Giving Something Back: Niah

I went to Kampung Padang, Niah for a program organized by Rakan Muda (joined as part of my internal mark for one of the LAN unit) from 23rd to 25th May. I didn't really give much thought about it as I was busy with other things on campus, until the day me and other 4o Curtin students arrived there...

It was 1 1/2 hour bus drive from Oil Town, and as expected it was well far away from the bustling civilization. We were joined by another 30 students from Giat MARA, Kuala Baram and all 70 of us were assigned to our designated foster family.

It was quite a o_O for me, since I have been away from 'the simple life' for at least 2 years already. The serenity and slow paced life in the village was welcomed as it took my mind off all the stress and worries of the hectic university life. Virtually no line (MAXIS anyways) and no internet, I was disconnected from the worries of the world on the spot.

So basically we were there to get closer with the village folks and help them improve the village as much as we can. I was immediately assigned as a group leader and were in charge of replacing the village's signboard (other group were in charge of other work e.g. painting the village hall, cleaning the drain etc).

It was bloody hot and man-handling a disparate group of students was nothing unusual for me. We just pulled the old sign cemented into the ground out, plant the new sign in its place and cement the whole thing down. We were done by 11am (started around 8am), but then we had to return to work as we were not supposed to pull out the old signboard as it was government property (hence considered as vandalism). So we replanted the sign next to the new one, and finished by noon. Fuh.

Then later at night we helped out for a big feast on Sunday morning, and on that night it was me and a few other dudes' first time hands on experience skinning chickens.

On Sunday morning, me, Gerain & Eleena helped teach the other Curtin students the 'Jungle Song' dance a.k.a. tandak hutan (direct translation lol). A quick 20 minute and we were ready, and performed during the closing ceremony feast. After that, it was departure time, and me and my other 'brothers' bid farewell to our foster family.

I was all cool during the farewell, until half way through saying goodbye to the village folks a crying uncle hugged me; then I just went all emotional as well T.T It was a nice experience, and felt great giving something back to the community :)