22/03/2026
Hari Raya with a difference
Among my programs that are clients' favourites are , Essential Oil Blending, Perfume making, Soap Making and Lip balm making. Most of my sessions are for programs at corporates or student at schools.
This year is a bit different.
Two weeks ago, the client asked me if I can do it on 22nd March. That's 2nd day of Hari Raya, I thought. The client continued, some of their residents can't go home.
I don't have the heart to say no.
The residents at Pertapis Centre for Women and Girls are aged between 12-21 years old. The girls I met today are teenagers. They are children referred by MSF. Some are abuse cases. So these girls may not have a safe home to go back to to celebrate Hari Raya.
My brother, Yus, assisted in the session today, and my friend Zan and his mom sponsored Nasi sambal goreng and bubble tea. We later found out that their menu would have otherwise been prata for today.
The night before the program, I was packing and my daughters asked where was I going to teach the next day. I shared with them the situation. My daughters also wanted to help. My 7 yo helped pack goodie bags and my 9yo crafted clay toys. The beneficiaries loved them.
I'm grateful to my girlfriends for the duit raya contribution. Initially I was planning to give a token amount for each resident who can't go home. With all combined gifts, each girl is getting a much more substantial amount. Alhamdulillah. The staff will help save in the girls' bank accounts for future use, just as how most parents also save our kids' raya ang pao.
The staff told us that most members of the public only know the children's and elderly homes. But the women's and girls home is often overlooked.
When we were leaving, the girls salam (shake hands with) me. Two of them wanted to hug me. The staff told me that the girl who first asked for a hug tried calling her home more than 20 times. No one picked up. My heart breaks for her and all the girls.
I really respect the staff, whom the girls affectionately call mummy, who has been working with the home for 18 years. This is my first time with them and I hope we can make this a yearly thing to make the days enjoyable for these young ladies, especially Hari Raya.
Having lived abroad for 15 years and sometimes having to spend Hari Raya without family, I can really say that I can understand the feeling. It's not just emphasizing. I've walked the steps.
But for me, I know I have a home that I am always welcomed to return to. These kids may not have that option. Not all of them.
After raya, we are going to do other enrichment programs for the girls. We are still canvassing sponsorship.
We can't help everyone. But we hope our little effort can make a little difference to a few of them to make their lives a bit better.
Wishing all my family and friends Selamat Hari Raya, Maaf zahir batin. May all our ibadah be accepted. Aamiin. ❤️
