POLAR GIRL

Date of Experience	17th September 2010
Venue Experience	Mitsubishi Central Lecture Theatre, UBD
Purpose of Experience	To know about Polar girl experience and the environment in the South Pole.
What was the highlight of the experience? It is about the adventure of Dk Najibah Eradah PAM Al-Sufri with her team in the South Pole. She was the first woman and Bruneian people who went to Antarctica. She came back home safely on 30th January 2010 and made history for Brunei. She shared her experience and gives motivational to inspire youth in Brunei.
What aspect of the experience caused you the most anxiety? Before they start their mission, they have to pass all the tests given which including Physical. The preparation is important which they have to bring such as platypus, gorilla mask, spork, sewing kit, goggles, buff, windproof gloves, first aid, poo bags and etc. The journey was about 910km and takes 38 days to finish. There was no ozone and no animal live in the South Pole. The surrounding was very cold and very slippery, so they have to walk slowly. As there was direct sunlight without clouds above them, they have to use mask to cover their face and prevent them from sun burn. The only difficult time in their journey is they have to face the great storm. From her view, the storm is not because of the global warming but because of the hill and slope (dunes). The wind blow was so strong until their camp broke down. They come out and together help to built back the broken camp. Finally they reach the Geographic South Pole at 11.09pm on the 29th December 2010. Surprisingly there were no people get injure and they come back home safely.
Was there any aspect of the experience that surprised you? 1)    They didn’t left anything behind which can pollute the environment. Although their own waste, they use Poo bags to store it. 2)   Even she is in hard time, she still manages to get ‘Wudhu’. She does the prayer in the South Pole with the help of a device. 3)   There were no ozone and no animal at the South Pole. From the slide of polar girl we can see that the surrounding was clear. There were no habitant can live in such cold weather and the only we can see that the white snow.
What were the three most important things you learnt from the experience? Always work hard and get ready in whatever condition or situation (be proactive). Teamwork is very important. You will never feel alone when you in a group and have to help each other. They divided their work so that make it easier and faster. Never exist “give up” in mind and always think positive.
Which aspects would you include in your future behaviour based on your learning from this experience? This show that female can do what male can do. There no excuses for Muslim people to leave their prayer even in the expedition. We have to appreciate the nature and never pollute it even a single waste or rubbish. So there will no global warming and climate change happen.