Teachers often receive gifts from students as a small token of appreciation.
But for one Malaysian teacher, a simple gift from her student became one of the most unforgettable and painful presents she had ever received.
The reason? It came from a student who, despite having very little, still chose to give what she had.
Student gave her food she had
In a Threads post, user @notnughul shared that the gift came from one of her students, whose parents are reportedly both undergoing rehabilitation.
According to the teacher, the student is currently staying at a welfare home.
This is the most painful gift I have ever accepted,” she wrote, adding that it was one gift she would always remember as it humbled her deeply.
She said the student had given her what she had, including food items that the teacher believed may have come from Raya donations, as well as snacks that may have been donated or given to her.
What she has. Food that I bet she got from Raya donations. Snacks that maybe people donated or gave her. It pains me so much that I can’t even bear to look at it,” she wrote.
Student apologised for not doing homework
Along with the gift, the student also included a handwritten note to her teacher.
In the note, the student asked her teacher not to scold her if she did not complete her schoolwork or if she submitted her homework late.
She also apologised for not doing her homework properly, promising that she would try to focus on what her teacher taught in class.
The student further wished her teacher good health, a long life, and ease in all her affairs.
She also apologised for handing in the gift late, hoping that her teacher would like it.
Teacher says student cares for younger sibling
In a follow-up comment, the teacher shared that several people had asked what they could buy for the student.
She explained that the student has a younger sibling in Form 1 and is taking care of the sibling.
According to the teacher, the student’s education has been affected as she struggles to focus in class, often thinking about her parents and how to look after her younger sibling.
“She said she can’t focus. She keeps thinking about her parents and how to take care of her sibling,” the teacher wrote.
Urged public to help less fortunate students
The teacher also urged those who are able to help less fortunate students, even in small ways.
She said those who have extra money could buy books and pass them to schools, adding that teachers often use their own money to buy books for students who cannot afford them.
She also suggested items such as storybooks, notebooks, pencils, pens, school bags, sticky notes, highlighters, water bottles, and other items teenagers would use and appreciate.
However, she reminded the public not to give cash directly.
“If you are able, donate to the unfortunate,” she wrote.
The teacher also joked that if anyone had a bigger budget, they could consider donating a smartboard or projector to her, saying she could teach better with technology but did not have much funding.
“I can only promise commitment,” she said.
The post has since touched many Malaysians, with many saying the student’s sincerity made the simple gift more meaningful than anything expensive.
Struggling to find the love, attention and guidance
Speaking to WeirdKaya, the teacher, Nurul Hafizah, shared that the student is currently in Form 2.
She said she felt deeply touched when she first received the gift and read the note, but the feeling was also mixed with sadness.
I felt sad because I know these children do not come from well-off families, yet they still thought of giving something for this special day,” she said.
What made it even more painful for her was knowing that even in a fast-developing city like Subang Jaya, there are still children who are “struggling to find the love, attention and guidance they should have received”, but are limited by family problems.
‘She is not lazy, she is carrying too much’
Nurul also described the student as someone who struggles a lot academically.
She said the student’s basic academic foundation is still weak, which makes it difficult for her to follow lessons in class like other students.
Most of her homework is also not completed properly because she genuinely does not understand what is being taught.
Personality-wise, the teacher said the student is quiet, tends to keep to herself, rarely mixes with her classmates, and appears to have low self-confidence.
When spoken to, the student admitted that she finds it hard to focus on her studies due to the family issues she is facing.
According to the teacher, the student often worries about her parents and the future of her younger sibling.
“In my view, she is not a lazy student, but a child carrying an emotional burden that is too heavy for her age,” the teacher said.
Gift was arranged with care
When asked what touched her the most about the gift, the teacher said it was the moment she saw what was inside the box.
Inside were donated products, snacks and sweets that had been neatly arranged with effort and sincerity.
Nurul said that for a teenager her age, such food and items would usually be kept for herself.
If I were in her place at that age, I may not have been willing to share either. But she chose to prioritise me and give it to me as a gift,” she said.
The teacher added that because the student does not come from a well-off family, anything given to her by others would have meant a lot to her.
Yet, she still chose to share it with someone else.
“To me, that shows how big-hearted and sincere this young child is, despite going through such a difficult life,” she said.
Teacher not accepting cash donations
After the post went viral, the teacher said several people had asked about donating to the student.
However, she said no donations have been received so far, and she is not accepting cash.
Instead, she said she would be more comfortable receiving necessities such as books, school shoes, clothes, stationery, or other items that are useful for the student.
Nurul added that if anyone truly wants to support the education of children at the school, she hopes they can consider donating learning tools such as a good projector or smartboard for classroom use.
The teacher, who previously served at a private school for six years, said she has seen the gap in resources and facilities between private and government schools.
“Sometimes, it is not that the students cannot go far, but they are not given access to the tools and learning opportunities they should have,” she said.
She added that giving teachers and students the right tools could help open the door to a better future for them.
‘It is not about the gift’
The teacher said she hopes the public understands that small gifts from students should not be judged by their price.
“I hope the public understands that it is not about the gift, it is about the thought that comes with it,” she said.
She also hopes more people will see that there are many underprivileged students who need help from the community.
As for students who may feel embarrassed for not being able to give expensive Teacher’s Day gifts, the teacher said this should never be a concern.
Teachers are to be celebrated, appreciated and loved, but that does not mean people should put a price tag on it.
No good teacher will brush off any kind of appreciation, regardless of how small. Sometimes, the one with no value comes with the biggest love,” she said.
The teacher also shared that when students ask her what she likes, she usually gives simple answers such as cup noodles, soap, books, green pens, photo cards, or anything sentimental.
Nurul added that if students feel pressured, she would even suggest that they go to a thrift store instead.
Because at the end of the day, it is never about how much a gift costs.
It is about the heart behind it.
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