From feared ‘stranger’ to trusted ‘uncle’

 

K Kittu, or Uncle Kittu as he is fondly known as, started working as a security guard at SK Bandar Baru Putera in Ipoh, Perak, six years ago.

IPOH: When K Kittu first started his job as a security guard at SK Bandar Baru Putera, six years ago, the students were apprehensive around him. Some even avoided him.

Fast forward to 2024, Kittu, fondly known as Uncle Kittu, is now a favourite among the over 900 children in the school.

“Back then, there were students who ran away from me because I looked different from them. So it was difficult to befriend the students initially,” Kittu told FMT.

However, this did not deter Kittu from getting to know the children, whose safety he would be overseeing.

One of Kittu’s prized possessions is a thick folder containing appreciation letters received from students.

“I started by saying ‘good morning’ to them everyday. I made it a point to ask them what they were eating when they were in the canteen and always told them to slow down when they were running.”

Slowly but surely, his friendly nature started to win the students over.

So much so, they came to regard him as an “uncle”.

And this affection they had for Uncle Kittu was on full display when in November last year, he had to bid farewell to the school as he was relocating to Klebang Putra – a half an hour drive away – with his family.

In a now viral video, students were seen running up to Uncle Kittu and hugging him. They even cheered for him, shouting endearing slogans. And on the stage, a large number of hampers and gifts were lined up for him.

There were also many appreciative letters, which he had carefully stored in a thick folder.

“(After I left), I kept re-reading the letters the students gave me and I couldn’t stop crying. It made me want to start working at the school again.”

Kittu, surrounded by schoolchildren from SK Bandar Baru Putera, is a much loved figure.

Fortunately for Kittu, the school’s parent-teacher association offered to extend his contract a month after he left.

And it was an offer he happily accepted even though it meant a 30 minute commute to the school.

“I have no regrets. I promised the students I would never leave them again.”

Loved by all

Parent Lailatul Zaharah Othman said Kittu cares for the school’s students as if they are his own children.

A student’s mother, Lailatul Zaharah Othman, 51, said Kittu never failed to go above and beyond for the sake of the children and parents.

“We were so sad when he left because he always directs traffic in front of the school. (When he left), it was so congested right up until the main road,” she told FMT.

Lailatul said Kittu is loved by everyone as he treats the children as his own.

“Even if there are parents who are late, he will wait with the children until they are picked-up. He also isn’t stingy with his money and always buys snacks and drinks for them.”

Another mother, Nurhaida Masliana Ritonga, 47, said she felt assured when Kittu was around as she knew her child was in good hands.

“He is very hardworking and careful when taking care of the children. All the children feel happy when they are with him.”

Twelve-year-old Nasrullah Abd Sani said he was sad when Kittu left the school.

“He is very close to all the students. He is soft spoken and always let’s us use his phone whenever our parents are late to pick us up. When he left I felt like crying.”

Another student, Rizqy Ilman, said Kittu had become a dear friend to him and his schoolmates.

“Uncle Kittu is very responsible and he is so kind. I feel happy he came back to our school.” - FMT