Before March I don’t think I had ever even heard of Malaysia apart from the movie “Entrapment” In case you’re in the same boat here is a brief overview on the country.
- Malaysia is on the Malay Peninsula in Southeast Asia.
- Population: 27 million
- Capital City: Kuala Lumpur
- People: 50%Malay, 33% Chinese, 9%Indian, plus Indigenous tribes such as orang Asli &Iban (Sarawak.
- Languages: Bahasa Malaysia, English, Chinese Dialects, Tamil, Indigenous dialect.
- Religion: 52% Muslim, 17% Buddhist, 12% Taoist, 8% Christian, 8% Hindu, and 2% Tribal
- Government: Parliamentary Monarchy
- Major Products/Industries: Tin, rubber, palm oil, timber, oil, textiles, electronics.
- Climate: HOT, HOT, AND HUMID!
The Majority of my time was spent either at the Kawan Center or at Penang Adventist Hospital.
Kawan Center: similar to a homeless shelter however the center was only open from 10am-3pm. The Kawan center offers free breakfast and lunch, showers, a place to take a nap and laundry service. I helped out in the kitchen making the meals and on other days I just hung out with people at the center. I learned that the main need for people who came in the center was just a listening board. I heard a lot of crazy stories from people living on the streets and either had a substance abuse problem or was still in one. I enjoyed just being able to listen and let people know that I thought they were worth listening to. Best part of my time at the Center would have to be when about 10 beauticians came in and gave free haircuts.
Penang Adventist Hospital: My team volunteered at a hospital on the corresponding weeks we weren’t at the center. My experience was nothing like my volunteering experiences in the states. My team helped raise money for a heart pacient foundation at the hospital. We did this by selling stuffed animals (Angel fish) and tin piggy banks shaped like a heart to people in the waiting rooms. I learned A LOT about humility, submission and ambition. I sometimes felt like a peddler and awkward selling to people in the hospital but I did because I was asked to. We ended up raising around $2,000 with another World race team we spent the month with.
Overall my month was amazing! Not only did I enjoy our mission work but we had time to sight see. I went to the Penang snake temple, butterfly farm, and Botanical Garden.
