Businessman Talhah Talib, 35, and his buddies scriptwriter Faiz Qayyuum Abd Majid, 27, and part-time teacher Iffah Thinin, 25, have been actively involved in humanitarian work nationwide.
Every time a natural disaster hits, the trio are on the ground assisting those in need.
Talhah, who is also a mountain climber, said his humanitarian work started in 2012 when he and several others were hiking up the Yong Belar Mountain, part of the Titiwangsa Range, when they got wind of a big flood in Kemaman, Terengganu.
They decided to use their own funds to buy essential items badly needed by the flood victims there, a simple act that spurred his interest in volunteerism, he told Bernama.
Talhah said he met Faiz and Iffah in 2014 while helping out during the floods in Kelantan. The trio stayed in the worst hit area for a month, helping those in need.
“During the 2014 Tanah Merah floods, we were the first to reach the area with aid. It wasn’t easy, but we managed to get in,” said Talhah.
For Faiz, that experience was a tough one which taught him the true value of humanitarianism.
“I learned so much and since then, I have involved myself directly in humanitarian work. We saw the victims’ homes, vehicles and livelihoods destroyed. It was even hard to get clean water and food,” he said.
He said most of their volunteer activities were self-funded, but that he did not mind sacrificing what he had for those affected by the floods. He also said they were often helped by other kind souls who were willing to contribute financially.
“Most of the time, we just receive texts informing us that a certain amount (of money) has been transferred or we receive transfer receipts and sometimes (we are given the cash) by hand. We’ve never really asked for money, but people have donated anyway out of sincerity,” said Faiz.
The only woman in the group Iffah, said other women in need felt more comfortable receiving help from one of their own gender.
“Women by nature are shy, especially mothers with kids. I feel better each time I manage to help those in need and will never ever give up (in assisting the needy),” she said.
Iffah said the team spirit among volunteers was always very high despite team members and locations constantly changing because “everyone is ever ready to help others, and this is always inspiring.”
Talhah, Faiz and Iffah, will be heading to Segamat, Johor tomorrow to distribute aid to those affected by the floods there.