the story of Aceh...

Initially, I had difficulties deciding whether i should go to Aceh but now that I'm back, I absolutely had no regrets watsoever. In fact, I will not think twice should the opportunity arise again for me to pay that land yet another visit. From the start I knew I had to brace myself for the challenges in store for me, but at the same time, I also knew that these ordeals will only make me a stronger individual without a doubt. Afterall, i told myself to accept everything thrown into my path with patience, otherwise i would just keep mum.

As expected, i felt surreal on board Adam Air heading to Aceh along with the Aspirimites and Pak Ade'. It hadn't realy sank into me that I was going BACK to Aceh, this time, alone, no mum, no sis no cousin. Surrealism was further enhanced when I reached Aceh and seeing Pak Salman drive that same old blue van. My heart smiled. It is back to where it belongs...

Our first day in Aceh was spent sightseeing the affected areas and feasting on their local delicacies. Needless to say, we were not prepared for what was in store for us. Still, we went round and round Banda Aceh.

We reached the girls' dorm close to Maghrib and I was very disappointed I din get to meet the boys. Just before darkness blanketed in, my day lit up all so suddenly when Yazid appear at the doors of the girls' dorm; his usual routine of picking up dinner for the boys. I think we were both so happy to see each other we did not exchange much conversation.

Our first ordeal was the darkness that we, or rather, i truly did not expect. Electricity was cut and practically the whole night was plunged into pitch black. We survived on candles for our introduction, dinner, wash-up, solat and unpacking. While bathing that night, I was battling with mr. candle and chanting "dont die on me! dont die on me!"

Where was my torchlight u ask? hah! no batteries la sila! Ironically the lights came to at 2 am in the morning when all is fast asleep. it is times like these when phrases like "Alhamdulillah" *Praises to Allah* took on a whole new meaning...

We slept on the hard ground. I just couldnt sleep. The winds were howling one second and the next i hear frogs croaking, the doors creaked and the windows kept banging. As if the sound effects were not enough, shadows were playing its movie and the mind ran on wild imaginations...

5 am and I was up and about with the girls for their timely subuh prayers. Still in the dark. I tried my darnest to keep strong but the tears broke thru when i found out they have been living like that the past month. Tell me how do they survive when there's no electricity, no light, no water. But let me quote what one of them told me, "Mendapat kesenangan saya senyum, ditimpa musibah saya redha..."

Children of heaven, that's what i call them, for their strength and resilience.

Tell me, which of you can stay strong when you see your own mother being swallowed by the black black waves?

Who can stay strong when you see your father being tortured to death in front of your eyes?

Who can stay strong when you found your sister's torso stuck in between rubble?

Who can stay strong living alone at the age of 12?

i cannot imagine myself in that position but i learn a lot from these kids...from their eagerness to learn, from how keen they can be when given a task no matter how little the resources and from just their smiles of satisfaction that they never expected anything in return...

I never realised I have so many places for so many of them in my heart. Seeing them again was simply, a dream come true. Now, still, I see them in my sleep, I think of them everyday.

Fajar Hidayah has impacted me in ways i cannot describe.

I have more to share, of my near-death experience and my sightings...but until the next entry, i leave you with this pic where the kids do their daily morning Quran memorising.