Cikgu Rafi’s free tuition centre helps children dream bigger

By day, Abdul Rafi Abdul Karim teaches at SK Damansara Utama in Selangor, but by evening, he runs a free tuition centre for underprivileged children in Kayu Ara. The 38-year-old, originally from Perlis, established the tuition centre through his non-profit organization, Pertubuhan Kebajikan Amal Sirih (Pekasih), to bridge the gap between quality education and the financial limitations of many B40 families.

Rafi's journey to this point was not an easy one; after losing his father to cancer at a young age, he took on odd jobs to support his family and pay the rent. Despite his own struggles, Rafi acknowledges the kindness and guidance that changed his life, and he now aims to return that kindness through his work at Pekasih. He runs the centre with no monetary reward, dedicating his evenings to helping primary and secondary students master subjects such as English, Science, and Mathematics.

Rafi believes that extra tuition is crucial for these students who often lack the support at home, and his disciplined yet nurturing classroom environment helps them understand and retain the material. Beyond academic improvement, Rafi hopes to foster discipline and a sense of responsibility in the students, as well as instill in them the value of giving back to others who may benefit from their newfound knowledge and skills.