'MAK SAYA MALAS BASUH BAJU SEKOLAH'

Something for us especially parents to ponder.

I have a boy in my class who usually wears a dirty uniform since early morning. Even if its on Monday (first day of the week). I felt sorry for him and did question him yesterday about the uniform.

"Mak saya malas basuh."

I did not make any judgement of his mother, probably she is sick. "Mak awak sakit ke?"

"Tak. sihat je".

We chatted about how to dress properly in school.

"Tak bolehlah macam ini. Cakap dengan mak elok elok. Suruh mak basuh juga baju. Kotor sangat ni. Awak nak belajar pun tak selesa. Pesan pada mak ye?"

And today I see him wearing quite a nice and clean shirt. I keep praising him that he looks better in that kind of shirt. He smiled.

"Baju dah bersih tapi berkedut tak gosok ni"

"Saya tak pandai gosok baju. Ini pun semalam balik saya basuh sendiri baju. "

I tried not to believe. Probably he is making another story.

"Ye ke? Cakap dengan mak tak apa yang teacher pesan? Kalau awak basuh baju sendiri, macam mana awak cuci?"

"Dah bagitau, mak tak nak basuh. Ambil sabun, letak pada baju. Di rumah, guna sabun debu. Gosok, gosok dan gosok. Basuh dengan air. Jemur. Ini tak gosok terus pakai".

That sincere look he gave, I do not have guts to say anything further. Anything that can break his heart. Or anything that allow him to judge his mother. I keep avoiding words such 'mak awak ni pemalas betul, ade anak tak nak jaga,'. I won't hurt his pure heart.

I pat him on his shoulder.

"Job well done. Bagus, pandai basuh sendiri. Janji awak datang sekolah".

Even my heart cried. He is just eight.

Please parents, fullfil their rights. Rights of not being insulted by others for dressing improperly. Rights of not being offended by others because they smell so wrong. Please.

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