Nisshaline D/O Mahgaidren

Nisshaline D/O Mahgaidren (AIA160014)

This social engagement project to indigenous people’s village in Sungai Tementong, Pahang is very interesting and unforgettable memory that I had with my whole course mate. As I am a city girl when we plan to go to the indigenous people village I was uncertain of what to expect but really interested. Part taking in gain experience of alsi’s life together with 3rd residental college community members was quiet interesting and very pleased. This is the first time in my life time I travelled sitting in bus for 4 hours, I sat beside my course mate Venesha. We tend to share more things together and I became much closer with her. As we reach Sungai Tementong, we had to walk about 1 km, its a very hot and sunny day. We had to carry all our things and walk, as we reach the place, everyone is so tired. I have been paying attention to many circumstances going on with the indigenous people, their land and culture as long as I walk thru the village. As even I stepped into the village it opened my eyes to a whole new way of life, I saw most of all the houses are made of bamboo and wood and the have washroom behind of their house which doesn’t attached with their house. This something new to me, I was wondering how they can stay like that. Besides that, when we have assembly together with them, I noticed their children are really bonded so closely to each other with the neighbours which we couldn’t see one nowadays in city life. The children were so excited when they see us coming, I was really amazed when the children run all the to come and help us to carry things. The kids there were so active with outdoor activities. As we had sports session all the villages from kids to adults came up to join us without hesitation. I really find it fun to play games with them. Furthermore, I am very happy to know all the children are going to normal school and gaining education as other children. A proud moment is when a saw a 12 years old girl talk very fluent english. It’s very surprising for me to see a indigenous girl talking in english language, I can clearly see a bright future of them. Then, we had performance night where all of us perform and the indigenous people do perform their dance and I join them too. It helped me understand their culture so well and how in depth and the real they believes are. Other than that, they are very good hearted people because the night was so heavy rain, my friend and I wanted to go back to the place we were staying, a boy from the village give us his umbrella and he walked in the rain, nothing can be heart touching than this situation. Moreover, I feel so pity towards them when I entered my adopted family house, they have nothing in their house not even a fan. They share all their life story with me which make me cry. I had great time with the people there. Last but not least, as I get to know about indigenous people, I do get to know deeper about my course mates as well. Even thought we all stay in a small uncomfortable room, we all try to adjust and enjoy the moment without complaining as we saw them sleeping withou a bed. I learn a lot of life lesson from this project. This project is awesome project that will stick in my memory till my last breath and hope to do more programs like this. Thank you.