"I can still remember her face so vividly as she had this cheerful smile despite having only 2 front teeth and with a twinkle in her eyes."

Ros Anita Mustapha
MAKNA Volunteer, Malaysia

I was asked to do a report on the voluntary work with Makna during the abovementioned date. I must admit that this was my first experience as a volunteer in such capacity. I have had undergone a few charity drive, visits to old folks homes, events with orphans but again, never near what I had experienced during the one day visit to patients homes with Makna. It has been an unforgettable experience, something that will probably be in my memory for a long time to come. Unfortunately, I did not manage to record names of patients, addresses, diagnosis, and prognosis but as much as possible I will try to report my views and concerns as a volunteer on this first visit. My apologies too, for submitting this report later than expected but as we all have other commitments, I too fall in this category and only today have I managed to complete my report.

Our first visit was a lady, Puan Rosita Mustapa Kamal, 44 years old who in my opinion seems to be coping well. Excuse me for my ignorance and lack of experience but as I have had no previous contact with CA patients, I was pleasantly surprised to find her healthy and moving on with life so positively. I somehow visualized that she would be bedridden and immobile but as I mentioned, I am guilty for my naivety and even though I did have some fears of meeting patients, it was diminished immediately. She did however show signs of anger and disappointment with the slow response and lack of interest shown by welfare officers in hospitals. Mama Gie was very sympathetic to her predicament and took details and names of welfare officer to assist her. With regards to Micro Credit, she is also keen and enjoys baking hence have agreed to do a basic working paper for submission to Micro Credit to enable her to market her baking.

Next was an Indian mother of 2, Madam Krishnavani, 41 years old, whose husband has left her to fend on her own. She always had a smile on her face and meeting her has left me feeling somewhat ashamed of myself for still finding excuses and complaining with what I have to go through in life. I was totally amazed with her lively attitude even though she has to deal with her condition and to make matters worse having had to deal with a drunken, jobless husband. Now she believes that since her husband has left, she has one less problem to deal with which personally, I agree completely. Despite all odds, she still takes care of her ailing, almost deaf mother in law and 2 school going children in a run-down, minimalist home. She counts her blessing as she is still employed and able to work in a nearby factory which enables her to sustain her family. To make matter worse, she has also lost a brother who used to give her monetary assistance. Also showed interest in making muruku to supplement her income.

Our next visit was another mother in the Semenyih district. Her living condition is quite good as her other family members are living within same vicinity with her. She is Maslina Binti Ahmad, 38 years old. However, I was quite concerned about her health as she was having a perpetual cough throughout our visit. I don't quite remember exactly what she is suffering from but I believe it was something of a chronic nature. She is supported by her husband and in my opinion; she is not deprived of emotional support by her family. To prove a point, her eldest daughter scored 8As in the last PMR which I believe must have given her all the motivation and positive outlook any mother even the healthiest ones could have.

Further on in the remote area of Semenyih, we visited another mother Puan Hazizah bt Ismail, 51 years old. I can still remember her face so vividly as she had this cheerful smile despite having only 2 front teeth and with a twinkle in her eyes. A very soft spoken person she is also supported by her husband and a few of her older children who are working but still have a few school-going children. She was interested in Micro Credit for her daughter who is keen to open a small sundry shop in a nearby village. Shaz will communicate with her daughter to gather more information.

After this visit, we headed on to Kajang but was told by her sons, that their mom has been admitted in Hospital Kajang. We then proceeded to visit her in the hospital. I was devastated to see her in so much fear as she continuously repeated her incapability to cope with the disease. I remember so vividly her eyes that seemed so troubled and her face pale with remorse. One of the other volunteers, recited verses of the Al-Quran to which she followed to ease her burden. She has had to stop her two school-going children from continuing school due to financial constraints. I can only hope that with Makna's strong support and continuous effort to help patients like her, will at least make her realise that she is not alone and that there are people that care and are willing to support her in any way possible.

Our last visit was to an extremely remote area of Sepang to visit a child of 5 years, adik Siti Zulaikha Mat Zain. I have a very soft spot for children and to see them suffering left me to control my emotions beyond belief. Even though she seemed like any normal 5 year old, cycling and running about, it still made this visit the most difficult for me. Not only does she have to suffer with her condition, her mother is unable to work to care for her and her father has abandoned them. They are currently staying with her grandmother and even though they do have shelter, I believe they are deprived of everything else mainly food. We were told that her father holds a respectable job in the government sector and it has left me to wonder how any human being can be so irresponsible and so heartless to just leave his wife and kids especially in this "worst-case scenario".

I wish I could provide more details of my first voluntary assignment but my conclusion here is that this trip has made me changed my outlook on many things to a different level. During the visit, I believe I was a little bit withdrawn especially towards the end as I had so much mixed emotions to deal with. However, I am honoured and proud to be associated and given the opportunity to lend my support, no matter how little it may be, to such a fine organization like Makna. I look forward to be of more help and assistance in whatever possible way in the near future.

My sincere thanks to everybody at Makna

Ros Anita Mustapha
Volunteer for Makna Home Visit
Sunday, January 22, 2006