VOLUME OF TEARS

It was a hot Friday afternoon when the SUKOM volunteers were called to the International
Zone at the Game Village at Bukit Jaili for a pre-game briefing. Mr Boonlert Somchit, the
venue manager introduced himself. And he reminded us to be careful when pronouncing his
name, Boonlert not BULLET!!
There were about 60 of us volunteering our service at the main Stadium and game village in
Bukit Jalil for the trial run of the the XVI Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur
Mr Boonlert spoke for much of the 2 hours briefing, demonstrating his humour in a lively
lecture that keep us awake. But frankly, at the end of the session, I didnt understand what
he was to impress upon us. Im not sure what his message was and what is our specific duty.
Somehow the class was disbanded and all volunteers were told to report to work in 2 shifts
the next day. It is a case of water finding its own level. We just have to find out by ourselves
when and where to report for duty
Things were kalang kabut. Within one hour after the volunteers have gone home, the
officers at SUKOM informed us that they needed 3 shifts instead. And a lot of changes after
changes were made. Thats where I knew I am in for a long and winding road with lots of pot
holes, humps and road blocks.
Mr P Gunalan, one of the active volunteers lamented to me This is not fair. Why I
enquired. He replied, They (SUKOM) spelled my name wrongly. His name was spelled as
KUNALAN!! A few days later he received his accreditation Card and Gunalan was spelled
correctly.
En. Ahmad Zaki another fellow volunteer was in a good mood. Zaki and I were taking care of
the dining hall at the game village for the athletics. He greets the athletics as they entered
the dining hall. In one instance he asked a local athletic Menang atau kalah?. With a dull
face he replied Kalah. After finishing his meal he left the hall but returned to look for his
friend. Zaki at his usual happy-self, couldnt remember the face, asked the same question
Menag atau kalah. This time the athletic wasnt that friendly anymore and shot back at
Zaki Berapa kali mau Tanya? Sudah kalah. Saya sudah kalah! Faham?
The evening just before the full dress rehearsal of the closing ceremony, I was informed by
Mr Christopher Wong, the Executive of SUKOM Ninety Eight Bhd that all volunteers on duty
at the game village can leave at 7pm to witness the rehearsal at the main stadium, which is
just a walk away. Yippe! Hooray and thumps up all rounds for all volunteers at the game
village where we worked. We were all anxious to go!
Like the shoot star this piece of news lasted only for a few seconds. Actually what happened
was all volunteers at the game village is allowed to go to the main stadium for the rehearsal
of the closing ceremony except for those on duty at the dining hall. Errup! Thats mean, a
few friends and I could not go. Ouch. That was painful.
The feeling of frustration soon turned into an embracement for Uncle Chris. He doesnt
know how to break that bad news to us. How to lie? How to escape? Uncle Chris continued
to ask himself silently. But somehow he has to drop that boom shell to us.
A few of us whom were on duty at the dining hall gathered around Uncle Chris to listen to
what important news he has to tell us. Uncle Chris, the miniature size man used the
diplomatic approach. He begun by thanking us for volunteering at this game. The nation
owes us a favour. He then stretched the briefing longer by turning into the history of how he
had started this volunteering program when Kuala Lumpur was chosen to be the host a few
years back. He went on like an old recorder playing old songs. It was nice to hear but we
couldnt get his message.
But we stood by to listening to him diligently waiting patiently to hear what exactly he
wants to tell us. I suppose at time like this it is easier to put the camel through the eye of a
needle than to tell us we cant go to the stadium for the closing.
Sensing the difficulty, Gunalan interrupted Uncle Chris Sir when we signed up as
volunteers, we have put ourselves to do to anything Sir. Just tell us what you want us to
do. That broke the wall. Like a chameleon Uncle Chris was so happy he changed from dull
grey to radiant red. He has just off loaded one ton of weight from his shoulders.
He was exceptionally happy with our spirit of volunteerism. The wise man then asked if
anyone of us knew where the word volunteer came from. Nope. None of us knew. So he
explained, the word Volunteer came from the phrase . volume of tears

Bugs Tan
SUKOM Volunteer
Nadi 98 ID939357
22
nd
July 1998