SITC 2

While I am on the subject of Sultan Idris Training College in Tg. Malim, Perak, I would like to talk about the pleasure of meeting old friends and old students. En. Aziz Yatim is an old friend and student who attended my course (Pembimbing Rakan Sebaya - PRS) at Institut Aminuddin Baki in 1992. I remember at that time, he was still a young man with a passion of what he was doing. I remember him well as an artist or a cartoonist. If you check on my book 'Pengenalan Kaunseling Kelompok, you'll find the illustrations/ cartoons inside were his student's. In fact the cover of the previous edition depicting a group of students of various races sitting in a group setting was a contribution from the same student. En. Aziz gave his student a chance and his student excelled in it. That was what being a teacher is all about. I got the name of the student from my book. He is Irhan Shazlee bin Ramle formerly of Sekolah Menengah Vokasional, Kelang. Irham now , I heard, has become an architect. I would like to meet him in person to say thank you properly. Wherever you are Irham, my thanks to you and may God bless you. I know En. Aziz Yatim is very proud of you.

Another of my book 'Pembimbing Rakan Sebaya - Langkah Seterusnya' was illustrated by Aziz Yatim with his cartoons. I am much indebted to him for his contribution and support. The publisher took one of his cartoons and turned it into the bookcover. What pleases me more is that his children inherit his talents and I hope they will do well in their lives, bringing pride to their parents. I used to use Aziz's cartoons in my talks to illustrate my points about PRS whenever possible. They were of great help to me then.

As a lecturer in counselling at UPSI now, I am sure Aziz Yatim is just as proud of his student's achievement as I am proud of him. Actually I have lost touch with him for some time. When I returned from Kuching, Najidah and Norhashimah (my ex-studentss) mentioned his name and I said I know him. Since then we have been trying to meet up again but both of us were busy, it didn't materialise as fast as we wanted to.

On 13 November 2008, after delivering my talk with JPA in Putrajaya, I made an effort to visit UPSI with 2 purposes - to walk down memory lane and to meet Aziz Yatim. Najidah helped me to set up the appointment after office hours when I finished doing what I went there for. It was a most satisfying meeting after losing touch for such a long time. I am really proud of him for his success to show that counselling does work to help students in trouble in schools. He has produced in CD forms a number of training modules for students and has trained people how to handle them. To my ex-students from Unimas, I encourage all of you to contact him or surf his blog at http://www.pusaka01.blogspot.com/ to find out more. I admire Aziz's enthusism and commitment to prove that counselling does work. Unfortunately, even after more than 40 years in existence, counselling is still not accepted as psychology is. That's the irony now. Counsellors in government service have to use the name of 'Pegawai Psikologi' instead of the simple straight forward title 'Kaunselor'. Seems like our struggle never ends inspite of the existence of Lembaga Kaunselor and the Akta Kaunselor.

This photo showed Aziz Yatim busy at work during PRS course at IAB, 11 May - 18 July 1992.

I recalled the time he was attending my 3 months course in IAB, he was the life that kept the group going. He had the initiative to compile and to produce the group's news without me asking him to do so. With a little help from his friends, he single-handedly draw and paint a wall mural at the underground dining section at IAB, depicting the direction students (PRS) would go. I hope the mural is still there with my signature and Dr. Hussin's on it and that IAB values that effort. Photos below showed Aziz helping Dr Hussin Ahmad, the Director of IAB at that time, to unveil the mural and me at Aziz's mural holding a sketch of me done by the course participants, July 1992.

What made me feel so proud of him is his passion for what he believes in. Inspite of suffering from a degenerative disease, just like I do, it doesn't stop him from pursuing his dream, even though his illness causes him to depend on steroid. I have been there one time and I know how steroid affects a person. For you out there who read my blog, that's the attitude you should take, that's courage - keep going and never say die. Being sick doesn't mean you should stop chasing your dream. Aziz's determination, commitment and vision will bear fruits some day and I am sure Aziz has reaped some. It was a pleasure to meet your lovely family, Aziz, at your lovely home.

For you Aziz, you are a role-model that everyone should emulate. From the bottom of my heart, I wish you all the best and hope you have the time to enjoy the fruits of your labour. Your contribution to counselling and your dedication to prove that counselling does work fill me with admiration. Good luck to you Aziz with much love from me.

The visit to UPSI gave me the opportunity to meet Adam, the president of PRS. Under Najidah's guidance I am positive PRS in UPSI will shine and made a name for themselves. You have En. Aziz Yatim there, get his help on how to make it work. With Najidah as the counsellor, I am sure her dedication and belief in PRS will spur them forward. There will be challenges and skeptism, keep on going for if you succumb to that you will fail.

To Najidah, thank you, love, for making things easier for me. I hope our project with UPSI muzeum will materialise and that will make me a happy and proud daughter. There is nothing I can do anymore for my father except to record his contribution and his life for our younger generation.

Believe in yourself and focus on your goals, will lead to success.