Of pisang abu, jagung rebus and Sofie's children

With limited time and so many things to do at home in the morning before I go to my office, I usually can't settle too many things in a day. Mana nak mesin rumput... mana nak tebang pokok pisang... mana nak kait rambutan gading... mana nak tebas semak-samun...

I actually needed to cut down quite a few banana trees as the bananas were getting almost too ripe. Some had even been eaten by the birds...

So, no more postponing, yesterday I cut down 2 of the banana trees. I put aside some of the pisang abu for own consumption at home, while the bulk of the bananas were put in my car. My intention yesterday was to send the bananas over to Lin at her goreng pisang stall.

But later I found out Lin was not in town for the week, so the bananas spent the night in my car.

I had planned to go to Sofie's house this week to get Saiful's referral letter (for his appointment with the eye specialist at Ipoh GH), so I figured I might as well go today. SN told me last week that Saiful's presence is not necessary for an appointment to be arranged, so I thought I'd take the letter and make the necessary arrangements. My clinic duty will be next week so I intend to go to the eye clinic on the same day to arrange for Saiful's appointment.

And yes, I did go to Sofie's house today. Only Sofie, her eldest son Azlan and Saiful were home. Sofie's 2nd son Azman stays at his school hostel (in the same town), while Ika, her youngest was at school. Azlan had just sat for his PMR this week.

After getting the referral letter and a copy of Saiful's birth cert, I asked Sofie if she wanted some pisang abu. "Saya terima aje," said Sofie. I told Sofie, that since I brought quite a lot, if Sofie and her children can't finish them, she can give the bananas to her sister (the one Sofie used to stay with). Her sister earns extra income by making a variety of kuih to be sent to school canteens, so she can use the bananas to make pisang goreng or lepat pisang or cokodok or whatever other banana-based kuih to be sold.

I was happy to note that Sofie seemed much better health-wise. If previously she was always lying down whenever I visited her, this time she was well enough to go to the kitchen to make a drink for me. When I was there, Saiful too came to the front with a spoon of salt and asked his mother, "Banyak ni cukup?" "Bolehlah tu," replied his mother.

"Buat apa?" I asked.

"Rebus jagung," he said.

So yes, other than the drink prepared by Sofie, I was also served Saiful's jagung rebus.

I don't usually make it a habit to let my poor PLHIV clients serve me drinks and food (they need the food more), but when they do serve me something to eat/drink, I do make it a point to eat/drink, at least a little. I don't want them to feel as though I was afraid to eat/drink anything prepared by them. Besides, when they serve the food, it was not meant for me alone, they ate together with me. It felt more family-like, eating and drinking togeder-geder with them... :-)

Anyway, I told Sofie I intend to attend a programme up north in Kedah next Saturday. The programme, organised by my alumni, will be held at a center set up by a man who has done wonders - providing tuition, educational and recreational support for hardcore poor children.

There are various reasons I want to go for the event. Firstly, my alumni seldom organizes events outside of Klang Valley. This is the first time the event is held up north. Although there's not much difference between the Ipoh-KL and Ipoh-Kedah distance, I want to give my support so that they will continue with decentralised events in future.

Secondly, the subject is close to my heart - dealing with hardcore poor children. I hope to learn a thing or two from this man. Although I cannot implement exactly the same thing ("his children" are centered in one district while "my children" are scattered all over Perak), who knows, I may still be able to use his system as a guide to plan something in future.

Thirdly, I was hoping I'd be able to bring any of "my children" to the event. My intention? Sofie's children. Saiful was the one at home today, and so when I asked Sofie if any of her children would like to follow me, Saiful immediately said yes. And although Ika was not at home, Sofie said usually if Saiful goes anywhere, Ika would want to follow too. Sofie herself doesn't feel fit yet to travel so far, but she has no objections if the children follow me. Besides, it will be a day trip, so neither Sofie nor myself have to worry about whom the kids will be spending the night with.

So yes, God-willing, I will bring Saiful and Ika with me to Kedah next weekend.