Crafted on Stars, Autism Voluntarism Program

We rise by lifting others

Last 17/10/15, I decided to participated in one of the voluntarism under club at my kolej, KLM (Klub Lambaian Masyarakat). I actually started actively contributed in most of the club's program. starting last semester. I have known most of the members and get close to them. Yes, they are one of my family now hahaha

Terukir di Bintang, (Crafted on Stars), is one of the community program to serve one of the National Malaysia Autism's branch, which in this case is in Muar, Johor. The place located round 2 hours bus journey from my campus, UTM. In this program, the facilitators (that's what they called mentors/participants) divided into 2 groups. Which is community's team and people's team. Community's team in charge on renovating the house while people's team in charge of entertaining or going through a series of program with the autism kids. Since I'm not to good with small children, I've decided to choose community's team. My aimed actually to make a Mural Painting hahahaha :p

We depart from UTM at 7.30 am, and arrived around 10.00 am, with 30 minutes break during the trip.  As soon as we arrived, the facilitators divided according to their groups and we start working as soon as possible hahaha Well, when the main committee surveyed previously, they found out that one of the UTM's club also held their program here before. Unfortunately, they didn't finished their work but instead a mural's painting was left there (something to be shame of) Maybe for their club's image and stuff. This cause the facility worried that we couldn't finished our work in time. So that's why we have to prove that we are committed club B)

To be honest, before the program, I didn't really exited becoming the community's team. My task is only to paint some gate and walls, and making a mural if there is enough time. But then, during the program, I didn't really feel such a burden. All the facilitators work hard and even the main committees joined us as well. We had a talk and everyone's joking, teasing and even competing with each other. It was a fun day indeed...

A program is not about what it is, how costly it is, or even how important it is. But on how the committees works and feels toward each others...

In this program, and during previous programs as well, this club able to achieved these and able to keep me in it as well... They've broke seniority boundaries and keep the club exist with small amount of resources yet actively generating programs as well...

Another reasons joining this club's programs is the satisfaction seeing other people happy with what we did, especially those who needed. It may seems simple, we showed up to help renovating the place or to entertain people. But deep down I know they're appreciated with it.

I remember seeing moms who patiently persuaded their autism kids to go back home. They didn't even once, raising their voice. Although it tooks time but their patience is limitless. If you never seen or interact with autism before, you should realized that you really need patience in handling them...

Some of them would just hit their heads to the wall when angry. They couldn't stay put in a long time, but there are also who are too lazy to move so we should guide them up ourselves. Some of them also keep on running around, messing everything... Yes they are very "naughty" in term for the normal kids with an age 7 years and above...

Mom's love really are limitless

After lunch, as all of the kids went home, we finished up our renovating... We finished on time with such a grand mural and logo hahaha The teachers really seems surprised and gratitude with us. Who wouldn't? hahaha We fixed the playing garden, painted the whole gate, painted their logo in a big size, decorating the internal house, checking all the electricity plugs and equipments, and even added some children friendly murals for them. We really work as an effective team hohoho

Lastly, I am offered to become one of the high committee for the clubs. It is an interesting choice, but I probably would refused it. It's time to concern and emphasized more to my study and I have decided I won't actively participate in too many programs and organizations. It's not that my cgpa is bad, but last 2 years in university is one of the most critical times. I have to ensure I maintain my result and graduate on time heheh Thank you KLM :D