AIESEC Archive

Even though my Mission to teach Ong Boy was accomplished successfully weeks ago, i still do visit the Home once every 2 weeks to catch up with the folks there and to give Ong Boy a lesson or two about cycling my old bicycle. This time around, i visited him with something special – a diwali hamper which was delivered to my home

This guy behaves just like a kid. Hehe. I told him to go share it with his friends, before he ran off with it

Hello again! 

First of all, I would like to apologize for putting off the writing of this final wrap-up for the fulfillment of Mohd. Hatim’s wish because I’ve been really caught up in a lot of things, especially with dealing with my own studies as well as with regards to the University & University Colleges Act 1971 (UUCA) charge by the university against me and three of my other Political Science course mates from UKM. However, this post is not about what I’ve been up to recently or what has been going on with regards to my UUCA case, so I shall leave that to your ‘Google’ kung fu to find out more about it. And yes, I am one of the four from THE UKM4. Heh…

Anyway, to go straight into my final wrap-up for the fulfillment of Mohd. Hatim’s wish, I would like to start by thanking ALL OF YOU for the great work you have done, generous contributions that you have donated as well as the encouraging support that you have fueled me with throughout the entire fulfillment of this pledge. It wasn’t easy and I couldn’t have done it without all of your support and I sincerely appreciate every single one of the generous gestures.

Looking back at what we have achieved through the fulfillment of Mohd. Hatim’s wish, with the little resources that we had, I think we did pretty well and created quite a bit of an impact and awareness in the society, urging more and more people to be more participative in issues concerning the society. Throughout the one week period of the photography exhibition, we have actually impacted a lot more people than we originally anticipated due to the great location generously sponsored by Jaya 33′s management.

Aside from creating positive impact locally, I’m also pleased to say that the pledge for Mohd. Hatim managed to create positive impact at international level! Colin Shafer of Colinizing Photography brought about 20 Burmese children, who are currently participating in the “See The World Through Our Eyes” photo-education project, to join us for the exhibition.  It was really too bad that Uncle Hatim couldn’t be with the children because he suffered a terrible fall on the same day he was supposed to meet the children. In the end, the children also had a great time looking at the photographs as well as to learn more about how each picture is taken by Uncle Hatim, as explained by Colin.

Whenever I look back at this picture of the exhibition below, my mind will always wonder back into that 1-2 months period of this entire project to fulfill Mohd. Hatim’s wish. It made me think about the altruistic nature of human and also the generous support from the public, willing to give up its own time and money, to help to fulfill the wish of a total stranger. I’ve droned on and on again about all the generous sponsorship in kind and financial contributions donated to help make this entire project and photography exhibition possible. Also, a quick shout-out to Nikon & Epson Malaysia for their generous sponsorship of the printing of the photographs as well.

Taking down the pictures one-by-one at the last day of the exhibition, for the very last time, made me reflect on how it must’ve felt for Uncle Hatim to see his own works and photographs printed, mounted and put up for exhibition, to be shared with the rest of the world. All I can say is that the smile that broke out between his lips on the official launching of the exhibition by Senator Gan Ping Sieu made it all worth the pain, sweat and tears that I’ve put into putting this entire thing together. It wasn’t my own effort alone but I must say that the feeling of seeing someone’s wish fulfilled have made it all worth it for me. 

 Throughout the photography exhibition at Jaya 33, my routine EVERYDAY was to go to the exhibition venue at Jaya 33, PJ as early as I could from UKM, Bangi by public transportation to set-up and put the pictures up before the shops open so that when the first customers of the day stepped into the mall, the photographs are already up for display. And every evening, before I head back to campus, I would take all the photographs down and leave them at the receptionist’s desk for safe-keeping. 

I’ve also promised the management that I will keep the entire exhibition space clean and scratch-free on the tiled floors throughout the exhibition. After I’ve put all the photographs away, I began to fold the chairs and tables to be put aside, waiting to be collected by the kind and helpful people at Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya, who played a crucial role in fulfilling Mohd. Hatim’s wish by supply us with the exhibition panels used for the exhibition. 

 Something that really touched my heart at the end of this entire project was that on the last day of the exhibition, my friend from campus who also suffered a stroke in his mid-20s, actually came and visited the exhibition. Well, he was there mainly because he wanted to get in touch with NASAM but at the same time, this exhibition is also for stroke victims like him, who struggles from day-to-day fighting to keep their spirit up and to continue to believe in their own ability to break free from the constraints of a stroke condition.

Say HELLO to Loong:

I really don’t know what to say to wrap things up but I just want to say that it has been one incredible roller coaster ride for me for the past 1 or 2 months that I’ve worked on this project. The media coverage on the exhibition was also pretty good, considering that we were not only covered by the mainstream press media (special credits to Jonathan Teoh for the hi-res scans) but also on public radio! 

I’ve also transferred the generous donations from the public for Mohd. Hatim into his account on the first day of Raya 2010 and below is a computer-generated receipt from Maybank2U.

