NO ONE can do EVERYTHING, but EVERYONE can do SOMETHING

Writer: Choon Xin Yi (KIL170508)

Figure 1: Group 4 members – Amirul, Yu Zheng, Winnie, Q, Mina, Syafi, me, and Firdaus.

(from left to right)

            A community is a small or large social unit of people that has something in common, such as norms, religion, or identity and they often live together in the same geographical area. Being part of the society, I have always wanted to take part in volunteering programme as I believe that a small effort from everyone will make a huge difference, contributing for a better community. In accordance to this, I would like to share my first experience visiting an orphanage and some precious moments throughout this community service.

PREPARATION PHASE

            

        There is a total of eight students in my group and we were briefed with the details and requirements of the social engagement project in the first week of semester. After having a few discussions and contacting several social organizations, we were given the opportunity to conduct our community service at Rumah Hope, Paramount Garden, Petaling Jaya. We decided to make it a 4 half-days programme, which is, from 11.00a.m. to 7.00p.m. on 3^rd, 10^th & 24^th April and on 1^st May 2019. Before we pay for a visit at Rumah Hope, we first planned the activities to be conducted with the children. We constantly contacted the person in charge, Miss Margaret to have more detailed information about the children age demographics and the facilities available so that the events planned were suitable and relevant. Besides, we also proposed the programme budget especially in terms of materials required for activities and transportation. On 25^th March 2019, we went for a casual visit at Rumah Hope to have a look at the environment for better planning of interaction activities. Thanks to cooperation from each group members, we were able to get through the preparation phase within a short period.

ONGOING PHASE

First day of programme (3^rd April 2019)

            

           It’s our big day! 3^rd April marked the beginning of our community service at Rumah Hope. Even though we have had a short visit on 25^th March, however we couldn’t help but felt anxious and excited at the same time because we were going to meet the children for the first time.  When we reached there, Miss Margaret and a few staffs welcomed us friendly. The children seemed to be very shy as they only kept staring at us and didn’t approach us. It was understandable as the children engaging with us mostly aged between 7 to 12 years old and we as twenty-one-year-old teenagers were feeling nervous as well! So, in order to get to know each other and help the children to begin interacting with us, we conducted an ice-breaking session with them. Before starting the ice-breaking game, we introduced ourselves to the children first to get one step closer to them. As it would be hard for them to memorise our names on the first day, we also told the children to feel free addressing us as sister or brother. The ice-breaking session was a great success as some of them started to get more comfortable and approached us to have more conversation.

After having lunch and short break, we proceeded with teaching the children to do their homework. Even though there are a few of them who can read, write and speak fluently, however most of the children require more one-to-one tutorial guides. I am very grateful that I can contribute my knowledge to the children and help them to understand the lesson taught in class more. From Miss Margaret, we got to know that the children mainly go back and forth between school and Rumah Hope and nowhere else. Since both compounds consist of many children, they rarely get personal attention or guide in homework. It is not easy for children at such young age to practise self-learning, hence I am glad that I was given the opportunity to share my knowledge and skills to them. During the process, I have learnt how to communicate better and make sure my messages are being conveyed to the young children. Unlike communicate with adults, we need to be gentle and patient when communicating with the children and try for many times for them to fully understand our instructions. Before leaving, we played some games such as sudoku and snakes and ladder playmats. It was a great time spent with the children and I was happy to see them enjoying the games to the fullest. It reminded me of my childhood where there was no stress or burden, only pure happiness.

Figure 2: Syafi, Yuzheng and I were teaching the children.

Second day of programme (10^th April 2019)

             After having first-time experience, I felt that we were attached to the home and children more when we returned for second volunteering service. We started off our day with tidying up the library. During the process, I learnt to appreciate what I have and stop complaining of what I don’t. This is because even though there were plenty of books available in the study corner, the study materials were limited and not organised. We are living in an advanced technology era and we constantly get access to new information every day, unfortunately the children do not have much opportunities to get exposed to these information at fingertips to help their learning process. Similar to the first day, we had homework tutorial session for the children after having lunch. After that, we played sports and had colouring activities with the children. It was indeed a great and fun session! The children were so excited getting to play sports during their leisure time, so did I. It had been quite a long time since I last played badminton and I enjoyed the sport session with the children very much. We laughed together and encouraged each other to keep up the momentum, it definitely had strengthened our bonding and a sweet memory was created. As much as the boys dominated the sports, the girls preferred to sit down and colour the drawings we provided nicely. They were so engrossed into it that they can concentrate in colouring even in a quite noisy environment as the other children were playing badminton just right beside. I was amazed by their concentration level and I could see each of them has artistic talent embedded in them. I hope their talents can be fully explored and enhanced one day in future.

Figure 3: Me amazed by the concentration level of the child.

Figure 4: The children were ‘showing off’ their coloured drawings.

Third day of programme (24^th April 2019)

             On the third day of our project, we mainly helped to clean up the home other than teaching the children to do their homework. We had helped to arrange the mattresses and bed framework to make it look more neatly and save space. Besides, we also offered workforce to clean up the food storage room. I will never forget this memory as due to the big and tall food rack, I had to climb up like a spiderwoman to get the food on the top of the rack. It was actually fun and challenging! Even though the cleaning up process was quite tiring, however, thinking that the children can live in a more conducive environment kept us motivated and energised. After the place had been cleaned up, we felt so great and satisfied as our hard work had been paid off by contributing to the community.

Figure 5: Amina, Q, Amirul, Firdaus and I were arranging the mattresses and bed framework.

Figure 6: Me and Firdaus were cleaning up the food storage room.

Last day of programme (1^st May 2019)

       Time flies and soon it was our last day in Rumah Hope. By this stage, we were already so familiar with the place and bonded to the children strongly. As it was Labour Day public holiday, we decided to have more fun and interactive activities instead of study session. We had games like crossword puzzles, drawing and also quizzes. We enjoyed so much but at the same time felt so heavy as our programme was coming to an end. We just started to know each other and get closer, yet it’s time for us to leave apart. The children were sad knowing that we were going to leave soon, they could never get used to volunteers coming and leaving, the same go to us. We wrapped up the project by giving small gifts to the children and also appreciation gift to Miss Margaret. Lastly, we took a sweet photo with the children, marking the end of our volunteering service at Rumah Hope.

Figure 7: Me playing with one of the children, Isabella.

Figure 8: We are happy kids!

POST-PROGRAMME PHASE

          It was definitely a great experience and sweet memory for me throughout the social engagement project in Rumah Hope, Paramount Garden. It was my first time volunteering and through this programme, I know that it will never be my last. From this project, I have strengthened my communication skills with public, from the children to the management staffs. Besides, I become more appreciative of what I have, and not complaining or only seeing what I don’t have. Furthermore, my problem-solving skills and critical thinking were enhanced throughout the project. Most importantly, the teamwork and bonding between our group members is the key of making this programme a great success! Even though our volunteering service at Rumah Hope has ended, but our journey of volunteering and contributing to the community will never end. Thanks for reading, see you!