KUBANG KERIAN, 11 January 2015 - 11 international students, five of them from Iraq, four from Africa and one each from Thailand and Syria were among the 100 Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) staff and students volunteers who joined the third phase of the university’s post-flood relief operations in Kelantan.

The students involved in this phase, who left for Kelantan on January 9, had just completed their first semester final examinations for 2014/2015 academic session.

One of the volunteers, Yasser Mahfooth Tabana, a School of Pharmaceutical Sciences masters student, said it was his first time volunteering in such a mission in Malaysia and it was an invaluable experience to bring back to his country.

“Alhamdulillah (all praise and thanks to God), the experience of cleaning up the hostels and classrooms in Kuala Krai has taught us a lot, and I am grateful for the opportunity to help the students affected by the floods there,” said Yasser from Syria.

“All the staff and students have worked very hard though the work entailed was really challenging, and I am glad that the cleaning operations of the badly affected hostels was carried out systematically and efficiently,” he said, encouraged by the commitment and enthusiasm shown by each volunteer.

“It is my hope that all USM staff and students will continue to assist the flood victims in Kelantan,” added Yasser.

Another international student who participated ini the cleaning operations was Akram M. Ali Mahdi Zain,a masters student from the School of Housing, Building and Planning.

“I have stayed in Malaysia for a year and was very happy to be able to be involved in this mission as one big family together with the other USM students and staff.

“I am happy to be able to help Malaysians who are in need of help, and I hope I can contribute again as a volunteer in the future,” said Akram who hails from Baghdad, Iraq.

Akram added, he hopes that Malaysia will continue to experience peace and properity, and free of natural disasters.

A large number of the student volunteers were participating for the first time and they agreed that the mission has reinforced the spirit of volunteerism among them as well as opening their eyes and mind to the woes of the flood victims.

The third phase volunteers have successfully cleaned up two hostel blocks that included 16 dormitaries, toilets, dining hall, kitchen and also the classroom corridors of Sekolah Kebangsaan Lela Jasa, Kuala Krai Kelantan.

The flood water has submerged half of the four storey hostel building and damaged nearly 80 percent of the furniture and equipments.

Until yesterday, water and electricity supply has not been restored to the schools affected and also the villages in Kuala Krai. - Translation: Tan Ewe Hoe/Text: Nor Rafizah Md Zain/Photo: Mohd Fairus Md Isa and Ayda Fatahiyah Abd Malek