The Adventure of Chea Avelino

The Adventure of



The Adventure of

Authors:

Winson Eng
Aqilah Ismail
Maechea Avelino

Illustrators:

Sharon D. Pasupathy
Shamien Basit



It was supposed to be a year of new chances and
opportunities, unlike a chapter of Lemony Snickets and a Series of
Unfortunate Events! If it was a computer, this year would
appear as Error 404.This was the chaotic year of 2020, the

year of a global pandemic known as Corona Virus or Covid-19.



In the midst of this unseen chaos, a teacher, Chea Avelino
from Sabah was stranded. She was thousands of kilometres away
from her hometown. As she was counting the minutes to return

home, the Corona virus was getting aggressive and unstoppable.
Everyone was required to stay put wherever they were.



“Stay at home!”

“Stay safe!”

This tagline spread like a wildfire! Chea could see and hear
them everywhere. It was in the news, in her social media, even
in her streets! Travelling was banned. Schools were closed. Studies
were conducted online. Everyone was working from home. Shops
had curfews. Malls were empty. The situation was very severe
and frightening!



It was a lockdown and Chea stayed indoors. Adhering to the
law, she postponed her plan to return to Sabah. She felt dreadful
as she really missed her family. She used to be productive all the

time in school.
Teaching online was a new experience but she had more time

on her own. She felt tired of this loneliness and staying home

alone. Doing nothing was not her cup of tea.



Out of the blue, she had an idea. She googled for volunteer
missions and emailed several of the organisations to offer her
service. One fortunate day, she received a reply that changed her
life.

‘Dear Miss Chea, thank you for volunteering. We
are looking forward to have you as one of our

volunteers.’

Chea jumped in surprise after reading the email. She was
excited to start serving the front-liners and other people
affected by Covid-19 pandemic.



However, she had her doubts. She was inexperienced and alone.
She trembled in fear thinking of how she could do things wrongly.
After a while, she took a deep breath and reminded herself,

“You can do this! Believe in yourself!’ ‘ Have faith!
These people need you.”

Shortly after, she received a schedule. There were a few
tasks to be fulfilled as a volunteer.



On the first day, Chea was introduced to her team
members. She made new friends along the way. She was
overwhelmed yet she was not a quitter. She was tasked to

work as the delivery girl. She get the job done. She distributed
sustenance such as apples, food and bottled water to the front-
liners such as doctors, policemen and soldiers. Along the way, she

had to lift heavy boxes on her own.



There were a few times where she tripped but she get
up stronger each time.

“I may be small, but I have a will
made from iron.”

That was her motto. Chea believed that she was a
superwoman. Tired and bruised as she was, she went home
with a wide smile each day.



Her next mission was with the Response Covid-19

volunteering team. This mission opened doors for her towards
new experiences. As previously, she received specific tasks.
However, this time around, her tasks were more challenging.

Firstly, she needed to organise medical supplies such as isolation
gowns, face masks, hand gloves and sanitisers. Next, she worked
with a team to pack the items into boxes. Then, she delivered

them to the hospitals and front-liners all over the city.



She knew it was her calling to help those in need. Even
though she was sore from head to toe , she did not give up.

“ I may be tired and bruised,
but I enjoy my work.”

She said to herself before falling asleep every night.



One day, as she was putting up her feet after a long day of
volunteering, Chea received a good news. A travelling permit
was available for three days for people who wanted to return

home. “This means I can return to Sabah!” she exclaimed,
happily. She quickly booked her tickets home and packed her bags.
As she was travelling, her heart felt heavy. She was happy to
meet her family but deep down, she was sad to discontinue her
noble service as a volunteer.

Dear Readers,

Being a volunteer has offered me multiple learning chances. I met a lot of
people in various situations that inspired me to become a better person.

I witnessed the hard work of those front-liners who became the nation’s
unsung heroes overnight. Unknowingly, this adventure taught me to put others
before myself. I am grateful to embark on this unplanned adventure.

Much love,

Chea Avelino

Epilogue

an occurrence in which a disease spreads very quickly

pandemic and affects a large number of people or throughout the
world

an emergency measure or condition in which people are

lockdown temporarily prevented from entering or leaving a
restricted area or building during a threat of danger

banned something may not be permitted Glossary
conducted to take part in an operation
adhering to stick by or to give support
postponed to put off to a later time
fruitful abundantly productive

aboard into a group or organisation

looking to expect or anticipate

forward

doubts a feeling that one does not know the truth

Glossary

fulfilled to achieve something
schedule to put something on a list

faith belief and trust
sustenance something that maintains or stimulates the intellect
enforcer a taskmaster or disciplinarian

tripped to catch the foot against something so as to stumble
bruised an injury without a break in the overlying skin

a set of personal protective equipment to provide
isolation gown a barrier between patient and professional

discontinue to bring an operation to an immediate end
noble great or possessing outstanding qualities

Nur Maechea

Avelino

Nur Maechea is a 28 year old teacher
currently teaching in Johor. She was born in
1992. She’s the second child out of 6 siblings.
She was brought up to be considerate and
helpful since young. She has been a volunteer
since her bachelor’s degree days in Teachers’
Training College. She joined MERCY Malaysia
(NGO) on the recommendation of one of
her friends during the Movement Control

Order in 2020.