Category Archives: English based Environmental Awareness Programmes
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.”
Program 3R (Reuse, Reduce, Recycle) diteruskan
oleh Saraswathi
1.CHERISH Home
13 Jun 2023, 10.00-12.00 tengahhari
4 orang Kanak Kanak Istemewa dan 2 Cikgu ( Cikgu Jayanthi dan Cikgu Indira )
Aktiviti 3R yang diadakan bersama anak CHERISH ( Cameron Highlands Educational ,Rehabilitational Informative Special Home) kali ini ialah lakaran lukisan dengan tanah liat dan seni kolaj. Kanak-kanak dibantu oleh cikgu mereka. Kami memberikan mereka lakaran yang mudah dan ringkas. Setiap lakaran mereka amat diterujai kerana ia merupakan pengalaman baru bagi mereka.
2. SK MENSON
15th Jun 2023, 10.30pagi -12.30petang
Tahun 4,5 and 6,. Bilangan murid 113.
Buat pertama kali tahun ini kami dari kumpulan REACH mengadakan aktiviti bersama SK Menson. Sekolah ini merupakan sekolah dari kalangan murid-murid orang asli dari Kawasan Kg. Kuala Boh dan Pos Menson. Keselurah murid terdiri daripada 300 orang. Kami hanya melibatkan peserta dari tahun 4 hingga 6. Walaupun penat selepas latihan merentas desa, mereka terus ke dewan untuk aktiviti 3R kami. Program ini dikendalikan oleh Datin Aseema ,sukarelawan kami Cikgu Sevaranee, Abinashree , Praveen Varma dan saya bersama dengan cikgu-cikgu SK Menson.
Seperti biasa kami mulakan aktiviti dengan taklimat ringkas tentang 3R diikuti dengan aktiviti seni. Kelas Tahun 5 dan 6 digabungkan dan dipecahkan mengikut Kumpulan. Setiap kumpulan 4 orang. Kami memberikan contoh-contoh poster untuk mereka melakar dan diberikan satu slogan cintai alam sekitar. Manakala untuk tahun 4 saya menyediakan kertas aktiviti untuk kesenian kolaj. Setiap pemenang kami memberikan hadiah berupa bekas makanan minuman dan beg Eco-friendly supaya lebih mendorong mereka agar tidak menggunakan plastic.
Kempen Kesedaran 3R ( Reuse,Reduce and Recycle) di Sekolah
oleh Saraswathi
Kepentingan Amalan 3R terhadap masyarakat amat penting, lebih-lebih lagi di kalangan pelajar sekolah. Begitulah setiap tahun REACH berusaha meningkatkan kesedaran 3R dikalangan pelajar-pelajar sekolah. Seisi permulaan sekolah bagi tahun 2023/2024 amat mengalu-alukan REACH untuk mengadakan aktiviti bersama mereka.
Kami sekumpulan sukarelawan bagi aktiviti 3R, iaitu En. Rajoo, Datin Aseema, Kak Haslina dan saya Saras berusaha untuk mengendalikan aktiviti 3R bersama sekolah. Di setiap sekolah yang terlibat kami memberi ceramah ringkas tentang 3R dan amalan harian yang harus kita buat saperti mengasingkan dan mengurangkan sampah.
Untuk lebih berkesan dan mendorongkan pelajar, kami selalunya mengadakan aktiviti-aktiviti yang bersemangat dan menterujakan kanak-kanak. Setiap perserta yang menghasilkan kraft yang kreatif dan cantik diberikan hadiah oleh pihak REACH.
Sekolah yang terlibat dari bulan Mac 2023 hingga Mei 2023.
1. SJKT Ringlet
21/3/2023
Tahun 1 hingga tahun 6.
