Retirement hasn’t slowed these Kedah seniors down

Zainol Abidin Mohamad, affectionately called Cikgu Non, is a retired teacher from Kedah who has found new purpose in supporting his community despite his golden years. Once, he made a bold promise to his struggling students - if they achieved at least seven A grades in their SPM exams, he would give each of them RM3,000. True to his word, 13 students excelled, leaving him with a hefty bill of nearly RM40,000.

Despite the financial strain, Cikgu Non remains committed to his promise, believing that helping these successful young people was worth every penny.

In retirement, Cikgu Non continues to offer additional maths lessons and financial incentives to students in need, driven by his belief that no young person should be deterred from education due to financial constraints. He is content to see these students flourish and is determined to do whatever he can to support them.

Zainol is not alone in finding meaningful work in retirement. Shoberi Hashim, 70, and Fadilah Abdullah, 72, both former public sector employees, are now active in charity and volunteer work. Rather than slowing down, they have taken on the management of Rumah Transit Negeri Kedah Taman Temin Jaya, a shelter for those in need of care and support, while also participating in various NGO activities.

For Shoberi and Fadilah, volunteering is not about financial gain or recognition, but rather a genuine desire to contribute their time and energy as long as they are healthy. They see their work as a way to make a difference in the lives of others, regardless of allowances or status. Their dedication serves as a testament to the fact that retirement does not have to slow down seniors who still have a passion for giving back to their community.