Membina Kasih @ Baitul Ehsan

First of all, my apologies for not sharing the event here in the blog.. I was too busy making preparations and all for the charity sale I hardly have time to update anything in my blog. The idea to have a charity sale to raise fund instead of just collection contributions from members of the public came so sudden it was at first just a blurted out suggestion. Later I figured out that 'yes, it might just be much better than seeking contributions like people normally..' reason being, we create awareness, we inform the public in nearby neighborhood that there is a house for the less fortunate and orphanage here in Taman Maluri.

Preparations starts much much earlier.. with sharing of information through facebook as well as blogger friends. I must say that the cash we manage to raise a day before the sale was less than 4k. Not a big amount I would say. Looking at the location of Baitul Ehsan, Aizat and I were both worried if we will manage to pull enough crowd to come to our sale.

We started with applying for tent, tables and chairs from DBKL and only got the confirmation 2-3 days before the sale date. In facebook we only had 200+ people confirm attending instead of 4k++ invited. Aizat was worried.. if we will manage to get in the fund.. I said, lets just leave everything to Allah.. we try, we work it out but at the end of the day its Allah's will and we must believe that what we're doing is the right thing to do and InsyaAllah, everything will be fine.

Our real 'work' started on Monday 4th Mac 2013. We went out shopping for can drinks and other things needed for the sale. Money seems to grown big on tht day I just could not believe it. It seems like the money hardly spent.. its always there. I started to dream about having a customized tshirt for the kids the week before and in Saturday, 3rd I have got a confirmation from a friend that she will be sponsoring all the kids with tshirts!.ALHAMDULILLAH...

On Tuesday, Amran Ibrahim asked us about performance for sale and then we realize that we didnt have any sound system for the event.. The hunt begins and on Friday afternoon, just few hours before the sale I have a kind soul giving a real special price for the sound system and funds kept pouring in at the last moment as if its meant for the sound system as well as a customized donation box for Baitul Ehsan!

ALHAMDULILLAH..all in all its like eveything I plan and wish for, for Baitul Ehsan became reality.. talking about magic..

I hardly have the time to really thank all who has helped us to make all this happen. So, here it goes.

- To My beloved Mak Cik Mira, who were always there for me, for us and for everyone in Baitul Ehsan, whom despite her full schedule and very busy husband always manage to help getting things done and going out an

d about with me.

- To My beloved Mak Cik Miza whom carried her (Subhanallah Semangat betul!!) grandson along to Baitul Ehsan in the hot sun taking cab on thursday and only went home late night.

- To My mummy dearest for helping me looking after the kids

- To My dearest husband for acting as the Accountant of the day, for being neglected a day or two before the sale as I was so busy with the kids running around arranging stuff.

- To my sweety pie and beloved sister Sasha Saad who came to pick us up on thursday night after the pre-sale preparations.

- To Kak Siti Hufaidah and husband who sponsored us the lovely banner and bunting.. She is almost 9 months pregnant and she came around 11.00 pm sending those stuff to me.

- To my fellow coordinator Sya-Hanim whom despite her busy schedule still manage to help sending over some stuff to Baitul Ehsan, to Mimi Pillai for the encouragement, the purchases and for helping us on the sale day. To Marina Sulaiman who were always there for us spiritually despite her being ill with terrible cough. May Allah make everything easy for you dear (she is due end of this month so, please pray for her and her baby)

- To FKZ printing for the tshirts for the kids in Baitul Ehsan as well as the gifts for all the guardians in Baitul Ehsan, for helping us with the donation box and everything last minute

- To En. Salleh (not sure if he will be able to read this) Thank you so much for the splendid service despite a very very last minute confirmation and for coming all the way to Taman Maluri making sure all is in order tho he was suppose to be on his way to Penang 5am saturday morning.

last but not least,

TO every single person who shared the event, contributed to the event (spiritually, physically, monetary), coming to the event or even following the event through facebook.. I could not thank you enough..as I said, every single bit counts, every single word you passed on for this event counts as Allah knows what lies in out heart..

A BIG Thank you to Children, Ustaz and Ustazah, Ummi, Abuya, Aizat, Azimah and everytone in Baitul Ehsan.. truly, you don't need us but we need you to gain as much blessings as possible for Allah s.w.t.

