One of the activities planned for 2011 was to have an event for the Orang Asli. I have actually no idea where, when or how I will do it. But I think when you put your head into it, things will just fall into place. After much delayed, I manage to squeeze this into Dec event. I made contact to one of the Raleigh volunteer who put in me in touch with his friend and then the local contact person. We had about 1 month of planning and discussion prior to the event. As I was very busy with work, Hj Ainie from
Project MADE had willingly organize the logistics for me. This event, could not had happen without her diligence, her volunteers, donors and for this, I am very grateful for her help! Both of us had sleepless night the night before and was still up at 2am SMS-ing each other!
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| List of good bags for 30 families... |
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| The road to the village |
During the planning session, we went on site 2 times, the first to get to know the local contact person and the second time, to check the location, as we were worried that the location might be deep in the jungle. Based on the first visit, we were told that the hall is 'walking distance'. Later we realised that maybe there might be a different definition between native and a city boy. So, to ensure I dont drag the whole bunch of volunteers through the mud (literally), we feel its better to check it out! To our relieve, it was reachable by car and no walking required (lucky for city people like us!).
After loading the stuff in our cars, we proceed to McDonald Gombak and arrive about 930. It was fully pack due to the number of people heading to Genting. Somehow, we manage to get all the FB volunteers and if I am not wrong, I think attendees were 100%!!! :) The first ever!!! We have about total of 11 cars in the group.
As we depart from McDonald to check point 2, a team of volunteers from Raleigh was already there waiting for us. From there, we proceed to our destination. The scenery to the destination is just great, with forest at both side of the road (and some rubbish too!~ hey, we are MALAYSIANS!).
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| Yup.. this is Malaysia... |
Upon arrival, the volunteers help unload the stuff and with so many of them, the stuff were move very fast! And the next activity will be sorting them into the Ikea bags donated by a volunteer. To let you judge the amount of things for this trip, check out the photos! We have an experience volunteer, Zaidi to setup the work area to ensure ease of distribution of good bags.
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| School bags.. and bags..and bags..... |
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| Unloading the goodies... |
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| Tins of biscuits.... |
I was a bit stress to see so many things to do but was put at rest seeing so many volunteers automatically doing what is required. A good 'rest' for me in a busy day. We basically had about 20+ volunteers, aside from 1M1C, with the additional coming from PM. Volunteers were busy registering the recipients, organising the school uniforms, school bags, stationaries... while another batch was busy putting in all the goodies in the bags. Basically, the number of volunteers were great. All those youngsters help out in organising the stuff, moving stuff.. and we have family volunteers which provided their own cookies and sweets to the children.
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| Goodies brought by the volunteers for repackaging.. |
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| Arranging the work parameter |
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| So many things to unpack and repack! |
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| Each bag contains sugar, salt, wheat flour, maize, dried fish, sardines, Milo, condensed milk, jam, biscuits and bread |
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| 30 packs of rice, books, kids toys were part of the give-away. |
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| Toys, used clothes... |
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| Socks for distribution... |
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| 60 loaves of bread! |
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| Sorting out the stationary |
The caterers came in later, with food for 170 ppl...as the local contact gave us 70 people from this village..while the rest are from 'nearby' village. And we begin to start worrying as if they rest of the people will turn up? I can see local contact pax bit stress and was frequently on the phone. It was a stressful for everyone but I think it is beyond his control, while on our end, what is going to happen to the rest of the goodies bag and food? As the goodies bag were all sorted out, we decided to start the makan first. As we eat, and eat, and eat...these 'nearby' ppl were no where insight, and was feeling really bad to have so many people waiting.
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| Caterers getting ready to serve the food.... Thanks Hannah for feast! :) |
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| Lunch time! |
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| Menu consist of rice, fried chicken, vegetables, cakes, banana and drinks |
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| Jom makan! |
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| Having their lunch in one of the home |
While waiting for the rest of the people to arrive, some volunteers gave the kids goodies bag. After finishing lunch, we decided to give the groceries bag to the registered families.
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| Distributing the goody bag to the recipients |
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| School bags were given to every kids! |
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| Goody bags for the kids |
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| Registered recipients lining up |
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| Happy faces! |
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| Chief Registration Officer validating the record! :) Thanks Kate! |
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| Recipient signing the acceptance form once receive the goody bag. |
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| Bit heavy stuff actually.. |
For the additional food, we manage to find the orphanage and called up and told them we have food to donate and the contact person willingly accept it. As the 2nd batch of recipients didnt turn up, we decided to call it a day.
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| One for the Album! |
We proceed to this Muslim orphanage that is before the village.The orphanage is not well-maintained properly and the wooden buildings are just built beside the river and water stream. We thought it was a bit strange to see a Muslim orphanage in a bad condition. Later we met the ustaz as a matter of courtesy, and hurriedly excuse ourselves when his sermons was about to start.......;)
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| Donated a few bags of groceries |
Once the food stuff were given, it was about 2pm and we decided to call it a day. We departed the from the orphanage, and hoping to meet our newly found friends in the next activity. With this, I would like extend my sincere thanks to the following people, who made this activity a success event.
Drum roll....>>>>>
Special thanks to the following people...
- Hj Ainie Project MADE for making this event possible
- Volunteers from Project Made, Zaidi, Ibrahim, Murugan, Kumar
- Rotary Club from Melawati
- 1M1C volunteers - Ben, Cloe, Joey, Lee Ming, Mariaanne, Tony, Yeow Meng, Ong, Gary, Hew, Yee Choeng, Shiela Angie, Saw, Kate & Jia Yin (thorough job at the registration counter!!)
You can read more about this event from
Bernie and
Project Made's blog.
Note :- Have not have the time to sort out the expenses yet. Will post once its done.
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