 Oh well, I guess this is it! Very likely the last time I’m going to write in this space and just want thank all of you again for the great time and awesome lessons learn from this entire project. Special shout-out to Jonathan for all of the assistance, contacts and encouragement along the way that have made all these possible. 

Cheers!

It was a fine Sunday when I made a visit to PPKKTAS (Selangor Handicapped and Mentally Retarded Children Centre) at Ampang Jaya with Tina and Jasmine to meet our beneficiaries. It was my first time to meet Fui Yin, a girl who is of the same age as me and also share the same hobby. We both love to dance & she likes to do some colouring work too. * * I came with limited expectation as I did not have the chance to interact with mentally challenged people. We were greeted by the person in charge of the day, Deepika and she led us to meet Fui Yin and friends. It was a unique experience to communicate with her as she can’t speak a word. Non-verbal communication skills really come in handy and Deepika also became our ‘translator’.

  Hello everyone ! (Fui Yin playing happily with the balls brought by Tina) 

We started off the day playing with balls. However, their attention couldn’t stay for long. So, we moved on with some colouring work. I could notice that she really enjoyed doing it. We had quite some fun moments together. 

I am so proud ! 

Right after they had their shower, Deepika asked Fui Yin to show us some dances. We played some Hindustan songs and Fui Yin started to dance excitedly. I guess Deepika must have taught her well. Some of her friends and me joined in the dance floor too. It was fun watching them and dancing together. 

All in all, it was a happy day spent with Fui Yin. I think it is the same for the rest of them at the centre too. I am really grateful that they are taken care well by Deepika and other staffs at the centre. And I really hope they will stay happy everyday. Being happy is just that simple.

It was great time spent when my friend May Yee and I took two amazing kids out for a trip to Aquaria in KLCC. Md. Ikhwan Syauqi and Umarul Amin both from Rumah Aman we’re brought on a journey to fulfill their wish of visiting the KL city. You can find the blog we’ve written on May Yee’s pledge page linked here.

Below are more pictures of all 4 of us having a great time in Aquaria KLCC and also the playground. I think it’s not only the two young boys who have learnt through this journey. I think I have learnt a lot too. Of how a simple deed can go a long way. =)

A month has gone by since the last time I’ve met Mr. Teoh. The fasting month came and went by in a flash and I was pretty tied up with work having to travel out of the country for a few weeks. Not to mention the Hari Raya celebrations that was just over.

Well, amidst my busy schedule, I actually manage to survey for a hand splint in several places. I went to a few hospitals to survey for the price. I went to the Ampang Hospital, a few Medical Equipment suppliers around KL and PJ area, the Universiti Hospital, Pantai Hospital and such but in the end, the cheapest one that I found is the one nearest to my office! Which is the one in University Malaya Hospital. I went there for the second time once I’ve confirmed that it was the cheapest one available and got instructions from the lady at the counter. I chose the size which I think would fit Mr Teoh and off I went to make the payment! How excited I was when I was there. Thinking about how this would help Mr. Teoh. He now will have the hand splint to straighten his wrists and palm. Without the help of the hand splint, Mr Teoh will have trouble straightening his wrist and opening his palm. He can’t really feel his right hand after the stroke. So even with difficulties straightening his wrist, he doesn’t feel anything in his right arm. Nonetheless, this hand splint will be able to make his muscles relax a little bit and make him feel more at ease.

So last Saturday, I woke up at 9am and got ready. (That’s early considering it’s a Saturday mind you) Left home at 10am and head off to Setapak to Mr Teoh’s house. I am supposed to be waiting for Mr Teoh’s daughter, PS, at the Wangsa Maju LRT Station where she would then lead me to her home. Oh boy was I glad I left earlier. I got lost around that area for around 20minutes. PS was trying to give me directions the best that she could and in the end, I finally found her at 10.10am A little bit late but negligible by KL standards. =P (Heck I am usually punctual! This does not mean I am late)

When I arrived at Mr Teoh’s’ house, I was greeted with Mrs Teoh. She came to me, shook my hand and smiled wide saying “Alif, lama tak jumpa”. It was all I needed to feel comfortable and not feel awkward getting into their house. As I walked into the hallway, there he was. Mr Teoh, sitting on his lazy chair with a low table in front of him and a Chinese Newspaper on it. He was reading the news at that time and when he saw me, he went blanked for a moment. Then when I came closer, I saw a wide smile on his face. Mr Teoh is always a joker, a happy go lucky kind of person and he always have this mischievous grin on his face which I find very comforting. I asked if he remembered me and he nodded and I asked if he remembers my name. After awhile he said “DA- LIF” It was pretty close and was happy that he still remembers me. I corrected him of course and started to chat with him and Mrs Teoh a little bit. PS then served us drinks and joined in the conversation. It went on for about 30minutes and then I took out the hand splint that Mr Teoh wished for. I fixed it onto his hands and despite not being able to feel much difference, I can clearly see the look in PS and Mrs Teoh’s eyes that says “This will definitely help him a bit”. For that moment at that instant itself, I felt touched to the core. There are no words which could express how I felt that day. We then continued chatting for probably another 20minutes or so until I decided to make a move. Didn’t want to interrupt them with their daily weekend activities. Mrs Teoh actually wanted to bring me out for lunch but I politely declined saying that my mom already cooked at home. Didn’t want to trouble them treating me for a meal. =)

