Flooding has always been an anticipated
natural disaster in some places throughout the country. Back in
2007, a big and lengthy flood hit the villages around Sri Medan in Johor. I was
given the opportunity to represent the National Youth Council (MBM) to help out
at the flood relief centre which was set up at SK Sri Medan (if I’m not
mistaken) as a volunteer. The flood then was quite a national buzz since the
whole village was submerged in water for about one month long. Yes, the victims
had to stay at the relief centre, sleeping in tents within the school’s main
hall for one whole month.
My volunteering work was for two weeks only. I was given a one-person
camp, which I set up just outside the main hall of the school and camped at
that centre for two weeks. Something that’s very true about Malaysians, which I
witnessed during my two weeks at that relief centre, is that lots of Malaysians
are very generous; being charitable is like second nature to a lot of
Malaysians. Provisions were sent non-stop to that centre from individuals and corporations.
One of the tasks of the secretariat at that centre then was to schedule the
donations so that the provisions are being spread out to meet the daily needs
throughout all the weeks they were there.
After my first week of volunteering and helping out with all the tasks
needed at the centre, I noticed that people there mostly don’t have anything to
do. Apart from the occasional motivational and religious talks which was usually
held at night time, there was nothing else. So I set out a short and simple
activity for the children and youths; providing them with some games, singing,
and learning activities so that, for me, they can at least learn something from
their time spent at the relief centre.
It was an enjoyable two weeks of camping and helping out at the
centre. Throughout the nation, youths should drop their PUBG-laden mobile
phones and seek out opportunities to learn and gain experience from
volunteering activities. Although, I must say that what I learn from my
experiences is that volunteering activities is not something that youths should
jump into head first. There are pre-requisites, so that the volunteering is not
abused and be used for something not good; and for Muslim youths these are
learning and developing the correct worldview of Islam first and foremost.
We have the platform if you don’t know where to begin.
All posts in this blog are my own personal views (unless explicitly mentioned otherwise) and are not to be associated with any organization or institution related to me.