We had joined the TasteAsia festival last weekend as volunteers. It was a 2-day event and we being paid 80GBP per head for the 2 days contribution. In addition to that, a certificate of appreciation will be given as well. This time round, the organiser had chose the Melbourne Field as the venue of event. So, we heard loads of complaint from the visitors as well as from the participants regarding the place since it is quite difficult to get there and that's also one of the reasons why there were not so many people went to the festival.
The Downsides
I don't know what were the festival's objectives that had been set out by the organiser. However, in my point of view, if the main goal is to introduce the culture and food from various countries in Asia especially from Malaysia, Indonesia as well as Philippines to the local people here, then I dare to say that they have failed to achieve that. The festival itself failed to attract the local people to come n 'taste' the meaning of 'truly Asia'. Like I said earlier, the location of the event wasn't suitable, it should be held in the town centre; but I believe that, the organiser must have aware of this issue beforehand. Probably there was a problem to get an approval from the local borough to realise the festival in the town centre, I'm not sure, I'm just speculating.
Another downside of the event was the shortage of volunteers. Guess just how many of us who were wearing that yellow vest? 3 only! Me, my hubby and Thiru. But we really didn't want to look so pathetic so we just focused on doing our jobs! It was raining then in the afternoon and I was shivering as the wind was quite strong (I also didn't bring my jacket!) And the next morning, only my hubby went to the festival since I got a fever that morning.
You guys curious to noe what kind of duties that we, as volunteers, need to do?
Saturday - 10.30am – 6pm
1. Man the organisor/info tent
2. Direct car/visitors
3. Litter picking
4. Clean washrooms/ensure toilet rolls supply
5. Any other general help required (if any)
Sunday - 10.30am to 7pm
1. Man the organisor/info tent
2. Direct car/visitors
3. Litter picking
4. Clean washrooms/ensure toilet rolls supply
5. Dismantle marquee and clear up
6. Any other general help required (if any)
Lessons Learnt!
Apart from the downsides, there were loads of things that we both learn after experiencing this volunteer job. Let me ask you a few simple questions.
1. Do you mind to sweep the floor in front of other people who have bad mouth and say nasty thing to you or looking at you with a disgusting feeling? How's your reaction will be?
2. Do you mind if someone asks you to do this and that eventhough you are not have a heart at all to do those things? Moreover, the person who orders you are the one that you hate to talk or see for example; your own boss?
If you guys answer similar to this: "I don't mind", then I must say that you are really professional dude!hehehe.
For each question that I asked, there is a logic and spiritual connection between them. You see, we both find that there were some people who treated us kindly, more humanly but there were also some people who bad mouth us just because we pick the litters around the field! The worst was those people were MALAYS! It really hurts my feeling to see this kind of people really exist among MALAYS who are known for the politeness and soft-spoken attributes! I do think that some people will not change though they are thousand miles away from the home-country! Don't be surprised that the local people show more respect on us! At least they say thank you when they put their rubbish inside our bin bag! Yeah, we do understand that it's our job then but is it so hard to open your mouth to say thank you or even try to give a beautiful smile to us?!
The Prophet (Peace be upon him) has said: ‘Your smile for your brother is Sadaqah. Your removal of stones, thorns or bones from the paths of people is Sadaqah. Your guidance of a person who is lost is Sadaqah.’ (Bukhari).Unfortunately, this is rarely being practise nowadays...I am really feel disappointed to see this kind of scenario happened especially when I am here..=(
Next lesson is regarding the cleanliness of heart. Please do not speculate anything in your guys mind after you read the next following sentence. I don't like English people. BUT that doesn't mean I hate them. It's just that I found these people are quite cunning! If you read Malaysia's history(during the kesultanan melayu in 19th century), you will know what I meant! So when my volunteer's supervisor, Al****, asked us to take the bins and place them around the field, I felt so annoyed with her! It was just flash my memory back to the Kesultanan Melayu period, where these people became as the Penasihat to the sultan! I just hate this feeling; being as the subordinate to these people who had ruled Tanah Melayu for many2 years before the independence day! And I put the blame on them as well for separating the 3 main races(Malay, Chinese and Indian) economically and socially where in the end, after nearly 51 years we are independent from the Union Jack, we still couldn't break the racism wall!!!!Damn! Nevertheless, I tried to relax my mind and istighfar so that this kind of hatred will go away so that I can focus to my duty and Alhamdulillah, it worked.
Despite those experiences, we get to know many people for instance; I manage to make new friends; Kak Salmi and Acik Mah, both serve as officers in MARA office in Queensway (but Acik Mah already retired) and the best thing is, my hubby manage to land a job with Puji-Puji Restaurant. He previously had a job with one company but the job is quite tiring. Other than that, it helps to improve our communication skills with all level of people and boost up more confidence in public relationship! Being a volunteer really train us to be patient!
Moral of the story: Put a smile in your face and have a respect to everyone near you cause even though she is only a maid but she is also a human being!
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