WHY DO PEOPLE CLIMB MOUNTAINS?

This letter was posted by former MRSM Kulim teacher, En. Teh Sharifuddin Abdullah in the ex-mrsmkulim email group, to urge for support of the Asrama RAYYAJ initiative:

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Dear Friends

Salam and greetings

I have often wondered why people climb mountains or run marathons or go the extra mile in anything they do. I have seeked the answer for a very long time. The commonest answer is that people climb mountains because they are there. Or some say that it gives them a sense of achievement or accomplishment. Some even feel that by doing so, they are in power or in control. Somehow these answers although they sound logical never seem to me to be comprehensive.

Very soon (in April) a bunch of ex MRSM Kulim guys are embarking on the second phase of an extraordinary odyssey that they started back in 2009 with the Donni Duin project in Kiulu. On April 14 they are going to climb the magnificent and awesome Gunung Kinabalu. And they are not doing it just because it is there, nor do they have the need to feel powerful and in command of the elements. They might not even reach the top of the mountain. However there is a hidden and much more noble agenda. These unfit misfits (overweight and non athletic souls) will climb that majestic mountain to bring attention / publicity to a hostel that they intend to help build in Tawau, in a sekolah agama there. Hopefully they will reach the summit of that dream.

Many of us will support them from the comfort of our homes and pray for their success but I am appealing to you all to support them in more tangible ways. Dont just say that you are with them, but be with them Dont just say 'good job', mean it by doing your share in helping them help those kiids have a hostel in their school. Contribute in whatever way you can to make this project a reality. Dont just leave it to the guys who are climbing the mountain. You dont have to climb that mountain but you can help them reach their summit.

Twice I have seen Raja Ali's appeal to the alumni to call for us to donate a day's salary to jump start this project and both times I feel that the response has been rather cold. Many of us are now in a position to help those kids in Tawau but we are holding back. We have forgotten that we are where we are today because we had a good education and from the comfort of a hostel life. We were able to stay in the hostel because someone thought of us and by virtue of this we should now be thoughtful enough to help others. I maintain that the success of a person is not measured by how much wealth he has but how much he contributes back to the society that had provided for him. Do stand up and be counted.

I recollect a story I heard a long time ago when I first started to teach. The story was about a boy from a kanpong who was brilliant in his studies but could not continue his education after SPM because his family was poor. The Ketua Kampung was wise enough to call for a meeting after one Isyak prayers at the surau and declared that the kampung folk had to help this boy achieve his potential. This was the only chance for the kampung to see one of its anak jati become a success in life. With tears welling in their eyes but with great determintion, all of them pledged to contribute a few dollars each from their monthly income to see the boy through the university. The boy eventually graduated with honours and obtained a high ranking job. The kampung folk were happy, just like your families are happy with you now.

One day, the Ketua Kampung had another great idea. He felt the time was right for this boy whom the kampung folk had helped with their sweat and tears to come back to the kampung and contribute to the community. The kampung folk were told to organise a kenduri and they invited the boy (who was now someone important in the society). During the kenduri, the noy was invited to give some words of advice to the kampung folk, he stood up and asked a question of the kampung folk " Do you know what I am going to say?" The kampung people answered "no" THe boy then said "If you dont know what I am going to say, then there is no point for me to say anything" and he sat down to the consternation of the people.

Perplexed, but not one to give up on his objective, the ketua kampung then called for another meeting later with the kampung folk, and they decided to invite the boy again. This time, the ketua said, if the boy asked if we know what he is going to say, let us all reply in the positive. Maybe by saying no the previous time, he must think we are stupid. Another kenduri was organised and the boy was invited. The same question was asked and this time around, the people answered "yes' to his question. The boy then said "since you know what I am going to say, then there is no need for me to say anything" and he sat down. And again the folk were left without an answer.

A determined ketua kampung deided to try one last time to get this boy (he still had faith in this anak jati kampung) and he asked the kampung people to organise another kenduri and this time if the boy ask the same question, half the kampung folk will answer in the postive and the other half will answer in the negative. This way he has no choice but to share with us his ideas. Again the boy was invited and during the kenduri when it was time, the question was raised. According to plan, half the folk said "yes' and the other half said 'no'. THe boy then said, "good. In that case those who know what I am going to say, please tell those who dont know" and he sat down once again. And the kampung folk remained status quo. They had helped this boy achieve his potential but apparently, he is not going to contribute to making their lifes better.

Yes, let us all not be like that boy who achieved his potential through the sacrifice of others, yet reluctant to give back a little to help others. Kiulu was a great success. Let us make sure that the RAYYAJ project is as successful. Remember what I said during the buka puasa session last Ramadhan, Change a life and you change the world. Again stand up and be counted. Start by pledging a day's salary to Ansaraku and maybe you will finally understand the reason why people climb mountains.

May Allah bless you always.

Wassalam

Teh