That which adds meaning to life.
I went to an MSF recruitment briefing last night. I know, I am but a mere student, the lowliest creature in this medical food chain. (So please God, as I gain more ecological significance with time, please let it not inflate my head or numb my heart. Amin.) I am not yet qualified to volunteer. But I thought I could gather some motivation from the session, if nothing else.
The talk provided me with inspiration as well as food for thought. My mate and I were atually discussing the motivation behind going on such missions, both altruistic and selfish, during our drive home. Well, I have an idea of the wonderful people friends who are reading my blog. (The rest of whom I am not aware of, those who are lurking in the dark corners of their rooms with THIS SCREEN in front of them–I can’t make any assumptions about you guys =) sorry) And I know you and I already know this: There are still so many populations around the world that are severely in need. Peoples who are oppressed and desecrated, who are at the mercy of disease, poverty and disaster, who really could use a little compassion from their fellow humankind. But ever so often, This Fact needs to be reiterated, for the problem does not resolve itself by stopping to think or talk about it. Their plight is real. It can only be alleviated by action. But you already know that. I’m just preaching to the converted.
So will I be another one of those who just talks? Or who just writes lengthy emotional arguments (especially in this age in which even preteens have blogs) but does nothing? Believe me. I need to pay off my loan. I want to buy that beautiful house with those beautiful things and bring up my children in it with my husband, I want to buy my parents a house and, if I end up elsewhere than Singapore, to visit them often, I want to pay for my siblings’ tertiary education, I want to travel… I want. So much… so much. So where does humanitarian work fit in the whole picture? I want that too. So much too. How do I do the checks and balances? How much am I willing to sacrifice?
Incidentally, one of the volunteers who came to talk to us went on his first mission as a registrar. Just to put things into perspective, for me, that would be the year I turn 30, insya Allaah. He had just come back from Liberia. Then again, the other volunteer was telling us that in the last mission she went to in Georgia, one of the doctors involved just celebrated her 70th birthday. So really, I should take it one step at a time. At any point in my life, kalau ada rezki, insya Allaah ada peluang. Di samping itu, dari hari ke hari pun boleh tolong orang, kan?
It felt so nice to have someone to speak to, Live!, in malay today! I met Zura, a Malaysian post grad student doing International Relations. I swear, she is so sweet and friendly and, simply, nice. (I’m keeping a tally, in my course alone, I am crushing on 3 guys and 2 girls. Unfortunately (?) one of the girls is married. Tough luck. I actually think I’m bi, sometimes. Thank God, Ridwan’s a guy.) (I’m KIDDING about being bi ok! Cant trust what you put in the net nowadays.) Anyway I met Zura once at Zuhr and again at a gathering in the evening.
Yup, I attended crashed a sisters only gathering this evening (one of them recently got married and it was a surprise belated bridal shower for her) and made new friends from different backgrounds. I’m happy. It might not seem much but I was craving for it. There’s actually hardly any time some days to walk up to the prayer room in the main campus from the hospital. Each time I do, I wish a little that I’ll meet people in there-my Muslim sisters–even for a few minutes. I feel so estranged from my community. Today, at zuhr, I not only met a few, I was told of a gathering! I postponed my ER shift to tomorrow just so I could go. Priorities, eh? But it was the right choice! Besides, I finally met the coordinator of the iqra’ classes. Now that I know what time it is on Sunday and what to expect, I can start teaching kiddies again! One of the girls just now brought her son and daughter. Salma and Umar–I played with them and they were soooooo cute!
Today, the day itself was one of those enrichingly interesting ones. I liked it =) We had a Cultural Awareness Day so we had lectures and a video presentation on the Aborigines. It helped us appreciate the history and the health issues of the Indigenous people so as to be better health care providers. We walked over to Warriparinga. There, we had more discussions and were treated to bush (and not so bush) food along with several traditional dances.
While I empathize with the grief of the Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders for what happened in the past, I dont think I can ever fully comprehend the impact of the atrocities generations after. Not emotionally, to be specific. That’s my personal shortcoming. However, I see clearly the problems, health and others, that have arisen as a repercussion of the arrogance and ignorance of the conquerors in yesteryears. I sincerely hope that Conciliation comes to a peaceful conclusion for the Indigenous peoples of Australia. Even more so, I hope their state of living a Fourth World life in a First World nation comes to an end within my lifetime–idealistic but not impossible.
As they say in Kaurna, nakkota! Till next time…
