By Vincent D’Silva

JOHOR BAHRU: As the gentle hush of dusk settled over Johor Bahru and the sacred rhythm of Ramadan unfolded across the city, a quiet act of compassion transformed an ordinary evening into something deeply meaningful.

At the Nur Azalea Special Education School, laughter and anticipation filled the air as nearly 40 children waited eagerly for guests who had travelled not merely with food, but with open hearts.

In a heartfelt gesture of community spirit, Sand & Sandals Desaru Beach Resort & Spa stepped beyond the comfort of its seaside premises this Ramadan to share an evening of breaking fast with children from the school — many of whom live with intellectual efficiency disorders such as Down syndrome, autism and cerebral palsy.

For the resort, it was more than a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative; it was a journey into the heart of empathy.

The visit marked the first time the resort had chosen to organise its Ramadan CSR programme outside its own grounds, bringing its team directly to the children’s school in Johor Bahru.

As the resort staff arrived, carrying warm dishes and smiles that matched the golden glow of the evening sky, the faces of the children lit up with pure excitement. Some waved enthusiastically, others watched shyly from behind their parents, but the joy was unmistakable. For many of them, it was a rare moment when visitors came not simply to observe their world — but to share in it.

Leading the delegation was Lily Lim, Director of Operations and Revenue of Sand & Sandals Desaru Beach Resort & Spa, whose warmth quickly resonated with both the children and the educators present.

“It was nice to see the smile on the faces of these children,” Lim said when speaking to ApaKhabar TV, her voice reflecting the emotion of the evening.

According to Lim, the decision to host the breaking of fast at the school itself came from a simple but heartfelt thought.

“Instead of bringing these children who have intellectual efficiency disorders to our resort, we felt that it would be better for us to go to them instead,” she explained.

By doing so, the resort staff were able to spend more time interacting naturally with the children, creating moments that felt genuine rather than ceremonial.

“At least we had more time to mingle and chat with these kids,” Lim added.

Inside the school compound, the spirit of Ramadan unfolded gently. As the call to break fast approached, children accompanied by their parents lined up patiently for their meals. Plates were filled with care by the visiting staff, who moved from child to child making sure every plate carried enough to satisfy hungry stomachs after a day of fasting.

For some of the resort employees, the evening was deeply eye-opening.

Lim noted that the experience allowed her staff to witness firsthand the resilience and warmth of children living with special needs.

“For many of our staff, it became a learning experience. It allowed them to see the real life of these children and understand their world a little better,” she said.

Beyond the meal itself, the evening carried small but meaningful gestures of kindness. Each child received duit raya, a traditional token of goodwill during festive seasons, sparking more laughter and excitement among them.

Nine teachers from the school also joined in the gathering, sharing conversations with the resort staff while keeping a gentle watch over their students. The interactions between educators and visitors created a warm sense of shared purpose — a reminder that caring for children with special needs is a responsibility that flourishes when communities come together.

Among those present was the school’s principal, Zariah Ahmad, who expressed heartfelt gratitude for the thoughtful initiative.

“For the organisers, I would like to express my deepest appreciation and gratitude to Sand & Sandals Desaru Beach Resort & Spa for their willingness to sponsor and realise this meaningful event,” she said in her speech.

“This contribution is truly a great one, which will enhance the spirit of togetherness and brotherhood among us.”

Zariah also paid tribute to Lim’s dedication in supporting community programmes that bring joy and encouragement to the children.

“I would also like to express my infinite gratitude to Lily Lim for her commitment and continuous support in making community programmes like this a success. May all these good efforts be blessed and rewarded manifold,” she said.

Reflecting on the deeper meaning of the gathering, Zariah reminded guests that Ramadan is about far more than food.

“The breaking of the fasting ceremony is not just about enjoying a meal,” she said gently. “It is also a platform to strengthen friendships, embrace the value of love and strengthen unity.”

As the evening slowly drew to a close, the children lingered happily, clutching their duit raya packets and chatting with the resort staff who had, for a brief moment, become part of their world.

The golden twilight faded into night, but the warmth of the encounter remained — a quiet reminder that the truest spirit of Ramadan lives not in grand gestures, but in simple acts of kindness shared between hearts willing to meet halfway.

For the team from Sand & Sandals Desaru Beach Resort & Spa, the evening may have been their first CSR event outside their resort grounds.

But judging by the smiles left behind at Nur Azalea Special Education School, it is unlikely to be their last.