Day 1:
Our team members consist of:
1. Ms Jane Cha (Team Leader)
2. Ms Ong Siew Chin
3. Ms Lilyn Leng
4. Ms Sharon Wong
5. Ms Han Boon Chian
6. Ms Lee Poh Chee
7. Mr Steven Tan
8. Mr William Leow
9. Mr Tai Yew Mun
10. Mr Toh Yung Shing
11. Mr Tan Swee Leng
12. Mr Brendon Seah
We had arranged to meet at Harbour Front on the 1st Feb, 7am for ferry to Batam.
Some views of Harbour Front taken on the ferry.
We reach Batam Waterfront Jetty at around 8am Batam time. Batam is 1 hour behind Singapore.
We were ferry from the jetty to Harris Resort which we will be staying for the next 2.5 days in a Orange passenger van provided by the resort. The resort is about 5 mins away from the jetty.
After we had reached the resort, we were group up into 2 and given our rooms. We proceed to change into our work attire and re-assemble in the lobby to get ready to leave for worksite.
The same van brought us to Kav. Bukit Seroja Blok B1 Dapur 12 where we met our guide from Habitat, Mr Junianto or Aan that we usually address him and Mr Jonter Sianipar Hutasoit, owner of the house that we are going to build on. We were told by Aan that actually most of the people are immigrants from other part of Indonesia. As they do not have a proper place to live in, their government relocate them to temporary houses building by planks. Habitat had thus call for volunteers to help to improve their living conditions by helping them to build proper houses. The owner to be of the house will have to pay a small amount of the total construction cost and also contribute in form of labours. Their friends and neighbours will also help them in the construction which the owner will return by helping back next time their houses are built.
1) Entrance of the village, 2) The worksite, 3) First Aid Point
After Aan had briefed us on the safety to take notes and what we aim to complete for that day, we proceed to take tools for the task ahead. We are supposed digged a septic tank of about 2m deep. This is going to be hard work as we first had to hack away the top part the ground which are stones. We also need to dig a small drain and trim the side of the wall. The digged up soil will then be used to fill up buck for the floor.
Digging the Septic Tank.
Digging the drain and trimming the walls.
Packing up the soil to fill up the buck and compact it.
The end product after we filled up the buck with soil. However, this is not the only buck to fill. There are a few more inner of the house compound.
As we are not accustomed to labour like these, we got tired quite easily. Jane had constantly reminded us not to over-strain ourselves. Thus, from time to time, we will stop for breaks to replenish back some energy. Lunch and tea was also taken on the worksite and foods were delivered to us by the hotel staff.
Resting and toilet break
This is how the existing toilet bowl looks like. It is actually quite small. The door of the toilet do not have a proper lock. Ladies using the toilet will have to ask female teammate to help and guard the surrounding. Flushing is done by pouring water from a big pail in the toilet.
At around 4.30pm, Jane suggested that we end the day of work slightly earlier as it is just the first day and we should try to save some energy for the second day. By the way, we had to work from 9am to 5pm for the first 2 days.
This is how much we had digged at the end of the first day.
Covering up the hole just in case it rains at night. We did advise them to put up some warning sign to tell the others that there is a hole around there.
Packing up after the work and get ready to go back to the resort.
A group photo with the kids from the neighborhood. The people there are very friendly. The kids will walk with us all the way to the road where our van was and wave us goodbye when our van gets ready to leave. It is actually a very encouraging sight and make us feel that every single hardship we went through is worth the effort.
After we cleaned up at the resort, we met at the lobby to go for our dinner at the resort restaurant, which is included in the stay in package.
The dinner menu.
Gado-Gado and Chicken Soy Sauce.
Cap Cai and Fish Matah Sauce
Fried Noodle and Fresh Fruits.
After the dinner, we went for some shopping at some shophouses nearby the resort in a van provided by the resort. We stop at Holiday Inn, another resort some distance away to take a look. It is quite pretty. We saw a wedding ceremony going on when we were there.
After that, we went for a drink and some finger food at a restaurant nearby the shophouses.
Day 2:
We met for breakfast at 7.30am in the resort restaurant and then changed and get ready to head for the worksite in the resort van.
Waiting for the rest of the team-mate.
We reached the worksite at around 9am. As the digging of the drain is almost completed, some of the team-mates started on new job scope: building the walls and cutting the metal rods into the required size and bend them into rectangular rings. This is for making the require support structure for the house column later. The rest of us continued to work on the septic tank.
Mdm Han and Ivy getting guidance from Aan on how to cut the metal rods.
Siew Chin bending the rods that were cut.
1) Wall built by Jane. 2) Wall built by Yew Mun
Each time we stack up the walls, we can only stack it up 4 layers as the higher it gets, the higher possibilities that the wall will collapse due to the cement that holds it had not dry up yet. Thus the process is actually quite slow. The bricks that were used were quite fragile. There were times when a smaller size of the brick was required to complete the row that was under construction. Thus, to get the size we one, we had to cut or break the unwanted part away and this can be done by giving it a hard knock with our hand. It is just like what we saw on television. But for own safety, it is advise not to do it that way. Please use proper tools like hammer to knock the unwanted part away as we are not train to perform breaking bricks with bare hand.
