|
Anecdotes of the Mission to Long Panai, Miri |
|
|
|
|
Sunday, 07 October 2007 |
The First Time…
by Dr Syarifah Azlina Syed Azauddin
I had never known that one opportunity could actually change a person’s entire perspective and outlook on life until just recently. A dream that I had had since my third year in medical school was finally realised after a get-to-know-you conversation with Dr. Tan Teik Wooi, a regular mission volunteer. A sigh of tremendous relief breathed through my lips and a smile of satisfaction stenciled on my face after grasping this dream. The dream? Simple… to volunteer.
In May 2007, I received an email followed by a call from Kak Hayat from the Volunteer Management Department of MERCY Malaysia headquarters telling me that it had been confirmed that I had been selected to go on a medical relief mission in Miri in June 2007. Since it was my first time, a split second after that phone call, I started planning what to pack for the trip. Then suddenly, I had a panic attack. The anxiety of doing something for the very first time hit me. Would I really be able to help? What if I missed something important? How would my living arrangements be whilst over there? Questions that arose were quickly discarded after realising that there would definitely be experienced volunteers on the mission who would help this young cub out. And true enough, there were many!
After practically making a burr-hole in Dr. Tan’s neurological epicenter on what to expect, I was ready. At the Low Cost Carrier Terminal, I met Dr. Arad; a quick witted Maxillo-Facial Dental Specialist, Rostam; our intrepid videographer with a permanent mischievous grin and Dr. Lew; a Paediatric Registrar who is now a new friend and kindred spirit of mine. Firm handshakes and niceties were exchanged while queuing up for check-in. A two-hour Air Asia flight and a few nasi lemaks later, we were greeted with flashes of light from Mr. Benjamin Chai’s faithful SLR camera at Miri Airport. Uncle Ben, as he is endearingly known, is the Sarawak Chapter’s Chief of MERCY Malaysia. This gentleman has such a jovial demeanor, little did I know what a great Samaritan he and his wife Auntie Lisa were and still are.
At the MERCY Malaysia home base in Miri, there was an eruption of apa khabars, hellos and what’s up with you and what have you been doing. Then hugs and laughter filled the house, especially around the dinner table. Later, a pre-mission briefing session was held detailing the people and the place we were about to venture into as well as our daily itinerary while there. All together, there were three medical doctors, two dental officers, a dental health matron, three community health nurses, three pharmacists, a dental assistant, two administrative staff, a videographer and Uncle Ben on board. After a quick shower and some much-needed sleep, we awoke the next day fresh and raring to go.
The three four-wheel drives that were hired to take us there were efficiently stocked with our personal belongings, groceries and most importantly our medical and dental supplies. A prayer was recited by Dr. Arad and Matron Veronica Wong for the Moslems and Christians respectively. Goodbyes were said and we were off to Marudi.
The journey through rough terrain lasted for almost three hours. Every tissue in my body was jolted from its dormancy, including ones that I did not even know I had! It gave new meaning to the word exhilarating. I was utterly amazed that there were two team members in my vehicle that managed to fall into deep slumber - if only I had that gift! Subsequently, we crossed two rivers on a sturdy raft and reached Marudi, where we had a hearty lunch and stretched our aching limbs.
Later, we went on a two-hour speedboat ride during which the famous scene from the Titanic was reenacted by some of the volunteers. Upon arriving, we were greeted with a warm welcome party headed by Mr. Gilbert Ding, the Ketua Kampung of Long Panai. A meet-and-greet the villagers session commenced, following which all of the volunteers simultaneously scattered to set up shop so to speak; in preparation to serve the villagers / patients of Long Panai the following morning.
At 8.00 am the next day, we started what we set out to do in Miri. Albeit slightly confused at first, we quickly found our footing and began working like a well-oiled machine; in tandem with the registry, medical, dental, eye and pharmacy ‘divisions’. As part of this organized chaos, small groups of children and adults were gathered and a dental ‘drilling’ talk was given by our Matron Wong.
Additionally, hygiene packs consisting of basic toiletries were handed to them. Periodically, big bags of clean clothes were taken out and displayed for the villagers to pick and choose from at their leisure. Serious cases like newly diagnosed asthma, cardiac cases and malignant-looking mouth ulcers were referred to Hospital Marudi.
A lady who had a possible valvular heart disease - who in my opinion was very aware about what was happening to her - expertly pointed out her swollen legs during our consultation, which then pointed me to her heart. After giving her a thorough exam, she promptly uttered a sincere and heartfelt thank you. Imagine that gesture and multiply it by 500! Not only were we graciously thanked by Long Panai’s inhabitants but the thanks we received from other villagers who had traveled far and wide to avail themselves of our services was phenomenal. And that was the total number of people we saw within the two days we were in the village where each and every volunteer (well at least this writer!) felt consumed with humility, personal satisfaction and an added purpose in life.
The same scene was echoed the next day, apart from when we had to hurry up seeing the patients - not due to haste but because we had to go to the secondary school to advise the students there regarding general health and dental hygiene as well as to remind them of the seriousness of HIV/AIDS. Then, there was a quick spot-check for scabies and head lice for which medication was dispensed.
Each night on this five-day mission, a post-day debrief was held together with Mr. Gilbert. Possible methods of improvement for future missions were discussed. Not only was Mr. Gilbert there to inspire us, but his wife and her two assistants made sure that there was hot food in our bellies come meal time – every time!
On the last night, after a fruitful team meeting, I was pleasantly surprised when Mr. Gilbert solemnly ‘adopted’ me as his daughter. I was to be known as ‘Julan Ding’. A rush of tears hastily followed. I was there to just help and to be honored in this way was not something I had expected.
After that, the villagers of Long Panai gathered where Mr. Gilbert gave thanks on behalf of his people. Subsequently, a little party and teachings of the Tarian Ngajat followed. Much fun and laughter was directed at us thanks to our many missteps and bad coordination!
We woke up the next morning with a heavy heart. It was our last day there. After packing, we exchanged adieus and went back to wherever we had come from. As predicted, our heavy hearts resulted in a sort of ‘addiction’. Each and every one of us was already planning and yearning to be part of more missions in the future.
One thing was for sure though, this chapter of my life was amazingly rewarding - in more ways than one. And in all earnestly, I can’t wait for my next read under the title of MERCY Malaysia!
|
|
|
