Star Business, 18 July 2009
It is hard to come by someone like Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood. The president and founder of Malaysian Medical Relieve Society (Mercy Malaysia) gave up the pursuit of wealth to serve full-time as a volunteer, helping those in need irrespective of their race, religion or culture. Last year, she was one of 16 members appointed by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to the Advisory Group of the Central Emergency Response Fund.
1. What was the turning point in your life that you ended up serving in Mercy Malaysia? Marina Kee, Johor Baru
I have always dreamed of working in the humanitarian field and that is why I studied medicine. But I got into the paper chase and career treadmill. I was at the peak of my career and did not like what I saw. Malaysians had become such “materialistic” people. The world around us was suffering and we claim to be caring people. We measure success and development by material wealth and tall buildings.
Turn on the television and you hardly ever see an Asian organisation in the humanitarian sector. I felt I had to make an effort to change this – perhaps to prove to myself that my dreams were achievable, and an organisation from my country could be put on the world map as a provider of effective and responsible humanitarian assistance.
I needed to believe there were many Malaysians like me and what was needed was a platform to unite us to do good. I guess I am lucky. Not many people get to live their dream and it is reassuring that there are many Malaysians who do care, though I really wish they were the norm rather than exception.
2. What would you consider as your greatest reward taking on the job at Mercy Malaysia? Emilya Tay, Kuala Lumpur
Seeing people who have nothing left to live for beginning to rebuild their lives and have hope for tomorrow. The smiles on faces of women, men and children – and especially children – when there is very little to smile for just because they feel we have done something for them to ease their pain. To know that the little that we do has made a difference to someone else’s life – these things are worth more than anything money can buy.
3. If you have a chance to be a permanent medical missionary in a particular country, which country would you choose and why? Eli Dunn, Penang
I do not think I would ever stay put in one country as the needs are great in so many places. Being a good humanitarian worker means we should work to ensure local and national capacities are strengthened, and that people are able to take care of themselves to ensure sustainability. The concept of medical missionaries in the days of the past is in my opinion, “neo-colonialist”. We should be there to support people when they need us desperately in emergencies, remain to support communities while their capacities are enhanced and leave as they become independent. We should avoid creating dependency as it only weakens nations and communities. This is the way Mercy Malaysia works.
4. How do you plan to grow Mercy Malaysia to take on bigger capacity in helping people? Muniandy Kanna, Klang
Mercy Malaysia has to be solid in its governance and accountability and we have invested a lot in that over the past five years. We are the only Asian organisation certified for humanitarian accountability, deliver world-class programmes and have a reputation as a respectable, responsible and accountable international humanitarian non-governmental organisation (NGO).
In order to grow, we need to focus on more sustainable fundraising and grooming leadership in the organisation. My succession plan started five years ago and Mercy Malaysia is positioned for growth. However, we want to do this at a pace that we are comfortable with and can cope. Partnership building with different stakeholders – donors, other NGOs, international organisations, academia and most importantly the affected population – will be critical for our growth.
5. I’m sure you have travelled to many places, following the team and helping people elsewhere, and seen much suffering. Tell us the most heart-wrenching experience. Nik Azizi, Kuala Lumpur
This is a difficult one as there are so many heart wrenching experiences.
Perhaps one that comes to mind easily is my experience in Afghanistan. Women die at childbirth and one in five children never live to see their fifth birthday. It was post 9/11 and we were working in South Afghanistan. Seeing people needing to walk for days with hardly any food to get to a safe place was hard. When I witnessed some children eating dirt and mothers boiling a bit of meat and leather as soup to feed them broke my heart. But worse for me was having to go round the camp in the cold winter mornings to count the number of infants and children who had died overnight from hypothermia because of the severe cold.
6. What has been your greatest sacrifice in taking this job? Peter Lim, Cheras
My family, and my own career. I am a full-time volunteer at Mercy Malaysia and this takes away a lot of my time with the family. Many people do not realise that I am working in a non-paying job but it was a choice I made with the blessings of my family.
7. How can we influence our youth to be willing do something great and meaningful for the lives of other people? Rokiah Azman, Ipoh
We need to lead by example. My parents were kind and charitable. I can already see my children becoming compassionate human beings and we must always walk the talk. Young people need role models. Above all, be grateful for what we have, no matter how little and recognise that our life on earth is so temporary.
8. How do you juggle family life and career? Which one comes first? Mohd Yunus, Slim River
Family first though they have had to suffer my absences. Mercy Malaysia was started by both my husband and me. He always tells me I am the runner and he is the cheerleader. The children know I would give a lot up if they felt I should but they are proud of my work and also want to be volunteers. So I am really very blessed. It is a hard juggle but I try to give quality time when I am home. And communication nowadays is so much easier so we can stay in touch. I have a great support system at home with a loving husband, a wonderful nanny, siblings and friends too. They all believe in the work that I do and are there to ensure I can do it with their support.
9. Despite the economic success that Malaysia has achieved, there are still many needs particularly in the rural areas. How can you make a difference in this area? Serena John, Kuala Lumpur
Mercy Malaysia has eight State Chapters in Malaysia. Through the Chapters, we work closely with the health authorities as well as other governmental and non-governmental agencies to address particularly health and water and sanitation issues. We provide mobile health outreach services to remote areas in Sabah and Sarawak as well as some parts of West Malaysia. We also work closely with the Education Ministry on our School Preparedness Programme to impart knowledge on Disaster Risk Reduction to teachers and students.
10. Your success is an inspiration to women. What more can be done to encourage more women to take up important roles in society? Ariel Lim, Penang
Thank you for the kind comment. First of all, women need to believe that they can be effective agents of change. I do not believe gender is a limiting factor and both men and women should recognise that the best person for the job should have that job, even if it is a woman.
Women by nature are carers – and we should extend that natural trait to society. At Mercy Malaysia, we have many wonderful women who sit on the board, who are members of staff and our volunteers. Women should inspire other women, while men should encourage their women to be successful.