Transformative Journal of Nur Nasuha Mohd Zainuddin

Name: Nur Nasuha Binti Mohd Zainudin

Matric No. : CIA160122

We are accounting students of University Of Malaya managed to finish our social engagement projects at SK Pendidikan Khas Selangor. The social engagement project that aims to serve back to the community were held on 1 April and 2 April 2017. I felt so excited to be given such an opportunity to do enjoyable activities with the students. I gained significant experience and learned a lot of things by joining this program. At first, I felt so enthusiastic to do activities with the student but at the same time, I felt nervous as we knew that the students have disabilities in hearing and speaking. I am afraid that I could not communicate with them since I did not know anything about sign language. I also had no experience in this kind of program before. However, luckily there was a kind and cooperative teacher who is willing to be a translator for us so that we were able to communicate and deliver instructions to the students. He also helped us a lot during the program. The student's age range is between 7 to 13 years old.

Before the program began, we expected that we might be facing difficulties in handling the students, but our expectation went wrong. They were actually very good students and easy to handle. In the beginning, we thought that all the students could not listen and talk, but eventually, we figured out some of them are able to hear and one of them could talk. Thus, it became better to interact with them. I could not forget all the precious memories that we created there.

Despite the program was held for about 2 days and 1 night, we still managed to do a lot of fun activities with them. The activities we had on the first day were colouring section, crossword puzzle challenge and ‘bangunan idamanku’. The first event that I would like to highlight was when we played crosswords. There were three stages of the games which are easy, medium and hard. What makes it more interesting was, the student managed to solve the games in less than an hour. We were utterly surprised and astonished. We learned that even though they are not normal like an ordinary person, they are very smart and brilliant students. We also learned new things which is sign language. We felt contented because the students were willing to taught us on how to pronounce our name and recite doa in sign language. We were totally amazed.

Other than that, they are also good in sports. It was proved when they showed their best while playing a game named ‘Galah Panjang’. Everyone was having so much fun playing the game. Then, when it came to dinner and lunch time, they will be waiting for us to eat together. We felt so happy because they treated us very well as their guest. This kind of wonderful moment made us become closer with each other. Next, we performed Maghrib and Isha’ prayer together.  We also had a video time of which we watched a few motivation videos together while waiting for Isha’ prayer. All of us really enjoyed the videos even though the videos made us feel sad. On the last day, we enjoyed some activities such as explorace, supermodel and parachute games.

Time flies so fast, we did not realise that the program came to the end. At 3 pm we had a closing ceremony which was the time to give presents and award for the winner and it was the time to say goodbye. It is hard for us to leave them as we created a lot of memories together even though in a short period but still meaningful and memorable.

I believe the program taught me a lot of moral values that I could not even gain it at any places. What I can describe about the students are, they are a very discipline, smart, and great students. If we provided them a lot of opportunities and chance for them to show their ability and potential, I believe that they will become a successful person in the future. Moreover, all of them are staying at the hostel thus it indicates how independent they are. At young ages they were taught to manage themselves in doing daily task such as washing and ironing clothes. It impressed us a lot because we know that even a normal child in same age will not be able to do that kind of chores. People with disabilities learn so much throughout their lives which is valuable life lessons that able-bodied people rarely get to experience.

Next, the value I learned from this program is whenever we face hard times and feel wants to give up, we need to know that there are people out there who never give up in their life although they have disability. Apart from that, I felt grateful because this kind of school exists because it protects the disabilities student and provides a lot of benefits to them. I’m sure that this kind of institutions will help and teach them a lot of things that make them able to survive in the future. My last word is, never ignore somebody with a disability, you don’t realize how much they can inspire you.