AT age 8, Ahmad Hadif Khairol Zaki is aware of the plight of flood victims. As such, he decided to join a flood relief mission in Hulu Langat last Sunday.
His mother, Aniza Hidayu Mohd Pilos, 34, from Kampung Laksamana, Batu Caves, here, said it was her eldest child's first time volunteering in such a mission.
She said Hadif wanted to join the mission out of his own desire to help.
"My son has been spending a lot of time watching television during this school break. So, I suggested that he become a flood-relief volunteer.
"I showed him some photos of his friends who also joined the flood relief activity to encourage him to take part as well. He then got interested in it," she said on Wednesday.
Aniza Hidayu said coincidentally, her brother, Al-Ahnaf Rabbani Mohd Pilos, 25, was a volunteer with the Selangor chapter of non-governmental organisation Khidmat Malaysia, and this motivated her son to join the mission.
To prepare Hadif on what to expect, she explained to him about the situation in the flood-stricken area.
She said her son enjoyed being a volunteer. She added that Hadif did not complain about feeling tired after returning home from the mission.
"As a mother, I am very happy with what he did because I wanted him to learn the meaning of hardship.
"I always advise him to be grateful for what he has. His participation in the relief mission will help him to realise this."
She said Hadif liked to lend a helping hand, especially during weddings.
On the pictures of Hadif volunteering that went viral recently, she said: "The photos were taken in flood-hit Sungai Serai, Hulu Langat.
"I hope that by sharing my son's experience, it will have a positive effect on how other children view volunteerism."