Transformative Journal of Muhamad Ashraaf Mohd Asri

Reflective Journal.

Social Engagement is one of the subject that make you really stressful yet it is a wonderful and great subject.

That’s what happen to me. Started in November 2016, being in Group 5 with the capacity of 11 young people monitored by a talented Dr. Yazkhiruni Yahya, I was appointed as Group Leader even I did not attend the first meeting. With this amount of people we try to find an idea on how should this subject being carried on. After a few rejection and site visit, we came to a decision to challenge ourselves to choose Sekolah Kebangsaan Pendidikan Khas Selangor as place for us to involve with society and community. But let me tell you, this is totally different from your other experience in giving services to society. From the preparation until how does it end is really different from other experiences. Sekolah Kebangsaan Pendidikan Khas Selangor is a school with a disabilities student as they are mute and deaf.    

On the first day, we gathered at 07:30 at Dataran Zaaba while make some last preparation before we are going to SKPK. Our group are divided into two which is Group A took GrabCar while Goup B went with Jacksons’ car. It took us almost 40 minutes for us to reach at our destination. In SKPK, En. Khairi were welcoming us with a warm hug and help us unloaded our stuff into the hall. While unloading our stuff we saw a pack of student were walking in a straight two line making their way towards us. Automatically, we stand in froze and stop from what we were doing. “The kids are waiting for you to start sir”, that’s what I’ve been told. So I gather up my team and give them some motivational talk before we proceed as I know each of them were so nervous, so do I. The first session were conducted so easily as we got help from SKPK’s warden; En. Fekhry as our translator. The student were divided into 4 groups with 2 facilitators or mentors from our team. For me and Hawa, we don’t have the group as we were going to monitor them and help them with another preparation. During the first day, our activities were Colouring Session, Crossword Puzzle Challenged, ‘Bangunan Idamanku’ and Origami. This kind of activities are for them to improve their creativity and team work skill.

In the evening, we were going to exercise together by playing football and netball. But it was raining that evening so we change it into indoor games which is “Galah Panjang”. We could see the enjoyment and excitement from their face when we play together. Fom this time and onwards we become more closer. When we finish with our exercise in the evening, we were getting prepared to perform our prayer together. This time I was in a big shock as I can see and learn how a disabled person pray. Its true then that nothing can stop you to worship Allah even you are disabled. “When there is a soul, there is a faith”. When I recite my prayer, I almost cried when I see them turn their heads down, surrender to the God for what they have been gift. While waiting for our Isyaa’ Prayer we watched some motivational videos together prepared by Syazlie. After Isyaa’ prayer, we proceed to take our supper and learn together. It was a exhausthing day for both us. After taking the kids to the bed, we make some post-mortem and discussion for the next day. Our day end at 01:30 am.

On the second day, we woke up as early as 05:30 am to wake up the kids and prepare them for Subuh Prayer. After that we eat breakfast together with them and also doing some morning stretch up lead by me and Hawa. Even though they cannot listen to the song that we played but still they were excited with the stretching and warming up. Then we proceed with the activities of the day which is Explorace, Egg Parachute and Supermodel. Without I realizing it we had come to the end of our day. Preparation for closing ceremony was started at 03:30 pm and the ceremony begins at 04:00 pm. As a team leader I give out some speech for them and my team. We give the prize away for the winner and take some photo together. The ceremony went well and end at 05:00 pm. After that we have some tea time with them before packing up our  stuff. We do exchanges our phone number to keep in touch with them. We leave our activities stuff such as the bowling set, tissue and etc to them as a gift and a memory for them.

Knowing them was a blessing to me. Although people living with some type of disability may not have the opportunity to live life in the same way that we do, we must realize that disability is not inability.  Disability simply requires a little creativity and resourcefulness and a lot of hard work and determination.  To live with a disability requires a certain amount of ingenious, and for that reason, people with disabilities deserve nothing but respect considering they have to work hard just to be able to live life in the same way that people without a disabilities do.  Disabled or not, all people are capable of doing great things with the life they have been given.  We are all unique in our own way, and we all possess the potential to have a positive impact on the world. With this I would like to thank all of my teammates and our advisor for a very great journey that we have been trough. Remember, being thankful is more than enough than anything. Thank you.