Like other students who struggle with English Language, Ili Sabrina Mohammad Razali, a student from Madrasah Wak Tanjong, has been struggling with Math. Her mother, Mdm Salina, is the sole bread-winner of the family. It has never been easy for her to provide for her 4 children, who are all studying in Madrasah. However, it has never stopped her from sending them there to study.

Mdm Salina was very much pleased to find out about the assistance she was receiving from Pergas under the Madrasah Student Adoption Scheme which came about only as a recommendation by the school. It enlightened her as the assistance received will help her ease her mind with regards to the school fees and lessen their financial burden. Having 4 children in a Madrasah is financially challenging for many parents and more so for single parents. Besides school fees, there are tuition fees and many other costs involved that add up to quite a sum.

All praises to Allah in all situations. In times of difficulty, there is also ease. Her son received assistance from LBKM the past few years and Straits Time pocket money fund this year. Being an NTUC member, they also received some vouchers. Whoever fears Allah, He will make a way out for him and provide from where he does not expect.

Her weekday is really tiring for her. She has to go for night classes which her company requires her to attend every Tuesdays and Thursdays. When she reaches home, she would usually be doing the housework. At the same time, she would be helping her children with their homework. She would sleep past midnight to finish all these chores. In her opinion, taking up another job would leave her with no time for the children. They already have to cope with having just one parent at home, so she cannot be absent from their lives.

Her work and family life is not very well balanced. Her children are with her on weekdays and alternate weekends. Most of the time spent together would be on their school work and listening to their Quran or other ukhrawi subject memorisation. As she is currently having night classes, she also needs to do her assignments. Weekdays are usually always a rush.

When asked about Ili Sabrina’s performance in school, her mother claimed that Ili is still struggling with Maths. She needs small group coaching. Mdm Salina could not afford to send her to a good tuition centre so she sought her friends’ help at times.

Mdm Salina attempted to enroll Ili Sabrina to a Madrasah to pursue her secondary level. However, she did not get the chance to do so. She was then sent to Darul Huffaz for a year where they provide academic as well as religious subjects too. When she fared much better there, Mdm Salina try to apply for her a place in Madrasah again. Alhamdulillah, she was given a chance to take the entrance tests which she then passed. Allah SWT can open doors that were once closed.

Mdm Salina hopes for all her children to be pious children who are granted success in this world and the hereafter. She thinks that by right, every child should be given the opportunity to study both academic and ukhrawi knowledge since young. That was why Mdm Salina enrolled them in Madrasah. She did not come from a Madrasah background but she continued upgrading herself until she attained the Diploma in Islamic studies so that she could better herself and understand her children’s journey in the Madrasah education system.

She used to be embarrassed when people told her to go and seek financial assistance. However, she realised that it had helped her family to focus on what matters more, especially studies. Do not ever let issues or hardships hinder you from achieving your goals.

Mdm Salina also mentioned that we should always make du’a even when we could not see the light at the end of the tunnel. Allah SWT will guide us if we rely on Him. Some people may appear to be self-sufficient because of their restraint but you will know them from their (characteristic) sign. They do not ask people persistently (or at all) Quran 2:273.