January 1, 2008

Priceless Rewards

Last weekend was one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. We went to PD on Friday afternoon; two busses with the whole lot of us 2nd year- except for some like Nabil and Ummu Salamah- they had their basic life support training. Where I had mine, I had no cert to prove it because mine was done under UWA. Nevertheless, it was good to be reminded again on how to do CPR and correct technique of first aid.





Though it was fun, the real eye-opening experience on the weekend had to be going on Mercy's banjir relief mission after we got back from PD. Initially we were supposed to go to Bera, Pahang but the place changed afterward to Klinik Desa, Kertau, Maran, Pahang. We reached Maran's Kompleks Rakan Muda around 10.30 p.m on Saturday and were briefed about tomorrow’s mission and that the whole Pahang’s water supply was cut since banjir time and that we were to meet in the car park area at 8 a.m. tomorrow morning.

I supposed it was a good training for us, as part of Young Mercy in CUCMS and as a volunteers ourselves. On the way to Kertau, which took almost an hour from Maran town itself, we could see the devastating left-trail of the flood- the muddy colour of the flood covered half of the trees by the side of the road and washed the paddy field in murky brown. Even judging by the level of the water, it could cover up our cars and more! Being a city girl, I've never been in a place where it flooded and it just made me humbled by how powerless we are as human. When we reached Pusat Kesihatan Kertau (situated right by the river bank) –where we were to clean the area- we were saddened by the thick mud that covered the floor of the buildings; everyone agreed that if we feel heavy-hearted seeing the disaster, what more with the people who actually lived there. On our way, we could see people were washing and cleaning their houses for those who had return from temporary flood relief centre.







Mercy had gotten 2 truckload of water supply and we began work promptly. UEM's volunteers were also there and Dr. Jamilah herself were there with us. By the end of the day, we were all sweaty and tired but CUCMS students being CUCMS students, we headed for the nearest waterfall- Air Terjun Teladas before heading back to Cyberjaya.





That was my first volunteering experience and seeing how small contribution if combined and united would make even a slightest difference, my sister and I determined to join more if we could in the future.

It's tiring and the next day your body would be aching in many places, yes, but the experience itself, the unseen rewards in your heart- it's priceless!

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