Self Reflection Au Hui Yan

Au Hui Yan, KIL170514

Planning Phase

During the early stage of planning, we have experienced many difficulties. Our first plan, organising camps in several secondary schools to introduce the Form 4 students to the engineering field, did not work out. However, this did not stop us from finding more suitable organisations that accept volunteers. Luckily, we came across the National Cancer Council Malaysia (MAKNA) and met Ms. Priya, who was the person-in-charge of the volunteering department of an exhibition, named ‘The Uncommon Good’. It was held in Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) on the 24^th and 25^th of November 2017. In this exhibition, we found much more Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) than we could ever imagine and know. Through the journey of exploring, we found an organisation called Pertubuhan Pusat Kebajikan Destiny, which is located in Klang, where they specifically take in and take care of refugee children. We gladly joined as volunteers. I strongly believe that there cannot be success without failure. We met some bumps along the stage of planning and preparing but we were unstoppable! I can still remember that we could not find transportation even until the night before going to our destination. That was quite a hectic night but we all came through at the end of the day.

This project is done with everyone’s hard work. Every step we took was carefully taken, prepared and executed by every group member. I am satisfied that everyone’s opinions were taken into consideration.

Execution Phase 1

Distributing THE UNCOMMON GOOD flyers to the public

18^th -19^th of November, 2017

Pavilion and Mid Valley Megamall

We were told to distribute flyers to promote this fair to the public in the two venues mentioned above. Trust me it is not easy to distribute flyers at all! I have distributed brochures before promoting my college back in the days but this was completely different as the public was more ignorant and they tend to just quicken their steps or plug in their earphones. I could not remember how many flyers exactly we were given by Ms. Priya but they seemed to be like tonnes of them.

Even though in the beginning things did not go as expected, things happened more smoothly after some time. I personally prefer a personal connection with my audience; hence I did not like spamming the flyers but I took my time to explain the purpose and impact of the fair to my targeted audience as much as possible. The crowd did not seem to be as mean as we thought they would be, instead they spent their time listening to us and promised to join. Well, of course, we all clearly knew that it was the ‘FREE Admission’ that first caught their eyes. Still, many people promised to join and I did see familiar faces during the fair. This satisfied me even though my contribution was small, I drew people to join this fair and actually brought impact to the society by grabbing the community's notice.

Through this activity, I learnt to be alert to my surroundings to catch every opportunity as“every project is an opportunity to learn, to figure out problems and challenges, to invent and reinvent” which is quoted by David Rockwell, a well known American architect and designer.

                                             Explaining the fair to the public

Execution Phase 2

The uncommon good- AN NPO FAIR AND FORUM

24^th -25^th of November, 2017

KLCC

We were undoubtedly nervous about the fair as none of us has done this before and we have not had a clue of what we should do. We were soon assigned to different departments. I was assigned to the Welfare cluster to distribute flyers and explain about the activities of several organisations which are eHomeM@kers and more. We walked around and explored more about what NPOs actually do and how they contribute to the society in every aspect. I noticed the exhibitors for each booth seemed to be well pleased by the crowd and they very much welcome volunteers.

Out of all the four clusters, I prefer the Environment cluster; hence, World Wide Fund’s (WWF) booth was one of my main sources of excitement for this fair. As my father had done monthly donation to WWF when I was younger, I have strong impressions of them saving wild animals, especially tigers and turtles. The volunteers in the magazines and posters were my childhood heroes and I have always wanted to be one. In the fair, I took the chance to ask them questions and know more about what they did, what they are still striving to do and, of course, how I can become a WWF volunteer. What was more exciting is I finally had a chance to buy a WWF recycle bag, which has a printing of a tiger swimming (drawn by Delwin Cheah, who is the world’s youngest savant artist).

Other than the WWF, I was very interested in the Free Tree Society. The name of the organisation speaks for itself. It literally gives out free plants and gives free classes to volunteers and students about gardening. I was inspired by the exhibitors’ spirit as they sounded proud of their achievements and they were delighted to explain to the crowd and volunteers what their main goals are and how they did what they did.

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” -Winston Churchill, the former British Prime Minister during the World War II.

                                                     FREE TREE SOCIETY

                                                  Art work shown in the fair

                                     Explaining eHomeM@kers to the public

                                 Engaging with the exhibitors from the PAWS

                              Had so fun with this awesome peeps from WWF

                                                  YES, we definitely had fun 
                                    

                                                     My group members

Execution Phase 3

Pertubuhan Pusat Kebajikan Destiny

1^st December, 2017

Klang

The person-in-charge, Ms. Irene, briefed us when we reached our destination about the importance of the organisation and impact it brings to families especially women and children who are under-privileged. They take in and take care refugee children, and teach them moral values and discipline them as Ms. Irene stated that these will be useful in their daily lives and lead them to a better future. The kids were delighted to meet us as not many new volunteers have joined for quite some time. I was not good with children at all so it was a little awkward because I did not know what to do with them but they were too sweet and they are such great huggers! We fed them lunch and even had a dancing session with them, which is my favourite time with the children. Trust me when I tell you my heart melted with their laughter and HUGS! Even though they come from different places, they have similar family background. They mostly suffer from abusive fathers or the family suffers from financial crisis. It was heartbreaking to hear such news from Ms. Irene. 

I had loads of fun with the kids' infinite number of hugs even though it was a tiring day. 

                                        Group picture with some of the kids

                                                   Dancing with the kids

                                                        The classroom

                                             Teaching the kids alphabets

                                         THEY ARE TOO CUTE TO BE TRUE!

Post Project Reflection

The UNCOMMON GOOD fair has really inspired me as I enjoy volunteering. These NPOs started from scratch. They met much more problems and difficulties than we could ever imagine yet they still stand their ground and remain committed to their work. Raising awareness and bringing impact to the society in every way are their motivation to continue their path. Such courage and determination should be inspirations to the younger generations.

Other than the fair, the volunteering session in Klang was awesome too and brought me to some thinking. When I was younger I wondered why I was not born with a silver spoon, even until now this thought still strikes me from time to time. However, comparing with these kids, I have so much more than what they have. I have both parents who love me and raise me, friends whom I can speak to and I enjoy their companions and I do not have to worry where and when I can get my next meal from.

Other than that, being selfless sounds like a cliché but it is true. Ms. Irene worked in the corporate world for 35 years yet she decided to join the volunteering sector and contribute to the society bit by bit. This organisation is not paid but she put all her heart into taking care the children like her own and taking care the place which the children consider home. It gives them warmth and love. To me, this is selfless and yet brave. Such bravery and selflessness, few characteristics we should all be looking for in ourselves which would make us all better people, are truly rare in this society.

Be patient. Being patient is not my very best quality. Honestly, I was slightly annoyed when the kids did not listen to me. Well, I did an attitude adjustment right away because I knew by heart that kids are naughty by nature and I was like them before. Being patient to others and take care of others’ feelings are of what I want to learn and enhance on as I am too care-free at times that I did not think how my actions would affect others.

I strongly believe every difference we make is important. We might see it as very small but it might make a difference to a person's life. Every change matters and every impact counts. 

Lastly, volunteering is definitely what I would do in the future. In fact, I already signed myself up for volunteering in WWF!! Who wants to join?