I shall share my feelings and what was my girls respond the first time they met with Nur Izzah of Baitul Ehsan after Sarah's passing in another post. For now I think I need some rest.. not feeling right these few days. I leave all of you with some pictures taken during the event and alternatively you could have a peek at the event wall.

https://www.facebook.com/events/509751295738092/520122534700968/?notif_t=event_mall_reply

With the young girls in Baitul Ehsan.. they are all very lovable.. 

The afternoon crowd

From front, Ibu (caretaker of the boys hostel in Sungai Kertas, Gombak, Azimah and friends)

The teen girls attending bundle toys and household section.. 

The younger boys of Baitul Ehsan posing with the tshirt by FKZ Printing.

Last HUG before we left the scene on Saturday.. it was around 10pm almost

This was by far the most successful Charity Fund Raising event I have ever organized with my fellow friends in Gift of Love "GOL" group in FB. https://www.facebook.com/groups/GiftOfLoveGroup/

A group we formed more than a year ago while helping lil Qistina Balqis. 

Alhamdulillah....

A Hug of STRENGTH

It will be 3 months soon.. sometimes it feels like only yesterday.. sometimes it feels like it has been ages.. Sometimes it is so easy to smile and be happy but suddenly we cried.

Untuk saya, seorang ibu yang telah kehilangan salah seorang dari anak saya.. setiap hari adalah dugaan untuk kami.. adakalanya dugaan itu bukan sekadar dugaan menanggung rindu terhadap seorang yang lahir dari rahim saya tetapi dugaan didatangi emosi sedih yang adakalanya sukar untuk dibendung, dikawal atau dikekang.. it just came.. and it will take time to leave.

Adakalanya perasaan untuk bercakap dengan Ara yang telah tiada begitu kuat.. Walaupun kita tahu dia tak mungkin dengar tetapi adakalanya hanya itu cara mengubat rasa rindu. Itu dugaan..

Adakalanya sedang ceria berjalan di mall tiba2 sayup-sayup kedengaran lagu yang dimainkan ketika hari graduasi arwah.. 'Our universe will never be the same.. I'm glad u came'.. seolah menyimpan seribu satu makna disebaliknya dan sedang saya mengetuk papan kekunci (wah! sangat la BM nya keyboard) saya terbayang wajah manis, comel, ceria Ara yang saya make-up kan malam graduasinya.. Itu juga dugaan..

Kekuatan yang saya kumpul, yang ada, yang tinggi kemudian surut ini semuanya kurniaan Allah.. That much I believe.. Saya sangat sangat yakin, jika Allah telah menghadirkan dugaan ini untuk saya, Hanya Allah jua yang mampu membantu saya menghadapinya.. Ara menjadi jambatan untuk saya semakin dekat dengan Allah.. amin... Kekuatan yang hari ini nampak ketara di mata manusia lain hanya diketahui oleh Allah.. itu juga dugaan..

Semalam, saya bersama mak cik mira (insan yang banyak bersama suka duka, tawa dan menangis) ke Rumah Anak Yatim Baitul Ehsan. Kami pernah kesana Ramadhan yang lalu.. Sememangnya sangat indah rancangan yang Allah telah aturkan untuk saya.. Ditemukan kami dengan anak yang seiras wajahnya dengan Ara.. waktu itu kami rasa mereka seperti kembar. Izah, anak kepada Umi dan Abi, Pengasas Rumah Baitul Ehsan, mirip Ara.. Ada sekeping gambar mereka yang saya ambil Ramadhan lalu.. Umi, Abi, Aizat dan anak2 Baitul Ehsan juga ada bersama bersolat jenazah dan mengiringi Ara ke tanah perkuburan.. (terjawablah pertanyaan ramai org siapa kumpulan anak2 yang ramai2 tu :))
Jadi, semalam sebelum kesana.. dari pagi mata kanan ini berkedip2.. tak henti.. siapa pula orang jauh yang saya akan jumpa.. Well we have plans to Baitul Ehsan tapi mata berkedip belah kanan ni nak tengok orang jauh ke nak nangis? entah.. but the twitching of the eye is so irritating. I end up sleeping it off for a few hours.

