Maybe I haven’t clarify yet where am I now, what am I studying, and the list goes on. Alhamdulillah, I’m in University of Essex, reading Law (trust me, ain’t just about reading). I’m blessed with good education, blessed with opportunities after opportunities that God has given me to make myself a better person. But I do believe that these blessings are beyond my entitlement. Maybe these blessings were given to me as a medium, to spread it to others. Hence, to make myself better for the betterment of others.
Little that I knew, the small town I’m residing now lives a large population of the Gurks; Nepalese soldiers whom served for the British Army back in those days. They chose to live here, obtaining great benefits from the government, but sadly their English proficiency is poor. So I signed up to volunteer to teach English to these veterans, alongside a few immigrants and refugees from Syria.
I look forward every Wednesday, where these elderly Nepalese women greeted me with bright smiles and ‘Namaste!!’. The one in the picture, whom I call ‘Ama’ means mother or in Malay, Aunty, has been the closest with me. Even though it was just for a few months but something about her that draws my attention to her every session. She would usually sits at the furthest seat at the long table, and sometimes do her own work. Language was the ultimate barrier between me and her. Like I don’t know to speak her native language and she doesn’t know mine, so we talk like chicken and duck (this is a literal translation from an expression in my language, don’t mind my language hihihi)
But with hand gestures and the most basic of the basic kind of English she somehow managed to learn numbers, months and even basic expressions like Good Morning Daughter….and rambles in Nepalese every time she sees me. I also got to know that she is alone here, living off the benefits from her husband whom dies years ago as a soldier and no children to take care of her during cold weathers. It bugged me somehow knowing this adorable old lady whom I under-cherish (is this even a word?? oh my god) living by herself. I couldn’t imagine living in a foreign country all by yourself, that must be tres tres sad.
However, all other Amas (Aunties) didn’t leave her alone. I also got to know that they always do things in group so that’s a relief! These people whom I encountered with reminds me of the ones I left in Malaysia. The thought of this particular Ama brings me back to my late grandmother. Oh I wish I could turn back in time and spend more time with her and cherish every moment with her. Dear Lord, please tell Atuk that her cheeky granddaughter here misses her so much :\’)
At the end of the day, the lesson I learnt is tremendous compared to the English this Ama learnt. Sometimes, people need others to hug and feel loved, so, why be selfish and keep your love to yourself? These Amas need them too.
(no this is not a promotional post to promote VTeam Essex, lol)