PASIR GUDANG: A group of children decided to pool their duit raya to help out a neighbour whose home was damaged in a fire on the eve of Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
The seven boys pooled their duit raya which they had received from their neighbours during their Raya visits and donated RM17 to the victim's family yesterday.
Haraskaiser Mohd Khairul Amri, 11 said he sympathised with the victims and was compelled to invite his six friends to donate their duit raya money to the victim.
"We are sad because the (victim's) aunt and her family cannot celebrate Raya. We were able to collect a total of RM17 in raya money for her," he said.
Last Tuesday afternoon, Pertubuhan Permata Baiduri Malaysia (Permata) president Faridah P Hamsa's house caught fire, resulting in damages to the front of the house and living room area.
Fortunately no casualties were reported but a video of the fire went viral and drew public sympathy, because the fire happened on the last day of the fasting month of Ramadan.
One of the boys, Mohd Rayyan Ramadan Mohd Saifudin, 11, said he was happy to donate for a good cause.
"I don't mind sharing my money, our parents often remind us to help those in need," he said.
Mohd Zafran Izz Cardona, 11, also expressed his happiness at being able to help people in distress like the victim's family.
"I'm also happy to be able to help the aunty even though it's not much," said the student of at Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Scientex.
Another 11-year-old, Tengku Syahir Fakri Tengku Shah Azuwal said he hoped that the donation would cheer up Faridah's family during this Raya celebration.
Meanwhile, Faridah said she was moved by the children's gesture and concern towards her family, although they are still young.
"It's not the amount that matters, but their concern really touched my heart," said Faridah.
