Managing a community kitchen for war‑affected families in the remote regions of Afghanistan left a profound emotional impact on Norashikin Abdul Latiff.
Having seen how the conflict left deep psychological scars on the people, including children, she was moved to write The Olive Tree That Remembered, a children’s picture book that delivers a message of peace.
The story is written from the perspective of an ancient olive tree that has stood through generations.
It bears witness to the passage of time, from an era of peace through the devastation of war to the gradual reunification of a community.
“Many of the children were so traumatised by the conflict that they would scream and run away whenever strangers approached – even though we had come only to offer humanitarian aid.
“The horrors of war left lasting emotional scars on them.
“When I returned home, I realised the importance of peace and empathy is a message we must share with our own children as early as possible,” said Norashikin, who is director of corporate communications at Yayasan Restu.
The mother-of-five believes that awareness of human suffering should be nurtured from pre-school years so children grow up valuing peace.
She also expressed concern that repeated exposure to news about wars, disasters, bullying and human suffering could gradually dull children’s emotional responses.
“What once seemed shocking can eventually become normal in their eyes.
“That is one of the reasons I chose to publish a printed book instead of a digital one, to encourage children to put their gadgets away for a while and read.
“As parents and as a society, we may not be able to shield children from every harsh reality in the world but we can help them understand those realities with wisdom, empathy and compassion.”
Through the book, Norashikin hopes to introduce children to the universal values of kindness, resilience, hope, peace and humanity, without delving into politics.
She told Bernama that every aspect of the book, from its dimensions to its colour psychology, was thoughtfully designed to help children stay focused while creating opportunities for parent-child reading.
“Education is not only about preparing children for examinations; it is about preparing them for life.
“Children who learn empathy today will become adults who build stronger families, more compassionate communities and a more peaceful world tomorrow,” she said.
She added that proceeds from the sale of the book would be channelled into global humanitarian efforts, including relief programmes and free healthcare initiatives for refugees in Malaysia.
Priced at RM69, the book is available at Restu Shop outlets in Shah Alam and Putrajaya, and Twigs Bookshop.
To date, more than 600 copies have been sold, reaching readers as far as Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Australia, Canada and Brazil, she said.
A Bahasa Melayu edition is currently being printed and will be available locally soon.
