I could sense from the start that it was different than usual. But little did I expect it would eventually turn out to be THIS special and dear to me. Perhaps it's true that once you've met something/someone nice, you just got to spend more time with the person, and soon all the more good qualities will you see and learn about them. That's how I'm exactly feeling about my time with Apex - it just gets better! or so it seems after reaching my 2nd year =)
Right from the beginning when I met my 2010 batch of kids there were already soo much to smile about. Times were peppered with many delightful instances; like how my little girls already wanted to hold my hands during the first session! Manja2 sayang hehe.. The boys also have their cute antics; of acting like Upin & Ipin, of one squeaking in horror when a bee flew by, and their endless teasing and wanting to sidetrack to chitchats =D Can't forget how adorable they all looked when they earned colorful star stickers for scoring good marks, or excitedly scribbling their answers on the big whiteboard, and asking me with their twinkly eyes for clorets every week.. “Kak ade gula-gula mints tu?” Oh no I hope I didn’t get them addicted to those haha!
Looking back I’m really grateful that Allah gave me this chance to teach them science and find enjoyment in it, alongside my cool co-mentors Istyana and Anuar. What’s more impactful personally is seeing before one’s eyes how kids try to learn and make sense of things.. the way they would come up to us and salaam our hands.. and getting to hear them making du'a and reciting the 99 names of Allah every morning.. subhanAllah~
So when our final gathering came with last Saturday’s Apex Irsyad Appreciates, it was a bittersweet parting to say our farewell to each other. We didn't meet for three weeks since they were having their PSLE exam, so I was very very touched when I heard "Kak Diyana!" and suddenly Sumaiyah sprang up on me with a bigggg hug! =') And it was a seriously pleasant surprise when not only did my girls each wrote me a letter, but even my three boys too! MasyaAllah my sweet adik-adik, I'm more than thankful to have met all of you =)) May you're always safe within His care and that our paths cross someday again in the future, ameen..
Equally meaningful to the whole Apex experience is to have friends like these awesome sisters and brothers! Being with them simply rub off positive vibes on me. Very motivating on keeping the right Intentions and the Niyyah of Imam al Haddad rahimahullah (shown in the collage below). But just as how their niceness and devotion are apparent, they sure have a FUNNY witty side to match! Always were there smiley moments with truckloads of laughter, while ensuring proper gender interactions.. Ahh such rare gems they are =))
I still remember one occasion when a brother shared a poem during our morning briefing: "What you spend years to build, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway." Some of us might have heard it already, but what struck me strongly was seeing him in tears, just by reciting and really feeling those lines~ Amazing!
Through Apex I’ve gained much happiness interacting with kids, and now it does spur me to think more about child development and other possibilities too. Questions hit me when I happen to see children playing by themselves at the playground.. Are they getting the support they need? How’s their upbringing like? I’ve noticed emails popping up for volunteers to help students from lower-income families.. and surely we’re very much in need of more people coming forward to assist.
How wonderful if we could ever build a strong network of youth volunteers spread across all parts of Singapore, who are driven enough to consistently nurture our younger ones from various backgrounds. Of together staying connected, to effect change through education and lasting positive relationships. Perhaps it IS possible =) Allahumma Ameen!
