Upon the advice of the Registrar of Societies ROS, we successfully applied for a RM 10 thousand MyICE grant which we received this April. (MyICE stands for Malaysian Incentive Community Empowerment by ROS which aims to do just that). This programme is for the restoration of the disturbed mossy forests of Gunung Brinchang and is a continuation of our reforestation efforts and environmental conservation in Cameron Highlands.
As with our previous programmes, permission was first sought from the local education department and the local schools then contacted.
The reforestation site is midway up Gunung Brinchang at an elevation of between 1600m to 1800 m above sea level. Participants will be brought up to the site with 4 wheel drive vehicles. Facilitators include Mr Selvarajoo, Mr Kaliyannan, Mr Kumaresan, Mr Vijendran and Mr Ramachandran.Programme usually starts at 8.30 am and ends by 12.30pm.
The MyICE programme began with a very enthusiastic team from SJKT Ringlet headed by Cikgu Anand on the 25th of May 2022. ( SJKT Sekolah Jenis Kebangssan Tamil Ringlet is a cluster school which has won numerous environmental awards). A total of 35 students 4 teachers and 6 volunteers participated and 30 saplings/orchids were planted. Coincidentally there were also a team from RTM a local TV station who came up to film REACH activities that day.
Mr K.Selvarajoo in action.
This was followed by other equally enthusiastic primary schools :-
29th of June 2022- SK Sekolah Kebangsaan Kampung Raja. 40students and 4 teachers took part. 45 saplings/orchids were planted. Encik Supian bin Awang Hamat, headmaster of SK Kg Raja gave a plaque of appreciation to Reach.
Mr Ramachandran assisting a young participant
30th of June 2022- SJKT Tanah Rata -36 students and 6 teachers participated. 45 saplings/orchids were planted. In spite of the heavy mist the programme went on smoothly.
20th July 2022-SJKT Kuala Terla.35 students and 3 teachers took part. 35 saplings/orchids were planted.
21st July 2022- SK Convent Tanah Rata. 33 students and 3 teachers took part. 35 saplings/orchids were planted.
For the next few months more schools will come on board with 4 confirmed. It is hoped that with more funds coming in we will be able to expand this programme to non local schools and colleges.