Sacrificing money for love

A young Indian lady who cleans my home office told me this incredible story. A married couple who are her relatives adopted an orphan girl when she was a toddler. Since the time of adoption, the couple knows that the girl is entitled to an inheritance when she reaches the age of 21.

Five years ago, the girl’s adopted parents persuaded my Indian friend to introduce a boy to the girl. My friend duly introduced a respectable young man and sparks of romance began. The young couple became inseparable. Last year, the girl was 20. The adopted parents encouraged them to tie the knot. They wanted the wedding to be held before the girl’s 21st birthday.

After all the wedding plans have been made, the adopted parents dropped a bombshell – they wanted the girl to transfer her inheritance to them. The girl was angry. The boy was furious. My Indian friend was outraged. The adopted parents were adamant. If the girl refused to accede to their demands, they would cancel the wedding and marry her off to another man.

After months of bitter wrangle, the girl and her future husband became enlightened. They became aware that the inheritance was the cause of their pain and suffering. It was the cause of the evil that tortured them. The desire to get hold of the money has driven everybody insane.

The young couple made a startling decision. They decided to sacrifice the inheritance for their happiness. The girl is convinced that she loves her man more than her money. The young man is convinced that he has the ability to support his wife and raise a family without any inheritance. My friend is convinced that the young couple has chosen wisely.

I rang my friend, “Have they signed the papers?”

“Yes. It’s all done. The girl has transferred her inheritance to the people who brought her up. It’s okay. She doesn’t have to worry about the future. God will always be there.”

Greed can turn us into zombies. Perhaps, God has to destroy all our material possessions so that we learn to treat each other with love, kindness and compassion.

Malaysian Currency, Indian Family

I looked at Maniam with awe and admiration. He is a travelling gardener and all-purpose guy for menial tasks. My friend moved house and got Maniam to help to move the furniture, household appliances, audio video equipment and even the garden plants. Some of the things were as heavy as lead. But, to Maniam nothing is impossible.

My friend gave away an old TV to Maniam. I saw him tying the 5okg TV to the pillion seat of his motorbike. I asked him what he was trying to do. He said he was going back to his house and the TV would be riding pillion. But, his house is not down the street. It is 20km away! And, he has to travel through a stretch of highway. Can you imagine the 50kg TV wobbling on the pillion seat? What if it topples off?

I firmly told Maniam I would help him to transport the TV in my car. On the way, I began to interview him.

"How many children do you have?"

"Two. A boy and a girl."

"They are lucky to have you as their father. You work very hard."

"My children live in India."

"India? Are you Malaysian?"

"Yes, I'm Malaysian. But, my wife is from India, so my children live in India."

"How often do you see your children?"

"Twice a year"

"So, you see your wife only twice a year?"

"No, she comes here every three months."
"Why do you choose to live like this?"

"My children will have a better future in India. I send all my money to them."

"How do you spend your time here without your family?"

"With friends. I share a rented house with a group of friends. I share my room with two other people."


I'm still trying to understand Maniam. Why is he willing to make such sacrifices? Has he been misled, brainwashed or has my country failed to convince him that it can offer his children a good future?

Something from Indonesia brings me tears

I told the agent, “Don’t treat this Indonesian girl like garbage. She’s a human being and she’s somebody’s daughter. She has parents who are worried about her, and are praying that she does not come to any harm.”

That happened a year ago. Ira came from Indonesia to work in Malaysia. Her parents became frantically worried when they did not hear from her for one whole year – not a single phone call or letter. They started to look for her. I was asked to help in this case.

I managed to trace the agent who brought Ira into the country but the agent refused to meet me. Neither did the agent allow me to speak to Ira. Soon after this, Ira’s parents received a letter from her. After my friendly harassment, I was hoping that the agent would treat Ira in a more humane way.

Another year passed. In August this year, Ira called her parents to say that she was all set to go home because her work permit was expiring. The parents waited. August came and went. In September, the worried parents rang the agent who said that all flights to Jakarta were fully booked since August. What? They said they would try to put Ira on the plane in September. September passed. Then, the agent promised to send Ira back on a certain date in October. They did not honour their word.

I was asked to help again. I called the agent and negotiated for Ira’s safe release. My priority was to ensure that she returns home in one piece. Sadly, Ira had to lose half of her hard earned money.

Sometimes, I get depressed asking questions on humanity. Asking why there are people who treat others with cruelty. Asking why they were born without kindness and compassion.

After Ira had reached home, her mother called my mobile phone, “Alhamdulillah, Ira sudah selamat pulang.” She thanked me over and over again.

After the phone call came this sms:
“Trima kasih bantuannya keluarganya dsini, mngucapkan bnyak bnyak trimakasih. Kami brsyukur KEPADA ALLAH, dengan melalui anda ira pulang dengan selamat”

It brought tears to my eyes. I never expected the phone call nor the sms. The family is from a small village in rural Indonesia, and I never imagined that they would go to such lengths to reach me. They do not even have a telephone at home.

The response from Indonesia has put my faith back in humanity.

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