Teacher Abd Rashid Abdullah, 55, teaching some students about Mathematics in a surau near his home in Johor Baru during the school holidays.
GEORGE TOWN: They are like guardian angels, sacrificing their own time to keep watch on underprivileged children without expecting financial rewards.
“These children come from broken families. Many of them are not too interested in their studies. So a lot of my time is spent on motivating them,” said R. Nirmala, 71.
For the past one year, she had been going to the Penang Shan Children’s Home about three times a week.
“But I would also drop in whenever I can to help the children with their school work,” she said, as she realised how much the children needed attention.
She spoke about a boy who did not enjoy studying and was struggling with his lessons.
“He refused to take out his books but in the past year I have seen changes in him.
“Now he enjoys school and studying. These moments make it all worthwhile,” she said.
Nirmala, who was a pre-school teacher, had attended various courses over the years which helped her communicate with the children.
“With these kids, you cannot be too authoritative. You can stand your ground but you must build a bond with them,” she said.
Former pre-school teacher R. Nirmala stressing a point to the children.
The children would view her like a mother or grandmother.
“This helps build a bond.”
Nimala is given a small token for her work but she said it was more about what she could do for the children than the money.
“I do not expect anything as I just want a better future for these kids,” she said.
As for Tan Pei Wah, she has spent the past 13 years as a volunteer teacher at Ru Yi Children’s Home.
“Not only did it change my life, but being a volunteer teacher for the children has also made me a better mother,” said the mother of two.
A tutor by profession, Tan, 39, said the home which opened in 2012 is located near her house.
“A few months after the home opened, I volunteered to teach there since I had some spare time. And I wanted to do something useful for the children who might otherwise be neglected,” she said.
Tan said the best part is seeing most of the children now pursuing further studies.
“I am proud and happy that I have made a difference in their lives as some of these children came from broken homes, while some had been abused,” she said, adding the abused youngsters had gone through traumatic times before they came to the home.
“I had to learn to communicate with them and gain their trust,” she said, adding that over the years, she had attended courses to learn to bond with them.
Tutor Tan Pei Wah having a discussion with the children.
When she first joined the home, Tan said there were only three children then.
Today, there are 10 of them, aged between nine and 22.
“It has been rewarding seeing many of them improve in their studies and even their attitude,” she said.
Tan would also educate them about the value of money.
“Recently, the home has been giving me some token of money for my services but I would find ways to return it by organising activities for the children,” she said.
She explained that she had her own income as a tuition teacher.
“That is why I want to do something for the children as they have become like my family,” she said.
In the case of Mathematics teacher Abd Rashid Abdullah, who is also the SMK Desa Cemerlang principal and Nusa Damai mosque chairman, he would offer free lessons whenever he is available, especially during school holidays.
He used to give free classes at least twice a week to students around his neighbourhood in Johor Baru.
“I have had students from all races. Some offered to pay but I would use their money to provide snacks for them.
“At one point, I had about 16 students in each class. Many of them came from poor families. I conducted the classes either at home, a nearby mosque and even online,” said Abd Rashid, 55.
However, these free classes, which he offered since 2015, winded down last year since he had limited time following his promotion to school principal.
As such, his free classes are now mostly offered during school camps in the holidays.
