Category Archives: Activities
Empowering Communities through Sustainable Education
A Report on Engaging Orang Asli, Government Schools, and Special Needs Children in Cameron
Highlands
by Anaya Dhanoa
“As the leader of a sustainability project with REACH in Cameron Highlands, I am Anaya, a 16-year-old student from Garden International School, who lives in Kuala Lumpur. This report encapsulates our collaborative efforts with the diverse communities of Cameron Highlands to promote eco-consciousness and environmentally-friendly practices. Collaborating with Orang Asli children, mothers, government school students, and special needs children, the program focused on practical eco-friendly activities like making soap from used cooking oil, composting organic kitchen waste, and creating reusable bags. Workshops were conducted in local villages and schools. These efforts empowered women with new skills and encouraged creativity among participants while emphasising the importance of
reducing plastic usage. The engagement with government school children integrated sustainable practices into their curriculum, offering practical sessions on soap-making from scratch and
organic waste management. This hands-on approach led to increased awareness and
a deeper understanding of environmental issues among the participants, fostering a
sense of community cohesion and environmental stewardship.
The project’s success showcased heightened awareness and comprehension of
sustainable practices, emphasising the significance of continued support for such
initiatives. REACH, a proactive organisation dedicated to community development and
sustainability, played a crucial role in coordinating partnerships and workshops. Their
expertise in community engagement facilitated impactful collaborations, fueling
collective efforts towards environmental education and social unity in Cameron
Highlands.”
CIMB Foundation awards grant to REACH for reforestation
We are pleased to inform that CIMB Foundation has awarded a grant of RM 83000 to Reach in September 2023. This would be the 3rd time that CIMB has supported our efforts since Reach was founded. CIMB first programme with us was ” ReAct- Trash is Cash” project involving Recycling activities with local schools. Subsequently in 2015 , CIMB awarded a RM 50,000 grant for ” Save the cloud forest” reforestation project. This latest grant is also for similar activities and we are pleased that we have ” Hit the ground running”.4 wheel vehicles will transport students and teachers from pick up points in town to the biodiversity site in Gunung Brinchang .For students from indigenous schools , buses will be used to transport them from the interior to the pick up areas where 4 wheel vehicles would take over. Upon arrival at the base of the biod site, they would walk up some 200m to the centre up a steep road.There would be a short briefing and a demo on how to plant the saplings. Each participant would be given 1 sapling to plant . After the tree planting there will be a short nature walk at the grounds of the biodiversity centre. The program usually starts at 8.30am and conclude by 12noon. Light refreshments are provided. Trees planted include geruk, rhododendrons, minyak beruk, kelat, garcinia, eugenia,ara,Reach committee would like to thank CIMB Foundation for lending us a helping hand.
Reforestation activities carried out to date:
27th Sept 23 -SMK Sultan Ahmad Shah. 44 students and 6 teachers from Form 6 participated. 50 saplings were planted.
4th Oct 23- SJKC Tanah Rata. 30 students and 2 teachers took part. 32 saplings were planted
Reforestation Resumes- University Kuala Lumpur 11th August 2023
Our reforestation programme resumed on the 11th of August 2023 with a small group of postgraduate students and their families from University Kuala Lumpur. This programme which is popular with students, had been put on hold earlier this year due to a lack of funding. The UniKL students planted 20 trees cum orchids and later took a nature walk around the biodiversity site. Mr Selvarajoo facilitated the event and briefed the participants on our environmental conservation efforts in Cameron Highlands.
Eco Bag painting at SJKT Boh 2
15th September 2023-Mr Dilip, our president, organised an Eco Bag Painting session at SJKT Boh 2 today to celebrate Merdeka Day. He was assisted by Headmistress Mdm Kanagam and volunteers Mdm Saraswathi , Dinesh and Kiroosha. The students from Boh 2 primary school are mainly indigenous children whose parents are working in the tea plantation and in neighboring farms. 30 students participated and it was fun to watch them at their creative best.
Mr DIY Sdn Bhd CSR programme with REACH at Kampung Kuala Boh
On the 9th of September 2023 , REACH conducted a 3R programme with Mr DIY Sdn Bhd at Kampung Kuala Boh with the topic ” Keeping Our Environment Clean ” ( Kampung Kuala Boh is a picturesque indigenous village with a population of around 600 from the Semai ethnic group. It borders Boh Tea Plantation and houses are located on gentle slopes. This village stands out as one of the cleanest village in Cameron Highlands )Around 130 families participated in the programme.
It began with a welcome speech by a very active and forward looking Tok Batin Masenan followed by a talk on 3R given by our Assistant Secretary Mdm Jay Gomathi and volunteer Mdm Saraswathi .
Mr DIY’s team, headed by Mdm Audra then distributed household cleaning materials to the villagers.
Other volunteers from REACH included Dinesh, Abinassri and Riethisha. The committee would like to thank everyone for taking the time and effort in making this programme a success.
Upcycle; Walk With Style with Mr DIY and Soroptimist International Damansara Club (SID)
On the 3rd of May 2023 , Mr DIY Sdn Bhd and Soroptimist International Damansara Club SID, together with Reach, held a 3R programme ( Walk With Style) at SK Tanah Rata. The aim of this programme was to give an opportunity for students from the B40 category and indigenous students, to learn more about recycling and to nurture their artistic talents.
After introductory talks and program briefing by representatives of Mr DIY Sdn Bhd, students got down to giving donated school shoes a new look. The shoes, aprons and drawing materials were donated by Mr DIY. This program brought out the creativity in the youngsters and it was difficult to decide which pair of painted shoes was the best.
This was followed by a quiz on recycling by representatives of SID and prizes were then given to the winners. The children enjoyed themselves and for the organisers it was a rewarding experience. Reach would like to thank everyone for their participation.
