Mission to Pulau Mantanani

On the 15 - 17 May 2009 Mercy Malaysia Sabah Chapter conduct mobile clinics to Pulau Mantanani in Kota Belud.
The group were :
Volunteered by 3 doctors, 2 dentists, 2 nurses and 4 non medical volunteers.

Ready for the boat ride ...everybody seems excited....wow...

Journey started at Kuala Abai Jetty. The boat took about 45 minutes to arrive the island. I am very much fear of the blue water because I don't know how to swim. But luckily the sea was calm and we reached the Island safely.

We were most welcome by the Kampung Chief. They also helped us to carry the boxes of medicine to the Primary School SK Pulau Mantanani where we have to spend our nights.

We had to do some more packing of the medicine. In the evening we walked along the beach. It surprising to see the beach ... with rubbish. Cows grazing along the beach and cats too. They were looking for foods from the rubbish that were thrown along the beach. Shit from the cows and human can be seen along the beach. Seeing that.....I don't dare to have a swim. We were advised that if we want to have a swim we had to walk a little further from the village and over there is clean. But unfortunately we didn't have the chance to do that because of the bad weather while we were here. We were not able to watch the sunset either.

These are the cows.

Oh yes....our foods and drinks are taken care by the community here but Mercy had to supply the foods.

Saturday 16/05/2009

Its still early morning, people start coming for the medical screen. I am doing the registration assisted by Adrian, Jubi and another staff from this School. Thanks to him. We registered 467 patients. The screening run smoothly. Everybody was examined. Some went for the dental. We also distributed toothbrush,and combs. Glasses for those with sight problem. The day was put off early as we expected.

Jeff and Dr. Lai...they can do it good....the pakiring

In the evening the bad weather came again with thunder, lightning and heavy rain. The rains only stopped about 9.00 pm. After the tiring day.....we were entertained by the community with their pakiring dance.
We were also requested to dance with them. I had to learn how to do this pakiring ...wow...! Dr. Lai & and Jeff can do that good. We also did the " Poco-Poco ".

Ready to leave Pulau Mantanani all the beautiful mercy angels....hehehe.

Our handsome guys.....with 2 body guard from the Police Force, Kota Belud.

Sunday 17/05/2009

WE left Pulau Mantanani's jetty at about 7.30 am. Thank you to the Head Master of S.K Mantanani, his teachers and the village people, the Security guard whom had been carrying our foods from his house to the school with the wheel barrow. The hospitality given to us will not be forgotten . They were all nice and good people.

Luckily the sea was calm again and we reached Kuala Abai 's jetty safely. We also managed to go to "Tamu" Kota Belud. We were able to see the Tadau Kaamatan celebration and able to see the first round catwalk by the "unduk ngadau' with their traditional costume. Then we proceed our destination to Mercy Office at Luyang Perdana.