UTAR Alumni

MAY 2012

Touched by Miyagi Grit

Wong Jia Hui
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery

Tan Ann Chen
Chemical Engineering

It was a Zen-like experience for 43 university students who volunteered to help the victims of Japan's devastating earth-quake and tsunami a year after the double calamity.

They took part in a volunteer mission under the Japan-East Network of Exchange for Students and Youths (JENESYS) and headed for one of the worst hit areas, the Miyagi Prefecture, including Oshima Island, the Kameyama mountain range, and the Kuganari and Tanaka Hama beaches.

Their enlightening nine-day trip began on April 7. They helped clear debris from beaches, planted flowers and helped in landscaping work besides exchanging knowledge on cultures with the locals.

Mazrul Fahmi Mahadzir, 23, said he was amazed by how 'easygoing' they were.

'They went through something so horrible and yet they were calm. What touched me the most is that, both young and old, joined in to help us clear affected areas,' he said.

The University Putra Malaysia veterinary student said they gained valuable knowledge and experience from the stint.

'It was an eye-opener. To see how the Japanese react to what happened to them is unbelievable. They were more concerned about out well-being than their own!' he said.

Nurul Farhana Abdul Rahman, 25, a medical student from Alexandria University in Egypt, was also impressed by the spirit shown by their hosts.

'They were cheerful. It just shows they are a spirited group of people. When we went to the beach to clear debris and did landscaping work, the residents joined in and helped us. It was like they did not want us to do it alone,' she said.

'If I had a chance to fo back there again, I would take it. It was an unforgettable experience.'

Universitit Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) medical student Wong Jia Hui, 27, found the experience different from what she saw on television.

'The whole experience was nothing like what I saw on the news. Being there and seeing the victims made a big impact on me. The trip also showed anyone, including students, can go out and help people in need. I always wanted to participate in volunteer work and I am blessed to be given a chance to do so.'

She said the people there were very warm. 'We felt at home. They actually waited by the road, wanting to greet us even before we reached the area.'

Tan Ann chen, 22, a chemical engineering student from UTAR, was touched by her group's 60-year-old tour guide. 'She lost five relatives but yet she volunteered to take us around. She was friendly and very accommodating. It felt like she did not want us to be uncomfortable,' she said.

'Not only did we experience a different culture, we saw how strong the Japanese could be despite what happened to them. It speaks volumes of their character.'

The trip was organized by the Alumni Look East Policy Society (ALEPS). Its secretary-general, Zamree Bakar, 44, said it was introduced by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in 1982.

'The aim of the volunteer mission is for students to gain knowledge and share experience with family and friends. The programme will continue to further strengthen ties between Japan and Malaysia,' Zamree said.

Miyagi was one of the hardest hit prefectures in the March 11, 2011, 9.0 magnitude quake and subsequent tsunami. It was estimated that 10,000 people were killed in the 2.3 million populated prefecture.

Source from The Malay Mail (17 April 2012)