Our Last BSA International Day 2010

The most awaited event of the British School of Alexandria, the International Day 2010 came again. The kids were very excited and eager participating in some of the program. However, this year, several countries were not participating, such as, India, Korea, Indonesia, Japan and few others that I could recall. Nevertheless, the hit and aura of the one-day auspicious event were still felt by both the kids, parents and their friends.
This year, her good friend, Dorin and her two adopted Azhar students, Yati and Shira, whom I called the Dream Team, assisted my exquisite lovely wife, Nana. Akin to the kids’ story (below), it was Nana’s last participation with the BSA event.

Their Mamak Style Fried Noodle was the hit of the day. Within 30 minutes, all their Malaysian delicacies, Choco-Banana Popiya, Batik Cake and Curry Puff were ‘cleaned’ by the Korean, Italian, Brit, the Malawian, the Philippines, Spanish, the Egyptians, the Turks, the Indians, and many others. Kudos to the Dream Team.

The weather was amazing, alhamdullilah. The kids donned their traditional costume or dresses, but some were simply attached their countries’ flags on their shirts. All these shapes and colors though cheered the day and boosted the moderate program they had this year, which enhanced the ambience. As for Afi, M Afiq, M Asri, M Aiman and Afiqah, amid their cheerful jovial smile they painted on their faces, March 18, 2010 witnessed their last participation in the BSA International Day that had stirred the mixed feeling. They are going to miss their friendly teachers, the school, the curriculum, and most of all their friends from at least 18 nationalities. The camaraderie that they built since three and a half years ago with these people had made them more matured, widen their mind frame & paradigm, provided opportunities for them to learn about cultural differences, and had opened up their eyes on what life is all about. They were together building success, achieving the stars, and working together sustaining their momentum for their future life. All these had spiked their growth rate – physical and mental, dramatically.

My dear readers, allow me to pause for while to control my emotion. Tears drop from my eyes…………………..O Mighty Allah, give me strength to revive.

This reminded me about my dream that I had back 30 years ago when I was started carving my life sculpture in Lutong – the Malaysia Oil town. During school holiday, the well-off kids flying with their families to KL, Singapore, etc., but kid like me had no other places to go, except riding our self-modified bicycle to nearby town, such as Piasau Camp or the nearest beaches. Piasau camp, slightly more than 1 km away from Lutong, was a place where the Royal Dutch Company, Sarawak Shell Berhad (SSB) accommodated their expatriate families. There were less than 200 families staying within the perimeter. As a caring company, SSB built several amenities, such as boat club, clinic, sport club, etc. One of those was, the Piasau International School. The building, the garden and the decorations of the school then had triggered and tickled my inner feeling and mind. As we passed by, I asked myself, “How I wish that I am one of the student in that such amazing building, listening to wonderful teachers, and wearing good uniform?”

Alhamdullillah – praise only to Allah swt, Allahu Akbar – Allah is Great! Lucky my kids. Allah swt has realized my dream through my five lovely obedient kids. The three and a half years experience though is surely not sufficient enough to build them, but at least will create another important chapter of their life history. To all my kids, let us move on to create another better if not distinctive chapter of our life in the ‘eyes’ of Allah Rabul Jalil.

Many of the great inventions that we enjoy today were the products of many great people that never see their products. Be one of them.
The Sahabat had contributed and sacrificed their life – wealth, time and efforts in propagating the true sense and the greatness of Islam that will guarantee us good life. Be one of them.

The great Prophet Muhammad saw (peace be upon him) had demonstrated us the way and shown us the path of how to become a good human being. Follow him.

In this release, we would like to record our heartfelt gratitude and thanks to all the teachers, the staff of BSA, the parents and the great pupil of the BSA. As we are just humble human beings, please accept our million apologies for our shortcomings. May God bless you all and all the best. Until we meet again. SAJ 2010.