Uncertainties.

“Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.”
― Malcolm X

***

Whenever I do lessons about the future, my kids like to write things like: 

'I would like to make my parents proud.'

'I want to send my parents to Mecca.'

'I will send my parents for Hajj.'

As if it was that easy. Do they really think it is cheap, and easy to send their parents to Mecca to perform Hajj? The cheapest Tabung Haji package now costs RM25,000. If they followed the age trip (muasasah), it would be RM9,000 to 10,000. Umrah is of course cheaper, but Hajj is compulsory (wajib). Better save money for that, right?

Usually students who are well-to-do or have a financially secure family background find it harder to receive scholarships. We have to compete with others so we will get excellent results. My sister and I worked very hard. We covered our bedroom walls and lockers with notes and prayers.

Fortunately, my sister and I did well in both our PMR and SPM, and we were blessed to receive a scholarship from the government. A scholarship is 'biasiswa', which means we did not have to pay it back. If we made a loan, or pinjaman (PTPTN), we would have to pay it back. 

Because of this, our parents did not have to pay for our education all the way through University. As a result, they could save enough money to go to Hajj. They went while my sister and I were still studying overseas. 

You can do this too. Anyone can. But.

Are you willing to study as hard as you can, work as hard as you can until you sweat blood and tears? Are you willing to save money so that even if you don't get a scholarship, you will still be able to pay your parents' good deed? Can you do this? Or are you too busy paying for your girlfriend's birthday present?