Merdeka Tribute: Come Home Anis Nadia 8:16 AM

August 2015.

This year, we will celebrate our nation's 58th independence day. Due to the political and economical instability, and the many calamaties that has befallen our beloved nation, it feels that the spirit of Merdeka has dampen in the hearts of Malaysians. Instead of being proud of our nation like we used to be, ironically now we are the very ones who are bashing the name of our country.

Let's take a step back in time, back to the years of our very first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman. I heard this story today, told by the 'Flying Doctor', Datuk Dr. M. Jagethesan, who is a national athlete back in the 60s and amazingly he is also a medical doctor. I did not recognize him when he went on stage, but it turns out that he was once dubbed as the fastest man in Asia, representing Malaysia in the Olympics. 

He told us of his fondest memories of Tunku Abdul Rahman. When he was thirteen and studying in Singapore, he took a train to come back to see Malaysia's Declaration of Independence. He said that when Tunku raised his hands and shouted "Merdeka!" shivers went down his spine, and that the moment a nation is born will be one that one will never forget in his whole life.

That moment, he made a promise to himself that one day, he will make the world stand up, and raise the Malaysian Flag, and play the national anthem as he stands at the podium. And he did. He won the gold medal eleven times in various competitions, and that is something that Malaysia can be proud of.

***

I came upon this article today, entitled "Dear 20-Something Malaysian, Don't Abandon Ship, Home Needs You". The title itself is self explanatory, but how many of us actually feel the same way as the author?

I've travelled to many places, both urban modern countries and those poorer ones too. And having seen all of it, the good, the bad, I think that we still have a lot to be grateful for. Having spent three years living in a third world country, I can say so with much confidence. Eventhough a lot of people choose to migrate, for example to Australia, because of the better opportunities there, I still feel that home is where we should be. For me, at least that's the way it ought to be.

Travel the world, get as much knowledge and expertise as we can. And then come home, to where it is needed the most. 

Come home with open eyes and a broader mind that can change things.

Come home with a bigger heart and a helping hand.

Come home, simply because, if we don't, who else will?

"Merdeka, Merdeka, Merdeka!"

13th August 2015, 11.13pm

1) The Flying Doctor: Datuk Dr M.Jegathesan : 

http://malaysiansunited.blogspot.com/2009/01/flying-doctor-datuk-dr-mjegathesan.html?m=1

2) Dear 20-Something Malaysian, Don't Abandon Ship, Home Needs You.

https://vulcanpost.com/336581/dear-20-something-malaysian/

Spreading the Love, Healing the World Anis Nadia 5:35 PM

I started joining Yalla Foundation when I was in my second year at Alexandria. My first time being seeing Yalla at work was during the Peadiatrics Day at the Shatby Children's Hospital. I took a lot of pictures of the kids and I realised it made me very happy inside.

I then messaged the admin of Yayasan Yalla on FB and from that moment on I was a Yalla Ranger which was one of the best things that happened to me in my life.

The thing about Yalla is that we were a group of like minded and strong willed people who were driven to do charity work. I always look forward to our gatherings because it always felt like meeting my own brothers and sisters rather than co-workers.

I learnt a lot seeing how the Yalla projects are carried out: the planning and financing, donations, buying the stuff and doing the accounting of our expenditures. Though I never really lead a project there, but through observations I managed to improvise and manage my own branch of Yalla charity now.

I suppose my involvement in debate, photography and being a Yalla ranger back during my early years helped me prepare to lead Yalla Malaysia today. Most of the time I manage most of the things myself; planning and arranging the events and meetings, media stuff like making posters and videos, and the accounts. Though I am very glad to have my Malaysian rangers with me, especially Lily who have been helping me a lot with requiting new members. And Kak Timah who has always been close to me in Alex has always been supportive of since back then till this very day.

Now, I've managed to handle 5 projects and alhamdulillah, when we started from zero, I feel that now we have something to be proud of. The two hardest part for me so far; gaining people's trust and the funding. Back in Alex Yalla is very well known; here people keep asking me if Yalla is from Thailand. Oh my. But all the charity homes welcomed us with open arms and it has been a very pleasant experience for me so far, alhamdulillah. 

Regarding the funding, most of the activities earlier came mostly from close fanily and friends. Alhamdulillah now by Kak Timah's hard work we have received quite a sum of money under Dana Khas of Kedah State Goverment. And even better news is that we've received quite a number of sponsors for our 5th project and some others have approached us for the next one, insyaAllah. All thanks to my family friend Shah Jehan who has helped to find the sponsors for our programme.

Things are looking very well for Yalla Malaysia now, and I hope the road after this will be even better, InsyaAllah. I plan to do charity work till I'm old and grey, and I hope my own litte family will learn to spread the love and heal this world, too.

I wish for enough time to see the world, and enough love to heal it.

Ameen ya rabb.