Balik Pulau Polytechnic lecturer Zaidil Adha found out that the student's father could not afford to travel up with him.
Cover image via Zaidil Adha (Facebook)
A lecturer from Balik Pulau, Penang is winning hearts online for going out of his way to help a student who had never been away from home
In a Facebook post, the Balik Pulau Polytechnic lecturer, Zaidil Adha, said he got to know about the new student, 18-year-old Lim Zi Yang, after receiving a panicked phone call from Lim's father to his office on Friday afternoon, 26 July.
Zaidil said the father was not able to find a bus ticket for Lim to arrive on registration day, which was on Sunday, 28 July, and asked if his son was able to check in at the polytechnic's hostel one night earlier.
The lecturer found out that Lim's father from Batu Pahat, Johor could not afford to travel up with his son to attend his registration day at the polytechnic.
"Usually, parents will accompany their children to the new students' registration day. However, this father was underprivileged and had asked his son to come alone," said the lecturer.
"I was surprised because, not only has Lim never been to Penang, but he has also never been on an express bus," he added, admiring the student's bravery.
Out of concern, Zaidil sought permission from the hostel warden and planned to pick the student up at the bus station on Saturday morning, 27 July, but ended up not having to do so
On the day in question, Lim seemingly arrived at the school without a problem. He arrived holding a large, dark blue luggage and dressed in formal wear.
However, things took a turn when Lim realised the bag with him was not his own.
"I was about to bring him to go shopping for necessities, and asked him to change into something more comfortable, when he came back from the toilet with red, teary eyes and shaking hands, saying that he took the wrong bag," recounted Zaidil.
Vowing not to leave the student in distress, Zaidil drove Lim back to Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal, then all the way back across the Penang Bridge to Penang Sentral Bus Terminal to recover his luggage
"In the car, I found out that Lim had paid RM55 to take a Grab (from Penang Sentral in Butterworth to the polytechnic on the island) because he had heard the bus driver exclaim 'Penang! Penang! Penang!' and immediately got off at the wrong station," wrote the lecturer.
Thankfully, they were able to find Lim's rightful dark blue luggage at the Penang Sentral Bus Terminal.
"On the ride back, I could see him quietly taking photos of the Penang Bridge to send to his father," said Zaidil.
The lecturer said he then took Lim grocery shopping, paid for his things, and sent him to the hostel without further trouble.
The Facebook post has since garnered over 15,000 likes and 6,000 shares, with netizens thanking the lecturer for helping the underprivileged student cope with his first time away from home
Speaking to Harian Metro, Zaidil said he did not expect his Facebook post to go viral and was thankful for the many positive comments and well wishes.
"All I saw was a child who listens to his parents and has the determination to further his studies. Lim said he has to because he is an only child and the hope of the family.
"I felt satisfied being able to help Lim. I hope he studies well at Balik Pulau Polytechnic," Zaidil added.
Check out more recent news on SAYS:
English (US) ·