Petang itu kami ke Baitul Ehsan. Perancangan asal untuk kesana bersama sahabat Syakirah Hanim dibatalkan kerana Cek Ya kita demam panas so, kami anak beranak (cik Mira n Me) naik LRT, jalan kaki dan tahan En. Teksi.. Perjalanan terasa pendek.. langkah terasa amat ringan.. Cuaca yang sangat kelam tidak hujan lebat dan terasa perjalanan semalam seolah2 sangat di berkati Alhamdulillah...

Setibanya di rumah.. duduk sebelah umi, sepontan mulut bertanya "Mana anak umi yg macam Ara tu?" Saya masih ingat ketika di tanah perkuburan saya katakan pada umi, izinkan saya tumpang kasih anak umi ye.. dengan linangan airmata, umi kata ya...

Iza turun dan bila saya panggil dia terus menghampiri saya mesra.. saya minta izin peluk Izah tetapi sebaik saja saya memeluknya, rasa hiba saya tak dapat dibendung.. Saya menangis.. agak payah hendak mengawal rasa hiba itu.. Itu juga dugaan..
"Makcik tumpang peluk ya.. mudah2an dapat kekuatan untuk beberapa bulan lagi.." and I know Izah is somewhat puzzled, tetapi dia biarkan saya memeluknya tidak sedikitpun dia menolak.. dan saya rasa lega.. saya rasa hati saya ringan.. saya rasa seolah saya dapat memeluk Ara.. untuk sekian kalinya setelah begitu lama.. I feel like I am hugging U again Ara.. and She smells like you after school Ara! Itu juga dugaan...

I wish I could elaborate more but really its hard to explain the feelings..at the end, I feel light, joy and happy inside! Alhamdulillah.. Aizat, if you are reading this, tolong bagitau Izah jangan takut dengan Aunty Liza ye.. takut lain kali dia nampak saya datang dia lari..

I know she is not Ara.. Ara is irreplaceable, No one in this world can ever replace Ara.. every child, every person is special in their own way no matter how similar they can be.

Ara, one day while we were shopping @ Carrefour, suddenly mama started to have this little voice talking to myself..

"Mama, ara sorry.. ara sorry ara kena pergi.. Ara tau mama strong macam Ara.. Ara sayang mama.. Ara dengar cakap mama.. Ara sorry ara tak dapat hug mama, kiss mama, touch mama lagi sebab Allah  dah ajak Ara balik.. kan mama suruh Ara tunggu mama kan? Ara tunggu mama.. tapi Ara nak mama strong, macam Ara.. Macam mama selalu cakap dekat Ara..

Ara tau kadang2 mama sad.. sebab kita jauh.. sebab mama tak dapat tengok  Ara lagi tapi Ara tau Allah akan jaga Mama, Allah sayang mama.. Sebab tu Allah bawak Ara balik siapkan castle untuk mama ngan papa pulak.."

Ara, sometimes at night, if I close my eyes, Mama rasa macam boleh nampak Ara smiling.. sometimes.. Ara.. mama sayang ara.. mama love ara banyak2.. mama miss everything u said Ara.. mama miss bau ara.. Baju tadika Ara ada lagi dalam almari.. kadang2 bila mama nampak mama cium baju ara.. macam ada bau sikit.. maybe its just my imagination.. Mama nampak dress powerpuff girls purple yang ara suka tu.. and how sweet u looked when u wear the dress.. Mama still keep and treasure all your headbands.. kadang2 mama cium cekak ara.. maybe ada smell rambut ara kat situ..

Ya Allah... ini juga Dugaan..

Apa juga dugaannya, at the end segalanya adalah anugerah dan nikmat Allah.. Hati yang merindu, Hati yang sedih dan hiba, Rasa kasih dan sayang, semua itu nikmat yang datang dari Allah.. Ar-Rahman, Ar-Rahim..

Dari Allah kita datang, kepadaNYA juga kita kembali.. Al-Fatihah untuk Sarah Khadijah.. Mama love ara forever.. Ara tunggu mama ye Ara...