Saturday, January 31, 2015

Giving Back to Society - Post Flood Cleanup

As salam, I open the curtain for 2015 with this big mission accomplished for the year. The cleaning up activity is a continuing effort from the last packing that we did at Tractors Malaysia on 3/1/15. But this time travelling to the affected kampung in Gintong, Jerantut, Pahang was required.

Our finished products

With my eldest sister Suraya Sanusi who was there to help too
The journey started early as we have targeted to reach Gintong by 8.30 am on 24th January 2015 but we were out of the schedule a bit since some volunteers have turned up late. It was a two-hour drive from Wisma Sime Darby to the Sekolah Kebangsaan Gintong and the first task we were asked to do was to prepare the rooms for repainting and cleaning of the areas assigned to us. I was teamed up with another 4 girls and three boys of whom 3 are non-Simers. There was AFA, K Zue, Hanim, Rahinee, Hendra, Ramli and another lady whom I cannot remember her name :)



We were assigned the library and computer lab a.k.a Block B in the morning. So, the cleaning started and there was so much hardened earth in between the curtain rails, the green board, the soft board and elsewhere. The school was submerged as the mud mark can be seen till the rooftop. We did the first coating repainting to dry up for the next coat to be applied on. Later in the afternoon, we were assigned to do the repainting of the classrooms of Tahun 3, 4, 5 and 6. Thank God, we have Hendra in the team as it helps a lot since he was the tallest person whom can reach the places where we could not.

The new coat of paint
Zuhur and Asar jamak qasa was performed at the mosque located just a few steps away from the school. The mosque was also affected by the flood, one portion of the building nearby was totally covered by the mud. I guess, the section is no longer in use, thus it was not cleaned at all.







The day ended at 6 pm when we were all ushered to the bus and ferried to our accommodation at ADTEC with such a clean, huge and well arranged campus. Since everyone was rushing for their shower, we opt to have our dinner instead, at the cafe. There was so much food available but being so tired just make one looses her appetite. Once we were back to the hostel, we had our shower and quickly hit the sacks.

Next morning, we woke up for our Fajr prayers and had our showers early before the whole crowd wakes up. Then we headed to the cafe for nasi lemak (again?) and was picked up by the bus to the school. The mission for the second day is to paint the external walls of the school and also the railings and wood frames of the windows. So, there I was with the team painting the school pink, good job I must say. I had the opportunity to speak to Hendra whom had also offered me to use the less heavier stick to reach the top part of the walls. After the change, my job was made much more easier and super fast. So, Hendra is an aeronautical engineer who teached in UNIKL once upon a time I guess and currently is engaged with a US based company operating in NYC. Didn't get to talk to him more since we had to split the walls. It was such a great loss of opportunity :(

Drying up process in progress
Cleaning in progress
The panels I have painted have dried up and turned out to be BEAUTIFUL!!

Good job by the amateurs
Before calling off the day, we had finished up the repainting works which we have not completed the day before in the rooms. However, there were more things which had required completion but due to time constraint, we had to leave the chores to the next team who will be coming in. We were treated to aiskrim potong while painting, to beat the heat of the afternoon.

We left the school with heavy hearts but were happy to see the school internal and external walls were covered with new coats of paints and the children left with cleaner classrooms (except Tahun 1 and 2). The 33 children would be happy to go back to the 'new look" school. A group photo with the Guru Besar was taken as a momento and I think the Guru Besar was so glad that we were leaving as he himself was looking tired from the continuous visits from volunteers.


Everyone was so exhausted but were given pats on the backs for job well done. So, ADTEC was our next stop before we headed back to KL. Along the journey, I could see the great extend of damages caused by the flood. True enough it was a mini Tsunami and not a normal flood. I know that the villagers would need a long time to do the cleaning up and settle down, but I pray that Allah will give them all the strength to move on and continue lives as usual. And I pray that we would all be protected from being hit by harsh weathers again and that we are all forgiven for our sins.






The aftermath of the tragedy
Since the Second Floor showers were all occupied, I went up to the Third Floor to have a relaxing shower instead. We left ADTEC at approximately 7.30 pm since there were two dainty ladies who did not turn up as instructed at 7.00 pm. 

We reached Jalan Raja Laut at approximately 9.30 pm and I had performed my jamak prayers before heading home. Despite the many dirty laundry which require my attention, I was very satisfied to have completed the mission which was nothing much compared to what those volunteers have to do in Manik Urai and other parts of Kelantan. I pray for everyone's wellbeing and for the safety of all Malaysian wherever they are. Ameen



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