REFLECTIONS | LUMEN
25
Gratitude
Sabah Bongkud
By Chang Zhui Ning , Micaela Leong
The IPW experience that 24 of us had in Kampung Bongkud , Sabah , was amazing as we dedicated ourselves to service work and cultural learning .
It was a whole new experience to sleep in a longhouse , and to wake up to the incessant crowing of roosters . We also used squatting toilets and bathed using a pail , and one of the girls had a real scare when she discovered a praying mantis in her toilet ! It taught us to appreciate the luxuries we take for granted at home .
We carried out a lot of cultural activities in the afternoons . This gave us a front-row seat to the everyday life of villagers , to appreciate and learn some of their culture , language and history , to recognise the value of a simple lifestyle , and allowed us to broaden our view of the world .
Almost everyone we met was kind , warm , and all too ready to help us – many shopkeepers were chatty and generous . At the end of the trip , we gained a new perspective and appreciation for village life . This was a trip that nobody expected to go on at the last moment , we had to change from our original destination due to unforseen circumstances to Bongkud , but we all went anyway , and it turned out to be a meaningful experience .
Kota Kinabalu was an experience to remember . From the old secluded old folks home to the peaks of Mt . Kinabalu , our trip to Kota Kinabalu was definitely special . One of the most memorable moments for me personally was ascending the mountain on the first day . 11 of us stayed at a campsite overnight before trekking to the summit . At the campsite , we had the opportunity to gaze at the breathtaking view – the multiple lights depicting the city ; the world was literally at our feet .
The idyllic scene was threatened when Jia Da fell sick on the second day of our mountain hike . We had to cooperate to transport him and his bag down the mountain . It was an opportunity for friendships to be strengthened even further because it meant we could really rely on each other to overcome this quandary .
Upon reflection of our service component , we really felt so fortunate to have the company of our own family . The elderly at the home usually did not have families or were abandoned by their
families . I felt this really opened our eyes to the harsh reality of society , where children disregard their parents because of inconvenience or one suffers due to unforeseen circumstances . I know our visit resonated with many of us because a number broke down when sharing about their experience of interacting with the aged at the home .
During this trip , we have been vulnerable to emotions and the extremities of the weather but we have been enriched in spirit , soul and body .
Sabah , Kota Kinabalu
By Jonathan Ng