Boleh sampai tak boleh sampai?

The HIV awareness programme we're hoping to do for the Orang Asli community is targeted for December, in conjunction with the World Aids Day. Hopefully we can get all the plans worked out by then.

But I can't wait until then to give help to the OAs who are already infected/affected by HIV - especially cases which had already been referred to us. Like the recent case I mentioned.

Actually another volunteer, Pat, has been assigned to Wan, the OA lady. I'm just the co-buddy, that too because the volunteer who was on clinic duty when Wan's case was referred to Buddies, felt that Wan's son deserved assistance from our Children Education Fund.

Earlier, when I asked Rosnah on the whereabouts of Wan's kampong, Rosnah told me that we'd need a 4 wheel drive to get there. Then later when I asked Shila, Shila said the kampong is accessible by car. She had gone there twice to mandi sungai.

This morning Pat called me to ask me again on the name of the OA lady. You see, Pat stays in a town where there are quite a few OA settlements, and other than being involved with Buddies, she and her husband, with another group of volunteers do go in to OA settlements from time to time. So yes, Pat is quite used to going in to OA settlements. Just as well that she has been assigned as Wan's buddy.

However, Wan's kampong is in another town, not far from the town where Pat stays. After getting some info from me before Raya, Pat was thinking of going to visit Wan. She had wanted to go for the past few days, but it had been raining in the mornings and her husband advised her not to go on rainy days as the roads may be slippery. But the weather looked clear this morning and so Pat called me to get more info on the lady before attempting to find the kampong, which she had not been to before, and so she herself couldn't be too sure of what to expect.

About 4 pm today, Pat called me...

"Aiyo Afizah, don't ever attempt to go there alone lah!"

Pat was glad she went in her Kancil, and with a friend. Apparently, the road is very narrow, and she had to go quite far in, uphill. After asking here and there, she still was not able to get to Wan's house. She then got to a place, where she was told she'd have to walk to get further in. The only other choice is by motorbike.

Well, both Pat and I had visited Hana's home before where we had to park our cars at the bottom of the hill and climb up on foot. But that was considered easy - walking up would take less than 3 minutes.

To get to Wan's house, Pat was told that she'd need about an hour walk. An hour?! I guess when Shila mentioned the place is accessible by car, it never occurred to her that we'd have to go so far uphill.

Nope, Pat was not prepared to walk that far in. But she wasn't about to give up either (she's a very dedicated volunteer!). Coincidentally, one guy was going up on a motorbike, and so Pat stopped him and asked if he knew Wan. Luckily the guy did. So Pat asked for a favor from him - asking him if he could go up and get Wan to come down to where Pat was. She even gave him some petrol money in return.

Off the guy went. Pat and her friend had to wait for quite some time, she thought the guy had simply ran off with the money. But the guy did finally come down, much to Pat's relief. After all the waiting, Pat was told that Wan had gone to the hospital for her appointment. It was at this point that the guy admitted to Pat that Wan was actually his sister! Duh! So Pat gave her number to this guy, and told him to get Wan to call her.

Anyway, the guy mentioned that based on the time, chances were that Wan would be at the town's bus station, back from her hospital appointment. Off he rode his motorbike to town, and within minutes, Pat received a call from Wan. True enough, Wan was at the bus station. So Pat told Wan to wait there for her.

Yes, after all the obstacles, Pat did finally get to meet Wan. Wan has a sister who stays in town, and her sister can be contacted by phone. At least if we need to get hold of Wan, we can now pass a message through her sister. Pat also took down Wan's bank account details.

That means I can now easily pass some money to Wan while having my butts parked in front of my computer - online banking lah!

But that doesn't mean I no longer intend to visit Wan. Visiting the place sounds adventurous enough, and I do love adventure! I do however have to make sure I go in the proper attire when I visit her - and especially proper walking shoes. And probably also with a small backpack - complete with drinking water and all.

And more importantly, as Pat advised, not to go alone.