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Sunday, 07 October 2007 |
SARAWAK MISSION 8 - LONG BEMANG, MIRI
From the 4th to the 7th of January 2007
Reflection by : Sharmila bt Mohd Nadzir, 2nd Year Medical Student, Cyberjaya University College of Medical Sciences
Long Bemang, Miri - A community health project was conducted by MERCY Malaysia in Long Bemang, Miri, for two days (5th and 6th) on the first week of January 2007. The team, led by Datuk Dr. Jemilah Mahmood, comprised volunteers from different professions and backgrounds including medical doctors, a dentist, medical students, media crew, a pharmacist and non-medical volunteers.
The program was initiated by the Sarawak Chapter of MERCY Malaysia during which primary healthcare check-ups were conducted for the locals of Long Bemang, as well as the neighbouring Penan community. Additionally, MERCY Malaysia assisted Long Bemang by providing basic supplies as a major portion of the village was flooded at the time of our arrival, causing problems for some villagers to attend the team’s mobile clinic.
The whole mission was a learning experience for me - both as a medical student and as a concerned human being. Accustomed to the many ‘luxuries’ in my life, I realized just how much I had always taken for granted after seeing how these less fortunate villagers lived. Even with only basic necessities or sometimes less, they still led a happy life. Right from the first day of meeting them, I could see how contented they were - and their innocence shone through as well – untouched by the harshness of city life. They were really excited to see us and I could feel how appreciative they were just through the grip of their handshakes.
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