30-Hour Famine 2009

After 2 years experiences as participant and volunteer in the famine camp, I was the organiser this year instead. In the name of UTAR, we organised the DIY 30 Hour Famine 2009. But this camp was held in such a time when A(H1N1) was a hit in the country. Initially we were quite worried if the camp would be canceled due to this. However, regardless of the problem, the camp was successfully carried out and 80% of the participants turned out which sum up to a total of 130 pax! We wore mask, we measured the body temperature, we took safety precautions ; just to make sure everyone and everything was fine =)

It was such great achievement when people were complimenting the camp and it was so much better compared to the year before. Improvement has been made and it was the efforts from everybody that was involved. Participants enjoyed themselves and informative messages were brought across to them appropriately. It managed to give them a better view of poverty and not to take things for granted in life as there are always people that are less fortunate than we are in the other corner of the world. Be thankful people!

Personally I always prefer and enjoy the most when all of us are to gather and do the final countdown together in Bukit Jalil. It is so thrilling when you get to see and know people from all over the nation are passionate on the same thing and working to achieve it. I LOVE it when everyone cheers together and it is so emotional to see such scene!

This year, Ah-Mei served as the ambassador for the famine camp and her appearance had made a big hype among the participants where everyone was so mesmerized by her stage performance! Everyone had forgotten their hunger for the moment and was on their feet to dance and cheer! Woo!

The committees that made this camp a success

Group photo

What's next for famine 2010? =)

Saya, PM 6204237 Soo Yee Hui

At first I wanted to join the National Service Programme but I wasn't chosen. Then, I heard of Askar Wataniah during my diploma days, but I was not courageous enough to take part. And finally this year, the guts got into me and I actually signed up for AW alone! But it did really took me quite a long time to make this decision. I was worried about something that it might not even cross other people's mind. I actually worried more of ah piao than anything else!

Before recruiting us as the members of AW, we were to go through some body check ups and physical training where we had our blood tested, x-rayed and eye checked. As for the physical training, we ran for 18 rounds (slightly bigger than a basketball court) and had push-ups and star jumps in between! It was crazy! I almost gave up joining AW because of this as i really hate to run! After knowing that I was enlisted, I wasn't as thrilled. I was quite confused in fact; whether to take it or not. I backed out a little. But still I wanted to give it a try as I was more afraid of regretting than to running. Then I did some shopping in Carrefour where I spent about RM200 for the stuffs I needed in the camp. Socks, shoes, shirts, towel, hairbands, pants, toiletries, stationaries, watch, hankerchief, baju kurung and list goes on. Only to know that I didn't not have those things when I needed them. I proclaimed these stuffs as my investment then.

It was really tough during the first two weeks of training. Physical training every morning which include of endless sit ups and push ups, runnings, rollings, jumpings, etc etc. Though it was only 45 minutes of training, it seemed ages! And not forgetting the marching session where we marched under the scorching sun and rainy days. The Latihan Tembakan was something awesome too! How many people in their life hold and shoot a M16 with real bullets? But I did! And we spent 4 days 3 nights in the oil palm where we slept in the tent we built ourselves (but flooded), cooked our own meals, fighted the enemies, soaked in dirty ponds, poo-ed and pee-ed in the open toilet, climbed and rolled, walked for miles, had no bath at all and tortures from the trainers. It wasn't easy, really.

I remember how we used to pant so badly after each run and those huge drops of sweat, how we used to give encouragement to each other and helps and concerns showered. We cried and we laughed. Tears and blood flowed simultaneously. But still, we've pulled it through! There were so many tough times we had together. If it wasn't for friends and self-discipline, I wouldn't have made it to the end by myself. I'm so glad that I've made some good friends in there who I can really depend on. They're like my pillar and supported me in all ways. Friends have no boundaries, right?I'm so loving them!

This one month training has bring me to another stage of life where I grew again; to be able to look at the world and people from different perspectives. Besides, through this camp it has proven right again that mental toughness is something so powerful that keeps me going all this while. I think nothing beats me for now even darkness! =)

Me & the Turtles

Here comes the long pending post on Chagar Hutang Trip (18-25 April 2009). We had this planned for like a year prior. And we finally managed to squeeze ourselves in to the Marine Turtle Volunteer Program for a good 7 days experience. We took a plane to Kuala Terengganu where we stayed a night there.

We were to do beach patrolling day and night, releasing baby turtles, nests measuring and keeping the beach clean. But there were plenty of leisure time though, where we hammock-ing quite alot during the day time, played games/cards, taking pictures, snorkeling, laughing and having real great times. There was not a single network coverage or electricity (except for the fridge and solar powered bulbs) The life there was simply simple and at ease. No interruptions from the outside world and the place is free of any pollution you can name. Body and mind are totally at the maximum of relaxing state. You can never get this experience elsewhere I promise!

.....Up in the sky we flew....

.... We conquered the mountain...

... and the sea!..

..I witnessed the hatchling of baby turtles...

... and the process of egg laying...

I have all the best things in the world during the 7 days stay! What else can you ask for a life like this? I'm so glad and grateful for be able to reach out to this amazing program. =) This is such a place that one should visit at least once in a lifetime! Seriously!