THE INORDINARY EXPERIENCES – ZI HUEY

THE INORDINARY EXPERIENCES – ZI HUEY

            I have never thought of involving myself so much on volunteering activities, until the university course – Social Engagement has been introduced to us. Social Engagement has brought 11 persons from different backgrounds together, including myself to work as a team to contribute to the society. We were asked to plan activities that are beneficial to the society in a given period of time. And then, we had all came to an agreement with our supervisor, Dr. Zalfa, to carry out volunteering activities at Zoo Negara and a kindergarten located in University Malaya, which is known as Tadika UM (TADIKUM).

Day 1 – Zoo Negara (8/5/2015)

            We began our first social engagement activity as a full-day volunteers at Zoo Negara on 8^th May 2015. We were divided into 2 groups and each of the groups was in-charged of different areas in the zoo. I was in the same group with Nabilla, Siva and Yee Lin. We were asked to clean up the shelter of the animals and also feed them. I was quite shocked at first because we need to clean up the animals’ home and to be so close to them as I was afraid of animals. However, it was not as bad as I thought indeed it was very interesting that I tend to overcome my fears on being so close to animals.

Our first job of the day: Cleaning up the shelter and feed the Indian bulls.

 The very huge Indian bulls, the one in front has a name, King.

Cleaning up the feeding area, which was very tiring yet satisfying when we saw our work were paid off as the area was as clean as new.

After our job was done, we were allowed to have a closer interaction with the bulls by feeding them. =)

Our second job of the day: Clean up the shelter and feed the Capybara.

The cute Capybara, also known as the biggest type of mouse in the world!

Our job was mainly cleaning up part of shelter and distributing the food evenly for the Capybara. It was fun when I got to feed the Capybaras as they were so adorable and obedient. However, from the information provided by the zookeeper, the Capybara was hunted for its skin and meat. We are supposed to protect the animals, not to hurt them for our selfish wants.

Then, our third job of the day: Feed the honey bears.

We were not allowed to get too close to the bears as it is dangerous because we do not have any experience on dealing with bears. So, our job was just to place the honey bears’ food in their cage when they are in other cages.  And one interesting part of the process was that the zookeeper poured some honey on our palm to let the honey bears to lick the honey from our palm. It was a very special experience as we got to have such close interaction with the bears.

And then, we marked a full stop for our first day of volunteering after we finished all our tasks. It was fun to work with my awesome group members!