Page 10 - CUHK UMP Issue169.indd

9 WE SERVE WE LEARN
UMP ɽኪᄿఙ
NOV 2013
My Volunteering Days in KENYA
“It does not allow the scholar to live for his science
alone, even if he is very useful to the community in
so doing. It does not permit the artist to exist only for his
art, even if he gives inspiration to many by its means.
It refuses to let the businessman imagine that he fulfills
all legitimate demands in the course of his business
activities. It demands from all that they should sacrifice a
portion of their own lives for others.” — Albert Schweitzer
Albert Schweitzer, who dedicated half decade in Africa
as a medical doctor, inspired me to reach out for the
needy across the globe. Due to its remoteness from the
rest of the world, Kenya triggered my curiosity, which
consequently had me choosing it as the place to perform
voluntary service. With little thought, I signed up for a
four-week volunteering programme with International
Volunteering HQ (www.volunteerhq.org).
My teaching placement was in the town of Ewuaso
in southern Kenya, a three-hour journey away from
Nairobi, the capital city. The house of my host was rather
underequipped by today’s standard - no electricity, no
clean running water or a proper toilet. It was quite difficult
at first to adapt to the new environment since I was so
used to the efficiency and convenience I enjoyed at home.
However, after one week or so, I found myself settling
quite comfortably. I learned to change my mindset and
focus on the life essentials instead.
Besides spreading knowledge, I started something that
was completely new for the students - one-to-one private
counselling. They were welcome to share with me their
trouble and concerns they were facing and eager to
seek my advice and encouragement. The great demand
for psychological help encouraged me to give my best
shot. I believed that having a positive outlook on life was
important for them to remain strong when dealing with
conflicts, poverty and school bullying. Private counselling
turned out to be a very fulfilling and rewarding experience.
Their stories were among the most mesmerizing and heart
touching ones I had ever heard.
It was only when I held out my hands to them, I understood
Schweitzer’s insight from doctoring in Africa: “Whoever
is spared personal pain must feel himself called to help
in diminishing the pain of others. We must all carry our
share of the misery which lies upon the world.” Sometimes
volunteers’ job is not to solve people’s sorrow, but to see
it as it is, to identify it, and to feel for it. Then the souls
of the lost will be alleviated. This is part of the spirits of
volunteering.
I realized giving and taking always happens at the
same time. The students calmed my anxiety by their
overwhelming hospitality, kindness and candour. I
experienced love in its simplest form, which is essential to
living a good life, yet is so rare to find in our modern world.
My students had a thirst to learn and to see the rest of
the world, but they were locked up in their communities.
However, they could get a glimpse of the outside world
with the increasing contact with foreigners who visit the
village. It might be a “baby step”, but it is a step towards
the betterment.
Vivian Tai Pin-Hsuan (IBBA / Year 4)