ITE student spends 30 minutes walking with lost elderly man, 77, to find his home

A kind-hearted Institute of Technical Education (ITE) student has won praise from her school and the internet for helping an elderly man find his way back home.

According to a Facebook post by ITE, Naira Maisara Binte Abdullah was about to cycle home when she heard the man asking for help at a bicycle parking area near JEM.

It was around 8pm and the 77-year-old was struggling to find his way back home.

He had been in the area to renew his passport and was without a phone to contact his family.

When she realised that the man was unsure of the directions that she had given him, Naira decided to walk him home instead of leaving him on his own.

She checked his NRIC to confirm the man's address and accompanied him for the 30-minute walk.

When they arrived at the man's home, she found out that his family had been searching for him all afternoon.

She stayed until the rest of his family returned, relieved to see him reunited with his loved ones.

Family wrote to ITE

The family later wrote to ITE to commend the student for the care she showed a stranger.

According to ITE, Naira thought about how she would feel if her parents or grandparents were in a similar situation, and that spurred her to help.

"The elderly man told me he was proud of my parents for raising me to be helpful, and he was grateful I was there to help him," she said.

"I felt really appreciated and touched by his words."

Gratitude for her compassion

On Facebook, the post, which at the time of writing has over 5,800 reactions, attracted commenters who applauded Naira's efforts.

"Kudos to this little girl. Her empathy and grit will take her far," wrote one commenter.

"What a beautiful, kind and thoughtful gesture. Proud of you young lady," added another.

A woman who identified herself as the man's niece also chimed in with praise for the student:

"From the bottom of our hearts, thank you so much, Naira. ❤️ Our family was desperately searching for my uncle and was so worried about his safety. We are truly grateful that you were there to help him get home safely. Your kindness and compassion mean more to us than words can express. May you and your family always be blessed with happiness and kindness."