5th August 2015-English based Environmental Education programme in SMKSAS Tanah Rata
This newly started progamme aims to create environmental awareness in schools using English as a medium of instruction. On the 5th of August 2015, the 2nd such activity was held in Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sultan Ahmad Shah and we are pleased with the response. Datin Aseema and Puan Mazlira were assisted by teachers from SMKSAS Miss J.Vejaya Jayaraman who was the main coordinator and Miss P.Chitrah, and also fellow committee member Dr Koh Gim Lan and volunteers Miss Melody Woon, Miss Elucia Yong, Miss Geogina Khong, Miss Anushka, Miss Piyadarshini. Around 100 students participated ranging in age from 13 years to 18 years ( ie Form 1 to Form 6 students).
5th August 2015 –CSI Programme for SMK Sultan Ahmad Shah, Tanah Rata
25 Form 4 Physics students from SMK Sultan Ahmad Shah were the first in Cameron Highlands this year to join in REACH’s CSI program. Instead of an actual crime scene investigation, we conducted a community stream investigation under the watchful eye of REACH’s Vice President, Dr Liau Tai Leong. Accompanied by their teacher Mr Kannan and four REACH volunteers: Elucia, Geogina, Sze Yung and myself, we trekked from SMKSAS all the way to Sg Pauh Forest Reserve by 8.45am.
Upon reaching we startled upon a crimson breasted trogon perching quietly on a tree branch. Miraculously it did not take flight and we managed to take a few decent shots of the trogon before it flew off and we met up with Dr Liau and another two REACH volunteers namely Kai Hang and Sivan. Our first order of the day was an educational briefing session by Dr Liau, who shared a little of the origins of REACH and the CSI program.
Our dear friend Uncle George Alasandrie Theseira (14th April 1937 – 7th August 2015)
9th August 2015-
Uncle George, we are all going to miss you.
You came to Cameron Highlands 16 years ago with your lovely family, drawn by the cool climate and beautiful natural surroundings.
You became dismayed by the on-going destruction of Cameron Highlands and our paths crossed. Together we founded REACH and you have been a pillar of strength since then.
We thank you.
For many years you were our treasurer, patiently doing our accounts, recording meticulously all the ins and outs in the big green ledger of yours, filing all the invoices, vouchers , receipts in this briefcase that grew larger with the passing of time. Never once complaining,bearing with our myriad temperaments , your superb accounting work literally propped our organisation up.
We thank you.
Mossy Forest Tours and Reforestation Continues for our local kids -2015
30th July 2015
25 Standard 5 students from SJK(C) Brinchang were the first in Cameron Highlands this year to join in REACH’s reforestation at our Bio-Diversity Centre program. Accompanied by two teachers and three REACH volunteers: Elucia, Geogina and myself, we squashed ourselves into three 4WD vehicles and hit the road at approximately 9.15am.
Our first stop was the famous Mossy Forest at G. Brinchang. En route even though it was a very bumpy ride, we managed to catch a glimpse of a large niltava and its mate as well as a Fire tufted barbet. The rolling green hills of tea were also a fine sight to behold as we made our way up the mountain.
After an educational briefing session by our guide, Satya, who shared a little of his store of knowledge of the thousands of species of herbs and fungi in Cameron Highlands, we entered the mossy forest to take a look for ourselves the fabled beauty of the forests of our own hometown.
English based Environmental Awareness Programme Commences
28th July 2015-Our first programme to raise environmental awareness in schools in Cameron Highlands started in SJK Tamil,Ringlet The program was conducted in English and around 25 students participated.
We started with showing a video on environmental degradation in Cameron Highlands. After reflecting on what they saw and a short discussion…we did a show and tell on transport toys which we had taken from the kids .. This was followed by a lively group discussion .. After this they did a work sheet based on what they had learnt .. Finally they made a collage based on nature .. On another Manila card they wrote out all the new environment related words they had learnt .. It was a great learning experience from the kids both from the point of improving their language proficiency and expressing their concerns about what is happening in Cameron highlands .
written by Datin Aseema
Editor’s Note: This programme is the brainchild of Datin Aseema Singhal and Puan Mazlira with the aims of creating environmental awareness as well as improving English language proficiency by bringing such programmes to the schools. The above activity was the 1st one held and was conducted by Datin Aseema and assisted by Puan Mazlira.In the coming week, a similar programme will be held at SMKSAS Tanah Rata on the 5th of August 2015 from 3pm to 4.30pm for 75 students. For those interested in volunteering please contact Datin Aseema at aseema54@yahoo.com
Upcoming Community Stream Investigation CSI Activities for Student-updated 20.8.2015
updated 1st September 2015
27th July 2015- We are delighted to have recieved funds from Tunku Imran and Mr Paul Chuah Seong Phaik to carry out environmental activities for our local school kids this year. Many thanks to them.
As with the mossy forest activities it took a while for this year’s CSI programmes to take off. Several trips to the local education office and schools were made but the schools had a heavy schedule and could not participate earlier.
Below are the upcoming CSI programmes confirmed with more schools finalising their dates before they get back to us.
Date School No of persons
5.8.2015 SMKSAS Tanah Rata 25 (completed)
17.9.2015 SJKC Kea Farm 15 (confirmed )
25.9.2015 SJKT Ringlet 30 ( confirmed)
For those who like to volunteer for this programmes please contact Dr Liau Tai Leong email taileongliau@hotmail.com . We would normally need 3 t0 4 volunteers as facilitators for each activity.
For non local participants
23.8.2015 Dimension Data 40 – completed