Students Plan Volunteer Project to Aid Rural Communities Back Home

By KURNIAWATI KAMARUDIN This is the final part of a two-part series. Today's topic focuses on the spirit of volunteerism espoused by a Malaysian medical student studying overseas. KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 3 (Bernama) -- Being thousands of miles away from home is no impediment for a group of Malaysian medical students to help those in need. Using Facebook and Twitter, 20 medical students studying in several countries have planned a volunteer programme to assist rural communities back home. Although their inaugural "Projek Rebung" is only expected to be implemented next year due to academic commitments, they have already started the groundwork. The project is to be carried out with the cooperation of the Malaysian Youth Council with the Orang Asli (indigenous people in Peninsular Malaysia) as their target group. Under Projek Rebung, trained doctors will carry out health checks and impart awareness on dental care and personal hygiene for the Orang Asli children. The students believe that by volunteering in community services, there is much that they can learn while helping others. THE IDEA ON FACEBOOK 21-year old Nur Ain Ariffin is chasing her dreams with confidence, but with an awakened soul that has a philanthropic bent. The second year medical student at Cork University in Ireland had never anticipated a favourable response to her call for volunteers. In less than 24 hours, about 20 of her Facebook friends had conveyed their interest in the idea and agreed to participate in the programme that was yet to be named then. "I was surprised to see the reaction from my contemporaries, most of us studied together at Kolej Mara Banting, Selangor during the preparatory course. "This project is more like a reunion for us, but I did not limit the programme to just medical students and it is open to everyone. Coincidentally, most of us are taking up the same course making it easier for us to devise the programme," said Nur Ain who heads the Projek Rebung. Initially they exchanged correspondences through Facebook, including while selecting the committee members and working out the itinerary. "It is not easy to meet face to face, especially when we are studying in different places. I'm in Ireland, some are in London, in Russia and several other nations and also, some of our counterparts are back home. "We got everything done through Facebook and Twitter, including discussions on the developments and in working out the project details to be carried out when we return home during the break next year," she said. CAMBODIAN ASPIRATION The eldest of two siblings spoke of her resolve to realise the pioneering project. Nur Ain said she had harboured the idea of starting the programme for a long time, since after returning from a volunteer programme organised by her college in Cambodia two years ago. However, due to academic commitments the idea could not be realised until she met with the executive member of the Malaysian Youth Hostel Association Muhammad Rizan Hassan through Facebook, who helped her in realising her plan. "Serious deliberations started with Rizan when both of us met in Bali, Indonesia during a youth leaders’ symposium in August last year. It opened up the doors for me and my friends to establish the Malaysia Young Humanitarians (United Kingdom and Ireland chapter) to carry out Projek Rebung," she said. Sharing her experience on her mission to Cambodia, Nur Ain recalled how she had to endure a desolate life, far away from development in a rural location in Cambodia and with hardly any amenities. The stint in Cambodia made her ponder on what she could do for humanity. It helped that her friends in Projek Rebung share her passion and spirit of volunteerism and have participated in endeavours to help those in need, within and outside the nation. "My two-week stay was enough to open my eyes to the sufferings of many and what we need to do to help them improve their lives. "I believe that back home there are many who are in need of help and with my little experience I may be able to help those living in the rural areas," said Nur Ain, who harbours hopes to participate actively in volunteer work after completing studies in three years time. STARTED WITH COMPULSION Recalling how she started, Nur Ain admitted that she did not volunteer initially. In fact, she was compelled to participate in the programme to fulfill the 180 hours social work credit requirements for the students. "After participating in volunteer work, my perception on volunteerism changed for good. "Initially, I had some reservations. But soon it became a part of me and the satisfaction that I derive is difficult to describe, especially when looking at the people whom you helped giving you a smile," said Nur Ain who has since returned to Ireland to continue her studies. To fulfill the required credit hours, Nur Ain and her group members have to work out a programme and identify locations to carry out community service at old folks homes, shelters for autistic children and others. "Seeing through the programme that I planned to serve people provides me great satisfaction. "It has helped me change my attitude and my stand. Previously, I only considered my own interest but now I understand others better and accept shortcomings and am more responsible and sensitive towards my surroundings," said Nur Ain, who participated in several volunteer programmes when she was back in Malaysia for a three month holiday recently. Among the volunteer programmes she was involved in included helping the homeless, volunteering at old folks’ homes and collecting donations for children with heart problems. Nur Ain's foray into volunteerism has the blessings of her parents. She said: "Throughout the three-month holiday I only thought of what I could do for society. I do not have the money, but I could still contribute something to help provide relief to someone else and in turn, derive satisfaction." -- BERNAMA