This is a story of how a Mak Cik Indon saved my day and made me feel less miserable. I was complaining a lot recently, mainly about how deprived I am in UTP; deprived of food, deprived of Internet connection, deprived of fun. I thought that I was living less of my life when I’m back here. I thought that life in UTP is so depressing.
Then, on the way to class on Friday afternoon with Diane, we saw a Mak Cik, hanging from the roof of the shaded path to Pocket D, with her legs trying to juggle and balance a ladder. We couldn’t understand what we were seeing till she shouted “Tolong! Tolong!”. Only then we knew that she was in danger; her ladder was falling out of position and she was hanging on to her life. Only then we knew we had to help her put her ladder back into position and help her down from the roof. So we rushed there and supported the ladder and helped her come down from the roof. She was in shock. She was actually painting the roof of the shade when the ladder went out of balance and there she was, hanging on to the roof with both her hands. If she slip, she would have fallen into the drain and suffered serious injuries. She was not wearing any helmet or any safety gear.
The Mak Cik was deprived of her own safety, working in that condition. She said she requested to be given another task as she was short and it was dangerous for her to paint the roof. Her supervisor rejected her request. If a taller man was doing the painting, he could have just jumped down easily if his ladder fell out of position. A jump like that is too high for that Mak Cik.
I am certainly deprived of the luxuries I should have, being stuck here in UTP. As bad as it seems, I am fortunate enough not to be deprived of my own safety. This struck me and I began to see how good my life is, has been and hopefully, will be. We often forget how lucky we are to be what we are, where we are and how we are. Seeing the Mak Cik hanging on to her life, I realised, life is not so bad after all. I went back home last weekend to get over my emo-ness and I am back to normal now. I don’t know when I will have these sad thoughts again but I will try to remember the Mak Cik then. =)
September 9, 2008 at 11:38 am |
I was very shocked seeing them doing the painting. They looked very exhausted. Weren’t there some men to do this! Damn the supervisor! I was thinking dangers could strike anytime. Luckily you were there to help out!
Being labors, they just can’t ask for more but to do what is ordered. Many of them are very cham.
Well, it’s very true to appreciate what are there for us. Be contented about them. However, I need fast connection…Don’t care whatever it is…haha
September 9, 2008 at 12:05 pm |
just reminded me of UTP receiving some HSE awards couple of weeks ago…
September 10, 2008 at 6:14 am |
Ya, speaking about that, I’m not sure whether the HSE authorities know about this. I think in this case, it’s the contractor that is not applying good HSE practice. We did ask the Mak Cik to report to her supervisor but she did mention that her supervisor will not listen and will just scream at her. So we do not know whether she told her supervisor about the incident. Should anything happen to the Mak Cik, who will be held responsible, UTP or the contractor or both? Should UTP authorities know about this? Come to think of it, it’s kinda serious.
September 10, 2008 at 1:42 pm |
dont feel deprived…we have alot already la!there’s just too many things to do….all kinds of movie, series, anime…games..what else? except for food la.. I guess lack of good food is spoiling ur mood then! hahahah
September 13, 2008 at 3:22 am |
HALLO san nien!
Nabs here. Do come and visit my blog whenever you are free:
http://leslielinda.wordpress.com/
Till then, take care and God bless! =)