By Hayani Nazurah Hasram

On 17 November 2024, I had the privilege of visiting an old people shelter (Pusat Penjagaan Orang Tua Cahaya Maju, located in Batu Caves, Selangor). The shelter houses around 40 residents, each with a unique story - a place where life stories, wisdom, and resilience reside in abundance. This visit was part of the Usrah-in-Action course, led by Dr. Hadija Mohd under the provision of the Sejahtera Center at IIUM. 

As a final-year Computer Science student specializing in Data Science and Computational Intelligence, I often navigate the world of logic and algorithms. However, this visit offered a rare opportunity to step away from my screen and connect with the lives and emotions of others in a deeply meaningful way. Having already completed Usrah-in-Action 1 and Usrah-in-Action 2, I was joining this current cohort not as a participant but as a senior and advisor. In my previous projects, I worked with school students, focusing on mental health awareness and support. While my role this time was to guide and assist, the experience turned out to be a profound learning journey for me as well.

The efforts leading to this visit began as early as March 2024, with the team working tirelessly to ensure our activities would bring value to the residents. Along the way, we received various forms of support and donations. The Sejahtera Center contributed RM 200, while two individuals donated RM 200 each through Akademi Tenggara. Additionally, we acquired two standing fans for the shelter, each costing RM 129—one donated by Mohamad Aliff Haikal bin Mohamad Jamri, an IIUM student, and the other by Dr. Hadija herself.

The whole team also chipped in to ensure that activities and groceries were sufficient for each visit. Beyond this, we managed to crowdfund about RM 120 to support our efforts further. We were particularly thrilled when Akademi Tenggara agreed to allocate RM 1000 toward medical visits for the residents in 2025 (approximately RM 85 per month) to cover minor illnesses. Our initiative has also garnered attention from Food Aid Organisation and a few other groups, with collaborations with currently under negotiation.

Although I went with only a small group of Usrah-in-Action members, this initiative has been a collective effort involving everyone in our course. At various points, activities were carried out by members including Muhammad Hakim Nu'man bin Adnan, Nurul Alyaa binti Mokhtar, Fatin Nurfadlina binti Sahrulamri, Siddiqui Maryam, Nursyamimie binti Mohamad Rapin, Nursyazwani Athirah binti Razilan, Siti Nadhirah binti Saharuddin, Muhammad Firdaus bin Mohd Nasir, Ardini Zahidah binti Mohd Azmi, Nur Adibah binti Mohamad Dali, Salimi Husna binti Kamal Abas, Nuralya Medina binti Mohammad Nizam, Aireen Natasha binti Anuar, Lubna binti Yasir, and Amalin Hani binti Mohd Sabri.

We began the visit with a simple breakfast, sharing sandwiches we brought along. Initially, we had planned to prepare the sandwiches together with the residents as a bonding activity. However, due to time constraints, we decided it would be more practical to purchase them instead. This allowed us to spend more time engaging in other planned activities.

While some of the residents were eager to chat and share their experiences, others preferred to keep to themselves, which we completely respected. Recognizing the need to uplift the atmosphere, we encouraged the residents to participate in light stretching exercises. This idea emerged from reflections on our initial visit, where we noticed many residents were passive and hesitant to engage. To our delight, the activity brought smiles and laughter, with one enthusiastic uncle inspiring others to join. It was heartwarming to see how small, shared moments could break barriers and foster connection.

We then introduced board games and traditional games, such as Congkak and Batu Seremban, to encourage mental stimulation and social interaction. I found myself engrossed in a chess match with one of the uncles, who proved to be an exceptional player. Despite my efforts, I lost every game, but his kind guidance turned each loss into a valuable learning experience.

Beyond games, casual conversations with the residents offered moments of wisdom and reflection. One uncle shared advice that resonated deeply with me: “Don’t dwell on the past—it will only bring you more pain. Instead, focus on the present and plan for a better future.” His words reminded me that life’s challenges are best met with resilience and hope, much like the adaptability I’ve learned to apply in programming.

As the day came to a close, we gathered for a group photo before bidding farewell. The residents expressed gratitude for our visit, sharing how much they look forward to meeting new people and breaking the monotony of their daily routines. Their appreciation highlighted the impact of these small gestures in fostering a sense of belonging and community.

Although the visit was successful, some aspects of our original plan had to be adjusted. For instance, we had hoped to design a sustainable business model to empower the residents. However, logistical challenges led us to focus instead on supporting the shelter in more immediate ways, such as assisting them in obtaining a building floor plan to qualify for governmental aid.

This experience reinforced my belief that empathy and adaptability are as essential in life as they are in my academic pursuits. Whether through coding solutions or connecting with people, the ultimate goal is to make a positive difference. The visit reminded me that even in a world driven by technology, human connections remain at the heart of meaningful progress.

A heartfelt thank you goes Dr. Saravanan and Mrs. Geetha (the owners and managers of the Shelter who are super humans for their compassion) and to the Sejahtera Center at IIUM for making this initiative possible, as well as to Firdaus and Lubna, the two main anchors of the group. Their dedication went beyond expectations, ensuring the success of this project and securing support for our efforts.

In addition, I would like to highlight the involvement of everyone in speaking up about the shelter’s needs during the 6th University in Action Symposium on 6th January 2025, where the project was presented by Salimi and Syazwani. Their presentation earned us a Silver Award, a testament to the collective effort and impact of this initiative.

The author is Hayani Nazurah Hasram, a final-year student majoring in Computer Science with a specialization in Data Science & Computational Intelligence at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM).