• A sweet touched my heart

August 28, 2004

Zainal Rashid Mokhtar, Chairman of PETRONAS Sudan sits in during the CR Programme	“Thank you for coming. You have touched our hearts.”	Like anywhere, sweets are often nice treats

The weather has been amazingly kind today. I had been warned to expect excruciating heat and be prepared for blazing temperatures. However, the heavy downpour during the night brought with it the blessing of wonderful weather. It feels just like being in Malaysia, minus the humidity. In fact, I felt that it was difficult to tell time, as the weather seemed to be almost the same from morning till evening.

We had our first Community Relations (CR) programme this morning. The members of the PETRONAS Adventure Team accompanied by PETRONAS staff from Sudan as well as a few Malaysian students studying in Sudan came together to help beautify Taeeb Sayed Basic School. The main task was to paint as well as tile a certain portion of the school. Zainal Rashid Mokhtar, Chairman of PETRONAS Sudan very aptly pointed out that PETRONAS certainly goes beyond its core business.

I was given the task of conducting science shows as taught to me by the staff of PETROSAINS. I must confess that I had been feeling extremely nervous and doubtful as to how I would manage the children. I was frightened that language would pose a great barrier.

However, today I learnt that a simple smile transcends all barriers, and the language of love is spoken from the heart, not necessarily by words. To me, this expedition has been about infusing hope, and today, I saw love, joy and hope through the eyes of 12-year-old Sudanese children.

Ustaz Ibrahim from PETRONAS office in Sudan helped me with the translation. The children were very enthusiastic as well as disciplined. There was active participation, with each child eager to have a hands-on feel of the experiments.

As the children participated, it was such a joy to see them trying to converse in English. In fact, many of them spoke very well. I realised that my initial fears were unfounded, and all it takes is the ability to relate.

At the end of the show, Ustaz Ibrahim asked the children to say a few words. I was extremely touched when one boy stood up and told me in perfect English, “Thank you for coming. You have touched our hearts.” I had to repeatedly tell myself not to cry for I felt that was the most beautiful sentence in the English Language.

What was even more meaningful was when a group of boys came to see me after their break time. They had saved one sweet for me. That simple gesture spoke volumes about their culture and upbringing. I felt very small in their presence, and not many gifts have meant as much as that one sweet.

To the little boy who asked me, “What is your opinion of Sudan?” Well, Ahmad Ismail, with children like you who have so much enthusiasm and sense of responsibility, I see great hope and future for your country.