The septic tank is almost done but need trimming on the side.
Then we stopped for lunch. A wild dog appeared sometimes after we finished our food and snatched a packet of the throw away food from the dustbin we created out of the plastic bag. Thus, to protect our tea break food, Lilyn suggested we hanged the food on some nails she knocked into the wooden pillars of our tent.
Next we are ready to start on building the supporting structure for the column. Below are the items we need for the construction.
Long Metal Rods, Rectangular rings, Wires, Pliers
We had to first unbend the long metal rods by slowly steeping on the bend part in the opposite direction while you hold on to the other end. It is advisable to do it with caution as the rod is very long and it is possible to hit someone with the other end of the rod that is hanging in the air.Next we had to slot in the rings into a set of 4 long rods. Then space out the ring with a distance of about 18cm apart or 1 short ruler length. Then use the wires to secure the 4 corners of each ring and then twist the wires to tighten till the wires snapped. The end product looks something like this:
As the whole rods are put on the ground to do, we had to maintain the bending position all the while we are into it and it can be quite tiring to the back of our body.
At around 5pm, Jane called for work to be stop and get ready to go back to resort.
A group photo with all of us in the septic tank we completed.
Yew Mun, Siew Chin and Yung Shing finishing up the last few bricks for the walls
The house built by the January Team. It is now left only the roof.
Lady of the January Team house with her kids
The septic tank of January Team house, which is smaller than ours.
Completed house built by other volunteers.
Resting before we head back to the resort.
After we washed up, we set off again in a rented van to a massage center in Batam Center to relieve our body of the 2 days stress. As Lilyn was having motion sickness, she opt out the massage together with Sharon and Brendon also give a pass on the massage due to his sunburn.
After that, we headed over to the Nogoya Food Court to have our dinner. We ordered from this Chinese stall call Brother Seafood.
These were the dishes that we ordered:
From what you see here, guess how much is the total price? It is about SGD$120 which included 5 bottles of beers and some other drinks. Cheap right? The taste of the food is nice also.
We also ordered some pancakes which is also very nice. Some of the ladies bought extra back to the resort.
On the way back, Lilyn suffered from the motion sickness again and vomited out all her dinner. Poor Lilyn. Hope she is not hungry in the middle of the night. But she do have a effective medicine for motion sickness which she forget to take before we went out for dinner. Anyone got motion sickness maybe can contact her for the name of the medicine.
Day 3:
Today is the last day we will be volunteering at Batam. We will only be at the worksite for about half day before we set back to resort to pack up and get ready to go back to Singapore.Thus, we reach the worksite at 9am and start to complete the support structure for the column.
This time the Habitat people helps to build a simple stand to hang the half complete structure so that we do not had to bend to much down to work on it.
At around 11am, Jane called for work to stop and start to pack up as we had to rush back to resort to check out our room. We finished whatever we had on hand and start to pack up.
A group photo we took before we left the worksite.
The Habitat guide the present each of us with a certificate as a token of appreciation for our hard work there at Batam.
Group photo with certificate.
First day at the work site Last day at the work site.
Compare the pictures and you will see how much we had achieved within the past 2.5 days.
Lilyn, Jane, Siew Chin and Sharon with their favourite tools.
Then its time to say goodbye and we return to resort to wash up and had our lunch in the resort after we bid the owner and Habitat Aan goodbye.
My sunburn arms and face.
The lunch menu.
Vegetable Cream Soup, Chicken Black Pepper, Fish Tauco Sauce and Sauteed Long Bean.
Cakes and Fruits.
Last group photo before we left for the jetty.
The 6 ladies in our group. Its great to have them in the team. They are just as strong as the guys.
Guess which is whos’ hand.
In the ferry on the way back to Singapore.
Some harzards at work site to take notes off:
Protruding beams at head level and some have nails sticking out of them. There are also some metal rods sticking out of the ground. Together with the uneven ground, it will be fatal if anyone happen to lose balance and fall on it.
Tips for the next team:
· Use better sunblock, SPF 130 sunblock which can be found in Watson, is highly
recommended by Sharon.
recommended by Sharon.
· Buy cloth type worker’s gloves which is more handy and suitable for work at site.· Don’t use
cap. Use straw hats or ranger hat preferably.
· Bring wet tissues.
· Had a good breakfast and good sleep (at least 7 hours) before you start work
· Do warm up exercises before you start work.
· Beware of wild dogs from stealing your lunch and tea break.
· Do bring preserved tibits (sour or salted) to replenish salt in take.
· Do bring some energy booster (beer aka "ang mo liang teh" or 100 plus)
· Use the correct tools to work.
· Change any defective tools you came across as it can be dangerous with one.
