To help create awareness in emergency preparedness, 20 Civil Defence (CD) Lionhearters shared safety skills with villagers residing at the foot of Indonesia’s most active volcano.
From the 7 to 16 December 2011, 20 CD Lionhearters from the ITE College East-CD Lionhearters Club, 4 advisors from Mercy Relief and 5 SCDF volunteer officers went to Mount Merapi located in Magelang, Central Java.
Putting compassion into action, the team imparted important skills such as fire fighting and first-aid to more than 150 villagers and 50 school children.
The highlight of the expedition was spending an afternoon with the villagers in a mass Disaster Preparedness Evacuation Drill involving the local authorities and nine villages.
The half day event simulated a volcano eruption and villagers had to evacuate to safety and receive food supplies, comfort and medical help.
"I enjoyed the evacuation exercise the most. There was a lot to do, logistics, transport, commentators, role playing for search and rescue teams and medical teams as well,” says Sivashankara, 23, ITE College East-CD Lionhearter.
The team also helped in the construction of the local evacuation route by laying the cement and foundation together with the villagers.
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| Lionhearters helping to lay cement for the evacuation route together with local villagers. PHOTO: ITE College East CD Lionhearter Club |
While some of the CD Lionhearters were learning to pour cement, others had the chance to visit with locals and share first aid skills.
“Before the trip, we helped to pack bandages and SCDF trained us in fire safety and first aid. These are useful skills which were not too difficult. The skills learnt can be applied competently and we teach them to the locals,” says John Goh Chiang Leng , 20, ITE College East-CD Lionhearter.
Eight nursing students were also given the opportunity to be attached to the local polyclinic to observe the doctors and nurses and assist in simple procedures.
The team also shared fire fighting skills such as the usage of fire extinguishers with school children and villagers.
“I am touched by the villagers’ positive attitudes. They were very friendly, warm and were eager to learn our English language. I was also shocked that there is a lack of knowledge on basic healthcare. Some villagers still use coffee-powder on wounds, believing that it helps,” shared Nurul Fatin Bte Na’im, 18 Member of ITE College East-CD Lionhearters Club.
Some earlier efforts by Mercy Relief include $65,000 in relief aid, provision of mobile clinics, a central kitchen, children’s play packs, hygiene kits and psychosocial support.
Respiratory care equipment (including oxygen concentrators, nebulizers and defibrillators) were also provided to three health clinics serving the Dukun, Sewangan and Srumbung sub-districts.
An early warning system was also established and educational workshops were held for the villagers - all to enhance the communities' preparedness against Indonesia's most active volcano.
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| Practical Fire Extinguisher Training Session conducted by the CD Lionhearters. PHOTO: ITE College East CD Lionhearter Club |
Despite the probable consequences of another eruption resulting in death, distraught and destruction, villagers choose to remain in their place of birth.
“Despite natural disasters, they are still cheerful, and believe that there is a spirit in the volcano. They respect it and love their place of residence. I think we can learn to be positive like them” says Sivashankara, 23, ITE College East-CD Lionhearter.
It was not all work and no play. The 20 CD Lionhearters also learnt lessons on the village’s culture by learning to dance, plant chilli seeds and harvest crops.
They also paid visits to the local temple and to the volcano museum. “We learnt to put our fears aside and just appreciate life,” added Nurul Fatin Bte Na’im, 18 Member of ITE College East-CD Lionhearters Club
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| Lionhearters try their hands at chilli planting. PHOTO: ITE College East CD Lionhearter Club |
SOURCE:
http://www.hometeam.sg/article.aspx?news_sid=20120502eUW0lejlNq7J
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