GEORGE TOWN: The Balik Kampung song made popular by the late Datuk Sudirman Arshad recently brought Hari Raya cheer to the residents of charity home Rumah Anak Kesayangan.
Asma Norazam, 16, fondly recalled a bus trip to her hometown Bota in Perak while listening to the song.
“The melody and lyrics are so catchy. It is my favourite song during the month of Ramadan and Hari Raya.
“The song lifts my spirit on my trip back to my hometown.
“Hari Raya is the only time I am reunited with my six siblings and parents,” said Asma who has prepared kuih Raya to take home with her.
The teenager, who aspires to be a surgeon and to improve her family’s way of life, lives with 14 other unprivileged residents at the charity home.
Malacca-born Nurul Jannah Azlan Shah, also 16, said celebrating Hari Raya with friends was the highlight of the year.
“I look forward to celebrating Syawal. The festivities bring a lot of joy to me,” she said.
The two teens were sharing their happiness of going home for the festivities at a breaking of fast event organised by Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa Penang, here, recently.
Resort general manager Elaine Yue-Wibisana, who presented duit Raya to the children, said the event was the resort’s way of engaging with the less fortunate. By Muhamad Syakir Abdul Wahab