KUCHING: The bravery of an 11-year-old boy from a remote community in Lubok Antu has drawn widespread praise after he courageously attempted to rescue a medical volunteer who slipped into a river during a humanitarian mission late last month.
In a letter sighted by Sarawak Tribune, Tiffany Lau, a volunteer physiotherapy officer from Hospital Sri Aman, commended Arvien Archer for his extraordinary courage and compassion during the MERCY Malaysia Medical Camp held in Nanga Sumpa from Nov 28 to 30.
Lau recounted that while she was crossing a river, she slipped and became trapped in the current. In the critical moments that followed, Arvien, despite his young age and small stature, quickly recognised the danger and rushed to her aid.
“Although his strength was not sufficient to pull me to safety on his own, his sincere intention and bravery in trying to help someone in distress deeply touched me,” she said, adding that she was eventually rescued by on-duty Fire and Rescue Department personnel.
Lau said she was greatly impressed by Arvien’s spontaneous actions, courage and strong sense of humanity, noting that such qualities reflected not only his personal character but also the guidance and values instilled by his school and community.
“It is clear that he has been shaped in an environment that prioritises empathy, responsibility and care for others. Students like him are role models to their peers and a source of pride to the school,” she said, expressing her hope that her appreciation would be conveyed to the young boy.
The letter, which was shared by the Nanga Sumpa, Lubok Antu community on social media, prompted an outpouring of praise from Facebook users, with many commending Arvien’s bravery and filling the comment section with messages such as “good job” and “kudos”.
Meanwhile, the MERCY Malaysia Sarawak chapter said the medical camp brought a range of essential services to the remote community, including a mobile clinic for triage, medical consultations and medication dispensing.
Health screenings such as eye and dental checks, Pap smears, as well as health education and awareness sessions were also conducted. These included targeted programmes for adults and children to promote early awareness of hygiene, wellbeing and preventive healthcare.
The medical camp forms part of MERCY Malaysia’s ongoing commitment to ensuring vulnerable and remote communities receive the care, knowledge and support needed to safeguard their health and wellbeing.
