Reflection; Khairizman (Kazy)

Mahatma Gandhi once said that the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. Social engagement has teach me patience, dedication and kindness to others. Consists of 24 people, I managed to be friends with them in just a few days. Some are quite hard to approach but at the end we are like birds of a feather flock together. We start things off with a discussion which was attend all of us from group 13 and 14. During preparation, we prepared SMK Shah Alam students with t-shirt designed by one of our members which we made a fundraising through housekeeping. We had few discussion before our event start to ensure everyone is ready and be prepare. Activities run smoothly because we have a workbook. Workbook is such life saviour and without it our event might be chaos. Our workbook explain what our members should do. For instance, I’m a photographer of the event so what I did was taking photos during the event. All of us were in charge for every slot that we want to do and as for me I was in charge in team building games. And for explorace, I was in charge at Station 2 which the students have to play dodgeball. During our preparation, we practiced zumba which was lead by Jia Jie and Yu Chin. I enjoyed every second of our practice especially during Penguin Dance song because that’s the only step that I could memorised. Moreover, a few members agreed to lend their car and drove us to SMK Shah Alam.

The next day, we gathered at Dataran Zaba at 10am but some of our members were late so we left University of Malaya around 10.30am and arrived roughly 11.15am at SMK Shah Alam. We were greeted by one of teacher who was the one who deal with us since day one. She greeted us with a smile and asked politely if we want to go inside the school compound. The way she greeted us, I know that she is a nice person inside out. The registration started after Jumaat prayer where at the same time we gave them t-shirt for Day Three. We started things off with ice-breaking session which the students play several games and get to know us. The first slot of the day was interview tips where we thought them how to be prepared for The third activities of the day was team building games which the students play games to build a stronger bonding with each other. We ended the night with meeting simulation among the students to ensure they got a clear view on how interview works and some students did very well during the interview. By exposing them with this simulation, they will gain more confidence and believe that they can do it better in future.

The next morning, it was bombastic. We started the day with zumba and dance and all of us were having so much blast. We proceed with second slot which is Journey after SPM where we talked about which path we should choose, the consequences and impact to our life. Students were very doubtful about their journey after SPM because they scared they cannot take the pressure but I convinced them that they can do it and there’s always an alternative on how to achieve their dreams. I told them to dream big because when we dream big of course we want to work extra hard and reach for our dreams. We proceed the day with Let’s Debate which was very hurly-burly. We enjoyed every seconds of the debate between the students. We thought them on how to control their anger when they try to rebut patiently with a limit time. Inspire to Aspire is a Q and A session where the students were given a paper to write their questions and express their feelings. Most of them asked same questions which is how to concentrate on studies. This one student asked me if any diploma for photography existed which I was able to answered but the time was running out. Next activities was Explorace which consist of 8 stations and it was exhausted especially my station, station 2. We told the students not the grab the balls outside the line because the facilitators will take it. It was cock-a-hoop to see the students enjoyed the explorace so much as it exposed them so much about teamwork and tolerance. The highlighted event of the day was Teatro de Suenos which basically a theatre activities.

The final day, nothing much happened as we finished everything before 12pm. We had Go Green where the students were provided with recycle materials and made a costume from it for a limited time. Most of the students were very talented and their imaginations were beyond what I was expected. They know how to cooperate with the recycle materials and describe their own designs. That was my favorite session because I’m able to witness their creativity. Thus, their creativity shines during Go Green. We ended our event at SMK Shah Alam with token of appreciation where the school principal gave every one of our members a mug.

Last but not least, all of these activities teach them how to be a leader, self-confidence and express themselves by participating with all the activities which we handled. At first I was quite sceptical about the activities we want to do but since work together, activities run smoothly. I would like to thank every one of our Social Engagement members for expressing their gratitude and compromise with each other. I learn so much throughout this event before during and after and gain so much experience and knowledge on how to handle an event. Besides, I managed to improve my photography skills while handling the students and it’s like killing two birds with one stone. I want participate more volunteering in future because every little things that we contribute bring so much joy to others. By doing so makes me realise that it is very heart-warming giving them these opportunities to join the activities because it can a create a bond that we will never forget. Finally, good time comes and go, but the memories will last forever.