How Norashikin’s time in Afghanistan inspired a children’s book on peace

Norashikin Abdul Latiff wrote ‘The Olive Tree That Remembered’ after witnessing the lasting emotional impact of conflict on children during humanitarian work in Afghanistan. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: The children would scream and run whenever strangers approached.

For Norashikin Abdul Latiff, who spent time managing a community kitchen for families affected by conflict in remote parts of Afghanistan, it was a heartbreaking reminder that war leaves wounds far deeper than those that can be seen.

Even though she and her team had arrived to deliver humanitarian aid, many of the children were simply too traumatised to trust anyone.

“The horrors of war had left lasting emotional scars on them,” she told Bernama. “When I returned home, I realised that the importance of peace and empathy is a message we must share with our own children as early as possible.”

That experience inspired “The Olive Tree That Remembered”, a children’s picture book told through the eyes of an ancient olive tree that quietly witnesses generations of peace, conflict and healing.

Rather than focusing on politics or war itself, the story encourages young readers to reflect on universal values such as kindness, resilience, hope and compassion.

A mother of five and director of corporate communications at Yayasan Restu, Norashikin believes empathy should be nurtured from an early age.

She worries that constant exposure to news about conflict, disasters and violence may gradually desensitise children.

“What once seemed shocking can eventually become normal in their eyes,” she said.

“That’s one of the reasons I chose to do a printed book instead of a digital one – to encourage children to put their gadgets away for a while.”

Designed to be read together by parents and children, Norashikin’s book encourages conversations about compassion, hope and humanity. (Bernama pic)

She hopes parents will use the book as an opportunity to talk with their children about difficult subjects in an age-appropriate way.

“As parents and as a society, we may not be able to shield children from every harsh reality in the world,” she said.

“But we can help them understand those realities with wisdom, empathy and compassion. We need to teach them that behind every news headline is a family, behind every conflict is a child, and behind every statistic is a human life.”

Every aspect of the book, from its size to its colour palette, was carefully considered to help children stay engaged while encouraging parents and children to read together.

Norashikin, who is also an education trainer, believes stories have a unique ability to help children understand difficult realities without overwhelming them.

“Education is not only about preparing children for examinations,” she said. “It is about preparing them for life.

“Children who learn empathy today will become adults who build stronger families, more compassionate communities and a more peaceful world tomorrow.”

So far, over 600 copies of her book have been sold, with readers in countries including Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Australia, Canada and Brazil. A Malay-language edition is also expected to be released soon.

Proceeds from the book will support humanitarian efforts, including relief programmes and medical initiatives providing free healthcare for refugees in Malaysia.

Priced at RM69, ‘The Olive Tree That Remembered’ is available at Restu Shop outlets in Shah Alam and Putrajaya, as well as Twigs Bookshop.