Ayesha Assilla Watuna’s aims to raise funds for the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian initiative planned for early next year to support Palestinians facing oppression - December 14, 2025
In a remarkable act of selflessness, a Sabah housewife is selling her treasured collection of over 3,000 rare and limited-edition Pokémon trading cards to raise funds for the Global Sumud Flotilla
PARTING with a cherished possession is seldom easy, particularly when it carries years of memories and painstaking effort.
For Ayesha Assilla Watuna, a 30-year-old housewife from Sabah, however, the call to aid those in need has taken precedence over sentiment, compelling her to sell her extensive collection of Pokémon trading cards.
A mother of three and a graduate in film and broadcasting, Ayesha owns more than 3,000 cards, many of which are rare, limited-edition, and highly sought after by collectors.
Her decision to sell the collection aims to raise funds for the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian initiative planned for early next year to support Palestinians facing oppression.
“My hobby may seem trivial to some, but at least I can show that I can contribute something bigger to society, and it is all worthwhile,” Ayesha told Bernama. “Not only that, I will be able to tell my children one day that I sold my beloved Pokémon cards to set foot in Palestine and help our brothers and sisters there.”
Since late October, Ayesha has been selling her cards online and at weekend market stalls in Taman Melawati, raising over RM15,000 so far, with individual card prices ranging from RM2 to several thousand ringgit.
“I am determined that 100 per cent of the proceeds will go toward the flotilla fund. I do not mind selling the entire collection, even the cards I am reluctant to part with, as long as it raises enough to fulfil my dream,” she explained, recalling how she sought help from friends to obtain rare Japanese editions.
Originally collected as a leisurely pastime, the hobby evolved into a highly valuable asset. Ayesha, who sometimes spent around RM2,000 monthly acquiring cards, likened their market fluctuations to gold, noting that prices often double over time, especially for cards preserved in their original protective sleeves.
“Some bundles I bought for RM400 are now worth twice as much, and their value may continue to rise. As long as they remain in their original packaging, prices keep increasing,” she said. Ayesha also highlighted the impact of card quality on value, pointing out that perfectly printed, symmetrical cards are prized by collectors, and many are sent for professional grading to verify their condition.
Beyond their monetary worth, collecting Pokémon cards has offered Ayesha personal solace amid life’s pressures, particularly through her favourites such as Charizard and works by illustrator Tomokazu Komiya.
Yet, her passion for the hobby now yields to a larger purpose: contributing to humanitarian relief for Palestinians through the Global Sumud Flotilla.
Ayesha’s story underscores the profound power of personal sacrifice, illustrating how treasured possessions can be repurposed to serve a greater good and inspiring others to prioritise compassion and solidarity over personal attachment. - December 14, 2025
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