akhirah to donate in kind for the orphans of Aceh. At this moment, they have only 4 rooms to house 140 kids, of which these rooms are their classes for the day and then become their bedrooms at night. Worst case scenario will see these kids transported all the way to Jakarta.

It was heartwarming to hear that these kids are planting hopes to see the world outside Aceh. Some said, "Pak, saya udah nabung ni...kapan bisa saya ke Singapur?" (Pak, I've started saving, when can i go to Singapore?)

Pak Ade, himself was born in Padang, lived in Jakarta and served for Aceh. No difference in colour, race or religon should hinder one from doing good. For that, I really admire him. It was not only his plans for Aceh, his witty sense of humour but also, his big BIG heart.

In short, Pak Ade, i love...and all the teachers of Fajar Hidayah. May Allah bless all that you've sacrificed.