It had been quite a while since I went to visit my clients. That’s one reason I don’t like being the chairperson of Buddies… I seem to have less time for home-visits and need to spend more time on admin matters.
After the PMR exams were over recently, I decided to check on some of the children under sponsorship. I remember the late Sofie’s son, Saiful, was supposed to sit for his PMR this year. The last time I went to visit him and his little sister at their aunt’s house, I was aware that Saiful had sort of lost interest in his studies. According to the aunt, sometimes Saiful would skip school just because he felt too lazy to go. He even mentioned that he’d quit school after PMR.
Seeing that his interest lies in the vocational line, I suggested that he applies for vocational school in form four. He seemed excited about it. I did advise him that whatever it was, he must sit for his PMR first.
Usually the aunt would inform me of any updates on the kids. But since I haven’t been getting any updates from her, I thought things were going well.
When it was announced that applications to vocational schools in form 4 for next year was already open online, I decided to check on Saiful to make sure he doesn’t miss the deadline. I sent a text message to the aunt asking if Saiful was still keen to go to a vocational school in form four. Her reply shocked me…
“nak masuk vokasional mcm mana, pmr pun tak ambik.”
When I asked why the boy didn’t sit for his PMR, finally the aunt told me that Saiful had run away from home. Apparently he had been playing truant too often, the aunt scolded him. After the scolding, he simply left home and didn’t come back.
I had always given extra attention to children’s education in my voluntary work. So it’s rather frustrating facing cases like Saiful’s. Before this, his older brother Azman didn’t utilise the opportunity given to him at the culinary school. But at least their eldest brother, Azlan is happy doing his certificate course in IKM and had even expressed his intention to continue up to diploma level.
I can’t expect 100% positive results. I can only try to assist the families, especially the children…
2 comments:
Most of us only have that much we can do, and when something goes wrong behind our back the feeling is aweful. 'If only I had the time to follow up, this would not have happened.' I often lament that way when it involves a poor child who should not have been left to drift away without basic education.It is a pity your administrative work takes you away from what you are good at and you truly love to do
Loved reading tthis thanks
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