Hikmah Tsunami

i've always restricted myself from unleashing my innermost thoughts or feelings of angst in my blog, because I know, at the end of the day, I'd have regretted my actions or worse, bear the consequences. So, I always choose to keep mum about events that make me feel like erupting or confined me of my rights. I am like that.

I knew, some time back, I probably had no control of how words were quickly typed out and published, I may have hurt people out there. because, when you're angry, you're not rational. Worse, when the syaitans are free from them chains. or when u're on pms. worst, when it's a combination of both. reserve me the last option.

BUT, when it comes to the well-being of the Aceh kids, I get edgy when they're not treated the way they should be. It pains my heart when the tiniest or simplest thing of not giving them food pissed me off. It angered me that the cameraman made them do the dikir when they clearly did not learn the steps. Why must the Chinese minister and his troop of guests get the food first and the kids got the leftovers? Why must the journalists be entertained first when you know the kids were sleep-deficient the night before? Even when they were about to partake in the food fiesta, some had to take five for an interview. don't even get me started on how Pak Nusa was treated.

the trapped heat within that canvas canopy did not help at all. ho hum.

we had a choice. but we did not do anything. authorities. authorities. authorities.

of course, I couldn't do anything. I wasn't in power to do so. I only managed to serve them drinks only to find them deported to the side and lined up to meet and greet the minister.

you see, the thing with these kids is that they're nice. really nice. they wont say that they're tired or hot or hungry or sleepy. even when u ask, they said no, because they dont want to hurt our feelings. dont want us to feel bad. but from their faces you can tell the weariness. hence, i dont like it when they're taken advantage of. they never made me feel like that in Aceh.

I got to meet one of the foster parents who were taking the kids home. She was nice and she treated Dara like her own daughter cuz she has no children. Lucky for her. I didn't see the rest of the foster parents because I don't wanna form opinions or pass unfair judgements of how they will treat these kids. Let's just pray the kids thoroughly enjoy their stay.

Now, that brings me to the other topic. Rai, are you obsessed with these kids or what??? call it obsession, call it whatever you want. I choose to believe it's love. simple. true love. the kind where you go all out, or do anything for their sake...

Other than that, there are more than enough reasons to the neverending rattle about my Aceh kids. You may not know these, but their doa are the most makbul doa I've experienced. their presence only made me feel calm and gave me confidence of the looming obstacles.

You may not know that when I wanted to leave Aceh last June, a few of them prayed, in front of me to fall sick so that I could prolong my stay with them. and true enough, be it due to exhaustion or whatever, I was sick just the next day.

When they were here in Singapore, I had to bring home 4 kids, 5 teachers, Ita, Pi and Athin home from the zoo. Imagine the number of taxis we had to take and the cost! and I only had $50. How could I possibly had enough at that peak hour? 13 people. I was at my wits end. Just as we were walking to the taxi stand, a van nearby called out and asked where I was going and offered to send all of us back to my place at $25. instantly, I felt the divine intervention. and here's the catch. the van driver? An indian guy called RAI. *shrugs*

My mom had to cook for these 13 ppl and more on that fateful day. She had less than three hours. and she did it in two. with two hands at that. I dono how she did it but when it's for a good course, Allah makes it easy for you, no?

I don't want to list all the things that make me stay true to this commitment. it's more than enough to show you and those in askance how the kids of FH change my life. Ask those who have been there. they know.

well, because of yesterday's unfortunate event, I hope all the foster parents make light their hearts and pardon our shortcomings, especially during the delay to take the kids home to celebrate Eid. I hope they treat them all well, because there are other families DYING to spend time with these kids.

and I am grateful to the organisers who had successfully brought the kids down to experience Hari Raya in a different environment. I know it was tough to handle, esp from the Indonesian side. It wasn't easy to settle the paperwork for the kids to come here. A hassle, but you made it possible. for a common goal, a common love.

THANK YOU!

and once again, on this blessed day, I seek your forgiveness should I have interpreted your intentions wrongly or said things that I did not mean to say. Let all these mistakes serve as future lessons.

Afterall, the Tsunami has happened for a reason. An ukhuwah between two lands. let us not severe these ties because of our own ugly differences...

Meanwhile, enjoy ur second day of Raya y'all!