A173351

24th & 25th  July 2023

What have you done?: 

I became a volunteer under Kechara Soup Kitchen along with my three friends. We begin our elective posting by attending a briefing and introduction session with Vicky (who is a PIC from Kechara). During the briefing session, Vicky explained about the activities/programs that are being conducted by Kechara such as Empowerment programs (teach baking and sewing so the participants can try to improve their financial and quality of life), Food Bank (collect donations and provide food supplies for the needy) and Soup Kitchen (provide food and other necessities for the poor and homeless). These activities/programs focus on ensuring the needy and poor receive the help and are able to improve their lifestyle. Vicky also showed us around the HQ where we can see the food storage area and the empowerment program area. We received cookies which are the sample product from the empowerment program. The next day, we conduct the first volunteering activities which are provisional deliveries. In which we need to send the donation to the old folks home and children home. 

An eye opening experience that allows me to understand and know better about the current living condition/economy of our communities. This experience makes me feel the need to contribute to society in any way possible – not just in the medical field. Apart from that it helps me to reflect and improve on my social skills and communication skills as I need to communicate with people from all sorts of backgrounds (eg: Kechara staff, an elderly, kids, the administration from the old folks home, etc).

Your feelings & thoughts:

I am very excited yet a bit scared as during the volunteering activities there are no staff from Kechara that accompanied us. Due to that, I need to prepare myself each day for any challenges that may come and maintain good communication with Kechara HQ. 

For this week, there were no difficulties. 

Rewarding experience

I will try to get involved in other volunteering activities while improving my communication skills. At the same time, I am eager to learn more about volunteering work. 

A183602

24th & 25th July 2023 

My friends and I decided to volunteer under Kechara Soup Kitchen (KSK) for this elective posting. Our first day started off with a briefing given by Vicky, the person-in-charge from KSK. We watched an introductory video which explained the activities carried out by the organization such as food bank, soup kitchen and empowerment program includes sewing and baking class. Then, the PIC brought us to visit the Head Quarter (HQ) and the empowerment office where we witnessed the area where they do the sewing and baking activity.

The next day, we met the PIC again at the HQ and were briefed on the activities which are provision deliveries and our role is to deliver the donations. We were given the opportunity to deliver the donations to a children home and old folks home. To make sure that the entrusted goods are delivered, there is a clear instruction in the WhatsApp group on the steps to deliver the donations and report it to the Manager of the Food Bank, Katie. 

4. Your feelings & thoughts 

I am excited to do volunteering activities as this is my first time to volunteer under Kechara. I was a bit nervous when we learned that we are doing the activities without the Kechara staff on-site. However, it went easily as the people we met were very kind. As I engage in this activity, it occurs to me that I find joy in even the smallest of tasks that I do to help those in need.

 

There were no difficulties during the activity. It went smoothly and heartiest thanks to my friends who were with me the whole journey.

 

Fun and Interesting

 

I anticipate more challenging situations to be faced next week such as going to communities in disadvantaged areas. Hence, I will prepare mentally and physically to face those obstacles. Besides, I would like to learn more about the organization’s other activities.

Last week , I volunteered at Zoo Negara for my elective posting. It was a 8 hour volunteering session with breakfast and lunch breaks in between. I was assigned to the children's world section. My first task was to sweep the hippopotamus cage and i gotta admit, seeing those big hippos up close initially scared me. However, as I got to observed their adorable behaviors, my fear subsided, and I felt more at ease completing the task with the guidance of the zookeeper. Besides that, i also experience preparing food for the animals such as monkeys, rabbits and others with few others volunteers. We need to peel and grate the carrots, bananas and whole lot other type of fruits and vegetables. Next up after the breakfast break was cleaning the guinea pig cage. It was the most challenging yet satisfying task of the day! Why ?? First, I have to say, the smell was overpowering, and second, I need to pick them up with my own hands (without gloves) in order to clean their cage. But then, working with a partner and seeing the task through made me proud of myself. Last but not least, after the lunch break, i was told to clean the goat's cage. Surprisingly, the goat was friendly and well-behaved and it was fun to clean while having a little goat buddy. Replacing the old sawdust with new bedding while the friendly goat curiously accompanied me made it the most memorable experience of the day. 

Such an incredible and educational journey that taught me about wildlife conservation and the enjoyment of interacting with animals. Truthfully, performing various cleaning duties helped me to appreciate how crucial it is to protect the animals' welfare. Just like us, when our environment is threatened, animals can also become ill in the same way that humans can. This has motivated me to try my best to provide a secure environment for them. Furthermore, spending time with the animals and learning about their cute and charming traits motivated me to show more compassion for other animals. 

As it was my first time volunteering at Zoo Negara, I do feel a bit nervous or unsure about what to expect. However, as I engage in various activities and interact with the animals, I could experience a sense of fulfillment, joy, and satisfaction, knowing that I am contributing to wildlife conservation and the well-being of the animals. Additionally, as I learn more about the animals' personalities and unique behaviors, I might develop a deeper connection and appreciation for them, fostering a sense of empathy and care for other animals beyond the zoo setting. 

As I was handling the guinea pigs without any gloves on, I was worried about the hygiene issue.  However, thanks to the knowledge I owned and the zookeeper constant reminder, I was able to lower my concern by washing my hands according to the WHO handwashing guidelines. 

Enriching and inspiring 

I wanted to try a different section with more wild animals and probably do a lot more of feeding than cleaning. 

Siti Nur Khadijah Binti Sha’ari

A174511

30th July 2023

 

I have joined a gym training to improve muscle strength, mental discipline and maintaining healthy weight under a personal trainer, Coach Halil in Summer Fitness Gym, Kuala Kangsar, Perak.

 

I subscribed to 1 month training plan which consists of 5 days training.

During this week, Coach Halil had brief me about the weight training will be increasing but we will start with zero weight, just to train our muscle as an exposure. 

I am also introduced to calorie deficit concept that is reciprocating the amount of calories used upon training. We were focusing on calorie used must be more than calorie intake.

Monday - Cardio (I managed to handle it but still catching breath at the end of session), 30minutes run with pace 11 for 1.5km

Tuesday - Back training (It was easy as I started with 5kg weight)

Wednesday- Abdominal training (I cried to do 1minutes plank with consequence back pain)

Thursday- Shoulder training (It was easy yet tricky because I was lifting 1.25kg on one arm)

Friday- Legs training (The muscle sores is felt most prominent even though at 5kg load only)

 

Highly motivated

Excited

Happy 

The concept is actually easy to be heard than done.

My current weight is 83kg with BMI of 32.4kg/m² (Obese Class 1).

My coach said, we shall not waste all the sweat with sweet drinks and uncontrolled diet. Everytime I am craving for sweets, remember the sweats in the gym.

On Friday, during the leg day, i started to develop a disbelief that one day, I will be training with an extra of 50kg weight.

 

Muscle sores - massages in the weekend

Dietary control to manage weight - home cooked meals (meal prepping)

 

Motivated

Excited

 

I will corrected my steps to make sure the targeted muscle is achieved. 

I will believe in myself that I can handle heavy weights over time that I have trained.