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PHENOM PENH -  Tuesday 16th November 2010-   was built to provide the education foundation of the Muslim kids.  It is a long term investment of the young and innocents of the umah.  During this digital age, education is not only an ibadah, (“the ultimate obedience, the ultimate submission, and the ultimate humility to Allah”) but also could somewhat propel a person out of poverty and put him/her on the pedestal of economic, social and political well-being commensurate with his/her abilities.  The country will also benefit.  Hj. and his wife, Ustz Asmak Ismail understand this principle very well.

They knew the meaning of hardship and atrocity stories.  They were in the stories.  They have experienced, suffered and lived through the horrendous regime. They survived while the rest of their families were gone without trace.  They fled their country and became refugees for many years.  The words ‘What does not kill me makes me stronger’ by the German philosopher Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche hold true.  Now they are Malaysian citizens.  If they would they could all move to Malaysia and have a better life (economically speaking).  But they chose to devote their life in bringing up the education of the Muslims kids of Cambodia.  It is a tough endeavour and requires generational commitment.   Hj. Salleh and Ustz Asmak know one day someone else will continue this job.  Their children are capable and God Willing, they will take over the responsibilities from their parent.

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With their  life-long saving they bought a small piece of land at kilometer 9 in the city.  Sometime in 2002, they started a small kindergarten financed solely by themselves and contributions from friends.  It started with only a handful students.  Now the kindergarten has 120 children.  But most of the time, there are only 100 regulars.  A monthly fee of US5 per month is hardly affordable by most parents.   But, the class must continue.  The children must have basic education.  Teachers are full-timers.  teachers get a monthly salary of US35.  The seniors are being paid US40.   Most them are female teachers.  Occasionally, they are given contract of making uniforms for the children. That would give some extra income.  But that only happens once a year.

Currently, there are four teachers and two assistants.  Mansor Salleh (Uastz. Salleh’s son) and his wife were among the teachers who give their time and faculty to educate the young and innocents Muslims of the country. At the moment, TADIKA HADANATUL QURAN is the only Islamic kindergarten in the entire country.   The curriculum include the basic teaching of Al-Quran, Arabic, Mathematics, and Khmer Language.  encourages them to include English as one of the subjects.  The subject will be taught in December 2010.

On average the kindergarten collects US500 per month while expenses exceed far more than the school fee collection.  Besides total monthly salaries of US435, there are other administrative costs and incidentals like playing items for children, plates and saucers, cleaning services, graduation day.  These expenses do not come from the school fee.

The would like to appeal RISEAP’S member countries to help in any way they could to ease the educational environment of the Muslim Children who study at this kindergarten.  They need a bigger place to learn and tools to enhance their abilities.  With our help and with ALLAH’s grace, one day when they become adults, they could become professionals, businessmen, government officers, teachers etc.  Some of them may contribute back to the Muslim society.  However, this lifelong process must begin now.

By Mohd. Marzuki Omar