· Look where you are stepping on. Unbalance ground can cause you to fall down.
· Do not lean against walls that are just stacked up. It will fall as cement is not dry yet.
· Do not over-strain yourself. Know your limit. Rest when you need to.
Some words from our team mates:
From left to right
Back: Brendon, Swee Leng, Yew Mun
Front: Poh Chee, Sharon, Lilyn, Boon Chian, Siew Chin, Jane, Steven, William, Aan, Yung Shing
Siew Chin:
- Despite the physical demands, it was a therapeutic break from the office, knowing that it
is “Hope” that we are building.
is “Hope” that we are building.
- We were certainly passionate about what we were doing: when I grabbed the wall we
were building to prevent myself from falling down, my co-worker commented that “You
can fall but don’t bring the wall down”! Ugghh….
were building to prevent myself from falling down, my co-worker commented that “You
can fall but don’t bring the wall down”! Ugghh….
- It was amazing how creative the locals are; they are able to improvise with what little
they have to improve efficiency e.g. build an elevated platform so that we can do the wire-
works standing instead of squatting. Back here, the more we have, the less creative we
get.
they have to improve efficiency e.g. build an elevated platform so that we can do the wire-
works standing instead of squatting. Back here, the more we have, the less creative we
get.
- I appreciate the team work of my co-workers: the able-bodies ones willingly did more
than their less physically fit counterparts (like me) but we all put in 100% effort to
complete the task.
than their less physically fit counterparts (like me) but we all put in 100% effort to
complete the task.
Swee Leng:
In volunteering for this project, one has really be mentally prepared for the hard work that will drain one’s body empty of energy.Observing the children and thinking about the home that one is helping to built for them certainly help one forget the feeling of physical exhaustion.The massage and seafood dinner on the second night should be introduced to the other teams that are going. It would be good to pass the information to Gwen of Group Communication for her to coordinate with leaders’ from the other team.Although the first day was overcome by physical exhaustion, the though now is that if opportunity is there, I would volunteer again.
Yung Shing:
- Happiness is appreciating what you have.
- Family = Happiness- The works maybe tougher than anticipated but our bodies are even
more tough than we thought.
more tough than we thought.
- Together as a team we can achieve more.
Boon Chian:
At last I can make it..
Brendon:
It is an unforgettable experience. It had been quite some times ever since I experience such great teamwork. It also provide me a chance to see more of this world and as well had a getaway from dull working life. It is definately an eye-opener for me.
Also I would like to take this chance to thanks my team for their inputs to this blog entry, especially Lilyn, Sharon and Yew Mum who had given me alot of help in consolidating the photos and advices given.
Also I would like to take this chance to thanks my team for their inputs to this blog entry, especially Lilyn, Sharon and Yew Mum who had given me alot of help in consolidating the photos and advices given.
Yew Mun:
I just came back from Batam. Not for holiday, but rather, to be a untrained construction worker. 2.5 days of solid work and I am rewarded with muscle aches, sun-burnt skin and tons of satisfaction. On the last day, we find ourselves looking at this road that leads back to the hotel for the last time. We have reached the end of our self torture little foray into making lives of the poor better. Each of us will bring back with us memories of these 3 days where we work our socks off. We are all office personnel. We are not used to doing such heavy stuff, and yet, here we are. 2.5 days of solid work. Everyone has done their part. Some may do more than others, but all gave their best. What we give in efforts and sweat, we got back in gratitude, experience and friendship. I am glad I came for this.
More from Yew Mun
Lilyn:
The trip to Batam was definitely memorable and rewarding, especially the kampong lifestyle, the "samsui" woman's day of work, the "back-to-the-basic" construction knowledge, the interesting & supportive teammates, the villagers, the children.....I would like to express my deepest & greatest gratitude to all who have take care of me when i am sick, especially Jane, thanks."
Steven:
We really showed our team spirit for the 3 days in Bukit Hajih (as named by the locals). It was an eye opener for Team 2, enabling us to hand on to lay foundation for the new house in this project. I feel that the main aim of giving hope to the less fortunate people is definitely achieved.
William:
Dream of a new home come true to the poor and the needy in Seroja Blok Dapur 12, Batam. Team MCT mission was really very memorable, wonderful, blessed and extremely rewarding in MediaCorp 'Building Home Build Hope' project.
Poh Chee:
Need a lot of endurance and determination, but teamwork and team spirit is an important factor for everyone to carry on. The most rewarding part is when we see what we have achieved at the end of the day and the smile on the villagers’ faces.
Jane:
Many hidden talents surfaced during the 2.5days. I survived the muscle straining work because there’s great teamwork and power packed teammates. Very good experience indeed.
Sharon:
It is a fresh experience as this is the first time I joined a charity organization to extend a helping hand to the needy. It is also a good challenge physically as the tasks we did need a lot of strength. This also provides a good opportunity to know my colleagues from HQ who I seldom meet in my course of work.
For more photos, please click on the link below:
