Sacrificing Time And Energy For Love Of Volunteerism

By Aishah Mohmad Afandi KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 1 (Bernama) -- Taking long leave and at times unpaid, forfeiting their own comfort and sacrificing their time and energy to help those in need has been the routine of three best friends who took up volunteering since five years ago. Businessman Talhah Talib, 35, and his buddies, scripwriter Faiz Qayyuum Abd Majid, 27, and part-time teacher Iffah Thinin, 25, have been actively involved in humanitarian work nationwide. Every time a natural disaster hits Malaysia, the trio will be on the ground assisting those in need of help. Talhah, who is also a mountain climber, said he started his volunteering work in 2012 when he and several of his friends were hiking up the Yong Belar Mountain, which is part of the Titiwangsa Range, when they came to know about the big flood in Kemaman, in the east coast state of Terengganu. They decided to assist by using their own funds to buy essential items badly needed by the flood victims in Kemaman, and that incident spurred his interest in volunteerism, he told Bernama. Talhah said he met Faiz and Iffah in 2014 while volunteering during the flood disaster in Kelantan, where they stayed in the worst affected area for a month, helping those in need. "During the 2014 Tanah Merah flood disaster, we were the first ones to reach the area with aid. It wasn’t easy, but we managed to go in," said Talhah. For Faiz, the 2014 experience was a tough one which taught them the true value of humanity. "I learned so much and since then, I continued to be directly involved in humanitarian work. We saw their homes, vehicles and livelihood destroyed. It was even hard to get clean water and food," he said. He said most of their volunteer activities were self-funded, and he did not mind sacrificing what he had for those affected by floods, adding that they were always lucky that there were many kind souls willing to contribute. "Most of the time, we just receive texts informing that a certain amount (of money) had been transferred, receive transfer receipts and sometimes by hand. We never really asked, but they gave out of sincerity," said Talhah. As for Iffah, being a woman in the group had its benefits because she could assist women in need as they felt more comfortable receiving help from another woman. "Women by nature are shy, especially mothers with kids. I feel better each time I manage to help those in need and will never ever give up (in assisting the needy)," she said. She said the team spirit among volunteers had always been very high despite changes in team members and locations because "everyone is ever ready to help others and this is always inspiring." For Talhah, Faiz and Iffah, on Thursday they will be heading to Segamat, Johor to give out aid to those affected by the flood disaster there. -- BERNAMA