Angels at Work (Part 2 of 2)

Most of the charity organizations lack supports and commitment from the community – be it financially or in terms of services rendered. Malaysian Red Crescent Society (Miri Chapter) is no stranger to manpower shortage. The organization doesn’t have that much of a fund to hire people to work and depends almost entirely on volunteers. The team’s willingness to volunteer themselves in helping them to organize the Inter Unit First Aid Competition 2005 was timely as to cushion the difficulties that the organization faced every now and then. Although it might not seem a lot of effort to the community at large but I guess the phrase “every little help, helps” best describe the community service done by us.

I must say I’ve learnt a lot from participating in this community service. In this event, team work is crucial and although I’ve been elected as the Team Leader, I’ve blend in well with the rest of the team members as well as the Red Crescent Society (Miri Chapter) committee members. Tasks are segregated equally and delegated to members in accordance with their capability and interests. I’ve assured others not to be afraid of approaching me or voicing out their concerns should there are anything that needs to be addressed. Working with different groups of people, irrespective of age, background and race has made me a better team player. It has definitely fostered a better understanding and relationship among each of us. A project would not be as meaningful and might be a failure should there is no teamwork involved, even with a good leader.

The community service has made me a more compassionate person. I’ve always believed that not matter how bad a person is, there is always a compassion hidden somewhere in their heart. It is up to us to search for that little compassion in them and help it grow. One of the ways to achieve this is through public awareness. The Inter Unit First Aid Competition 2005 is timely and it can really open up doors to compassion in us.

What’s good is a compassion person if there’s he/she is not proactive? Everyone is compassionate but most of us are passive and afraid of doing things, even if it’s the right thing to do. For example, if we came across road accident, how many of us would actually stop and lend a helping hand? Most of us wanted to help but are afraid of commitment. Taking the first step is always hard. The service has taught us to be more proactive. We must be confidence and bold in taking the first step. It is never wrong to help others. For us to be proactive or passive is not much of an issue but for those in need of our help in critical situation, it could mean life or death, gratitude or disappointment.

Apart from moral values earned, the event also taught us living skills, particularly on how to react in an emergency situation and also the knowledge in first aid. These skills will definitely come in handy should we were to face an emergency situation where the lives of ourselves or others depend on whether we can react appropriately and apply first aid techniques. I’ve been to proper first aid course before, organized by Malaysian Red Crescent Society (Bintulu Chapter) and this event served as a refresher course for me.

For me, doing community service is because it’s a requirement and it is best described as an instrumental moral value – means for other mean. But along the way of performing the service, I’d had second thoughts. I have actually wanted to do it now because I want to do it. The smiles and gratitude of the people that I’d helped has opened up my eyes. Now I know the true meaning of intrinsic moral value – it is an end; it is a satisfaction and happiness. It’s really amazing that the little things that we do can touch the lives of many people.