As I was walking out the door, Mrs Teoh caught me by surprise. She took my hand and put a red packet into my hands. I didn’t want to take it at first but she insisted. She said, think of it as a Hari Raya Ang Pow. I took the red packet and slipped it into my pocket not wanting to turn her down. We said our goodbyes and I promised the elderly couple that I would visit them again in the future. I took a mental note on the location of their house and made a silent promise that this would not be the last time I would be seeing the both of them.

I was all smile for that day. The only thing I am unhappy about is for the fact that I FORGOT TO BRING MY CAMERA!! Even my handphone camera wasn’t working!! All in all, it was one of the most memorable moments in my life thus far and I hope it wouldn’t end here. I think the true beneficiary of the Promise Me Campaign is none other than myself.

When AIESEC Malaysia contacted the AIESEC Alumni Team previously about their little project in collecting funds for HOSPIS Malaysia, I decided to get the team together and contribute to HOSPIS Malaysia. Having had personal experiences with HOSPIS Malaysia, we truly believe that our contribution would help to ease the pain and suffering of some of their patients. Therefore, the AIESEC Alumni Malaysia Team came together amidst our busy working schedule and manage to collect a total contribution of RM2000 to HOSPIS Malaysia.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed and we wish HOSPIS Malaysia all the very best in their daily operations. We hope that with our little deed, we would be able to pass the message across that no matter where you are, and how busy you will be in the future. You should always take some time off to think about the less fortunate. It doesn’t take much to reach out and help the less fortunate. Thank you.

AIESEC in Universiti Putra Malaysia took up this pledge in raising funds for HOSPIS Malaysia in hoping to provide better equipment to the patients in HOSPIS Malaysia. Although we are all very busy with studies and with our projects that we were running, we decided to take up this pledge and help out as much as we can. We did not have fund raising events, neither did we organize charity drives. We just simply collected funds from our close friends that we have in university. Imagine going to class with a piece of paper in hand explaining about what TLC does and it’s Promise Me campaign. We manage to collect RM200 from our friends

Also, we would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who has contributed. All of them are students and being a student myself, I understand that we students don’t really have much in our pockets and this makes your contribution all the more meaningful. It’s the thought that matters and we hope that our little contribution of RM200 would be able to help HOSPIS Malaysia in helping for those in real need. From since the day I heard about TLC and what they do, I’ve always reminded my mom to buy their products. Every cent matters. =)

We met up with Razman again a couple of days later. It was an arrangement to finally buy the skateboard! His chaperone led the way to a mall nearby of which name I don’t remember. There were a lot of people around as it was the Puasa month and everyone was doing some Raya shopping. While we walk around to look for a shop that sells skateboards, Razman followed us closely. We were all very keen to finally find the shop. After asking for some directions, we were finally directed to the right shop. We were all smiling from ear to ear. After going through a few skateboards, Razman finally pick a black skateboard with green designs. Satisfied with the purchase, we headed home as it was nearly time for ‘buka puasa’. He thanked us for the skateboard and promise to be careful when playing with it. After trying the skateboard out, we had to say our goodbyes and promised to see each other again. It was all in all an enjoyable day for us, especially for Wai Leong and I to be able to fulfil the wish of a little boy.

 

 

It was great having to meet Mr. Teoh again and having the privilege of sitting with him through his speech therapy sessions twice in NASAM Ampang. Kudos to NASAM and their staff for giving their best in ensuring that Mr. Teoh and other stroke patients get the best that they have to offer. The routine for Mr. Teoh once he reaches NASAM is to be in his speech therapy for 30 minutes and then followed by his physio group therapy.

During his speech therapy, he goes through interactive exercises with other stroke patients as well as the facilitators. The exercises can be from as simple as playing a board game to reading and summarizing articles for the more advanced patients.

After that, before he starts with his physiotherapy, he warms up by walking a few rounds around the NASAM center with the help of a walking stick and with his wife and NASAM staff assisting him. When I was there the other day, I was warming up together with him during his walk. After the warm up, he then proceeds to be doing some group exercise. 

Seeing all of the patient in NASAM doing simple exercises while smiling and joking around really warms my heart. This coming weekend, Mrs Teoh invited me over to her house to visit Mr Teoh and present to him the hand splint that I recently manage to get him. I’ll probably chip in a little something extra on top of the hand splint just to surprise him a bit. =)