50 murid dan dibantu oleh guru-guru sekolah
Program dimulakan dengan aktiviti-aktiviti yang dicadangkan. Tahun 4 hingga 6, dibahagi mengikut kumpulan, 4 hingga 6 orang murid pada setiap kumpulan. Mereka membina kraftangan dengan bahan buangan, manakala tahun 1 hingga 3 melakar poster secara individu dengan kreatif sendiri dimana tanah liat digunakan sebagai gantian warna. En. Anand, guru sekolah SJKT Ringlet memperkenalkan teknik mewarna dengan bahan semulajadi. Ini dapat mengurangkan penggunaan warna yang mengandungi bahan kimia.
Environmental Education 3R in Kampung Sg Ubi, Cameron Highlands
One 3 R environmental education program was conducted in the community ie Kampung Sg Ubi in 2022 ( 29th October 2022). Organised by Datin Aseema and friends, around 60 Orang Asli children participated. Kampung Sg Ubi is a picturesque village on the hillslopes bordering Bharat Tea Estate and is located about 5 km from Tanah Rata town at an altitude of 1250 metres above sea level. It is home to around 100 households from the indigenous Semai tribe. It was in the news in 2022 because of tiger sightings and also the unfortunate demise of a 62 yr old villager washed away by flash floods at Sungai Ubi.
The program included craft activity on beautifying simple household items using acrylic paints and crystal sticks etc. 2 young volunteers from Kuala Lumpur ,Anaya and Ananya, together with Cikgu Maheswary and other Reach members assisted. The response was overwhelming and the kids had a wonderful time.
Environmental education in schools 2022
Besides conducting environmental programmes as field events , for the year 2022, Reach conducted 5 environmental education programmes in schools too. These programmes consisted of talks on environmental protection (with emphasis on protecting the rivers and forests) and 3R (reduce, reuse and recycle) followed by Art and Craft creative work from recyclable materials. Prizes and souvenirs would be given to encourage the school children. There would be Q and A sessions too.
Our school team would usually be headed by Mr Selvarajoo or occasionally Mdm Jay Gomathi and would be assisted by fellow Reach members Datin Aseema, Puan Hazlina, Miss Saraswathi or Intern from UPM En Syakir. Occasionally our president Mr Dilip and volunteer Mr Kavvin would join in.
Listed below are the programmes done.
Date School No of Pax Teacher in charge Reach Chief facilitator
24th August 22 SJKT Ringlet 25 Cikgu Anand Mr Selvarajoo (speaker)
21st and 28th Sept22 SK Convent 150 Cikgu Supiah Mdm Jay Gomathi (speaker)
5th October 22 SMSAS 85 Cikgu Mangaikalarasi Mr Selvarajoo (speaker)
11th October 22 SJKT Tanah Rata 20 Cikgu Nagalesh Mr Selvarajoo (speaker)
30th November 22 SK Brinchang 56 Encik Syakir (speaker)
Reach would like to thank the schools for their participation and also our Reach team for their dedication and hard work. These programmes would not be possible without them.
Grant from the Edge Foundation for Environmental Education at the Mossy Forests of Cameron Highlands
by Cheam May Choo
We are pleased to inform that we recently received a grant from the Edge Foundation for environmental education at our mossy forests. Besides educating students on the biodiversity and importance of our highland forests, this time around we would include lessons on climate change.
The Edge Education Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Edge Media Group. The foundation’s mission is to foster, develop and promote education of all kinds. Through the Edge KL Rat Race (which is held annually since 2000) funds are raised from corporate Malaysia and given to the various registered charities and NGOs. This year the event was held at Padang Merbok, KL on the 31st of July 2018.
Simple weather measuring instruments will be installed at our mini weather station in Gunung Brinchang. As with our earlier programmes,field trips would consist of a visit to untouched mossy forests followed by a visit to our Biodiversity Centre. where forests are being rehabilitated. Students would participate in tree planting and later brief on climate change, forest conservation and how all these are interrelated.
REACH would like to thank the Edge Education Foundation for supporting our conservation efforts.