"MUHIBBAH" BLOOD DONATION CAMPAIGN

Generous donors - Amir & Khairul

G. Gopal, rare blood type (O- type)

10 May, 2009 (Sunday) is Mothers' Day. The whole world is celebrating Mothers' Day with joy. Children brought their mother to celebrate in restaurants, giving presents, go for vacations, etc.

Doctor, nurses from Hospital Raja Pemaisuri Bainun, Ipoh - Blood Bank on duty

However, KRT Taman-Taman Muhibbah, Sungai Siput [Muhibbah Residents Neighbourhood Watch] celebrate Mothers' Day in a different way. We organised a blood donation campaign. This is the sixth 'Muhibbah' Blood Donation Campaign held in Pusat Komuniti Muhibbah, Kampung Muhibbah Fasa 2B, Sungai Siput by KRT Taman-Taman Muhibbah, Sungai Siput.

Iron ladies - Misi Ju, Lina, Mai

From the records, Pusat Komuniti Muhibbah [Muhibbah Community Centre] has being the blood donation venue for the eighth times. Persatuan Kebajikan & Komuniti Muhibbah, Sungai Siput [Muhibbah Community & Welfare Association] was the previous organiser. Later, Persatuan Kebajikan & Komuniti Muhibbah has jointly organised the blood donation campaign with KRT Taman-Taman Muhibbah, Sungai Siput as both organisations served the people in the same area but different objectives.

Volunteer on duty, Azlina Nazri

This campaign received a tremendous response from the public. The volunteer donors have increase to 60 people. No goodies, no gift. Its merely a voluntarily donors. Personally, this my 24th blood donation campaign and the most donors so far. The lowest are 18 donors. I am touch with the response as it shows that my campaigns for the past 12 years has bears fruit. More people are aware of the campaign. Each time more and more young and new donors turns up.

This my 24th time and will continue .....

Furthermore, it is a caring Malaysians campaign as the donors are from various races. A caring Malaysia is for every Malaysian. Community service is from Malaysian to Malaysian irrespective of race, religious believe, political ideology etc.

I pledged to continue organising the blood donation campaign and hope more volunteers will come forward. I have organised the blood donation campaign twice yearly since 1999. This will go on and on ... !

HEALTH SCREENING - KAMPUNG ASAP, JALONG TINGGI

Villagers waiting

The 3 Musketeers discussing on .... What!

I have regular programme with the 'orang asli' in Jalong Tinggi since 2001. At least 4 programmes annually. On 22 March, 2009 (Sunday), a health screening programme was held in Kampung Asap with the Pfizer Care-A-Van project. This is the second project done in Jalong Tinggi. The first project was in 2001 with the cooperation of LIONS Club of Ipoh Bougainvillea City and Pfizer Care-A-Van which was held in Kampung Kenang. This the my 3rd project with Pfizer Care-a-Van. The 1st in Kampung Kenang followed by a project in Rimba Panjang New Village a week after Kampung Kenang.

Villagers were attended

Checking lice

Saidi, the dewormer

The programme started at 10:00 a.m. Upon arrival at about 9:20 a.m.; before the team can do any preparation, the villagers from Kampung Asap, Kampung Landap, Kampung Kelah, Kampung Awal and Kampung Hektar were waiting. About 100 'orang asli' registered for screening. Most of the teenagers feel shy and some elderly have more conficence on the traditional herbs medication. The batins (viallage headman) and villagers were informed that it is a health screening programme. I am glad that Mat Seri bin Pandak, a KSK committee member was there to help us in translating. Other volunteers are Taufik, Khairul, Saidi and Taufik's wife. Few other members promised to help but did not turned up.

Khairul, the blood tester

The villagers waiting to be screen

Vitamins and deworming were given to the kids. BMI, cholesterol, sugar level and blood pressure test was carried out. People with negative result were counselled. Participants were taught on cleanliness and health awareness. As the screening shown that most of the villages have high blood pressure and kids are lack of iodine, an awareness campaign will be organise soon!

The programme ended at about 12:30 pm.

KAMPUNG AWAL

The Balai Sewang in Kampung Awal

5 friends of mine and me when for a camping trip in Kampung Awal, Jalong Tinggi on 7-8 February, 2009. The purpose of this trip is to get to know the ‘orang asli’ more and sight seeing. Kampung Awal is situated at the side of Sungai Korbu. Henry, the village chief (batin) is friendly and young [early 30s].

The camp site

Taufik is eyeing the Batin post!

We arrive at about 8.30 pm. Saidi and Atoi arrived earlier have set the camps. We looks for fire woods upon reaching the camp site. Sahul, Taufik and me when to the ‘balai sewang’ (community hall) to meet with the Batin of Kampung Awal [Henry], Kampung Pisang [Nasiri], Kampung Kenang [Saidin], Kampung Langkor, Kampung Hussin [Adenan] and a few young leaders. It is a fruitful meeting. I received a lot of feedback from them which I would e-mail to the Director of JHEO or higher authority to overcome their problems.

Electricity is the main agenda. Secondly, the schooling problems for the ‘orang asli’ children; follow by uplifting their living standard and conditions. These are the problems raised during the meeting. I will bring their needs to the Sungai Siput District Office, JHEO, federal development department and state government soon. Assistance from international organizations may be require.

I have suggested that they attend fishery training ran by the Fishery Department so that they can earn extra income to improve their economy and living standard. Villages at the river side are suitable to rear fish. There are many ways to rear fish now days. What they need are training and assistance. I will try my best to market for them domestically.

Other economy development plans are planting tapioca which fetch high price currently, planting rubber in the hilly area and palm oil in lower ground. If they can secure the area from wildlife, maybe livestock is a good move.

The children waiting for their toys and clothes

Me and the kids with their toys

With the support from friends, some toys and children clothes were brought to the ‘orang asli’ kids. They are happy with their toys. I intend to bring more toys in my next visit. The parents were told to ensure that their children attend school. Cikgu Saidi explained to the 'orang asli' kids the importance of education and how to study. Taufik advise them to be good and mix around with other races in school. Sahul motivate the adults try their luck in town working in factory. Atoi have fun playing with the children.

Group photo

Cikgu trying his new dress!

Sahul is serious with the kids!

Batin Henry and 2 villagers show us how they net fish in the river. The river is not deep, only waist high; however, the river is stonely. About 30 minutes, about 20 fishes were netted. Batin Henry's wife fried it for us. Fresh fried fish! YUMMY!

The scenery in Kampung Awal is beautiful. Fresh air, greenery surrounding, the sound of water flow and voices of nature made us happy. What a life here!

Fish netting in Sungai Korbu

PPRT - KAMPUNG KELAH

During my visit to Kampung Langkor on 1 February, 2009, I was told by the “Batin” (village headman) of Kampung Kelah that 7 Program Perumahan Rakyat Termiskin (PPRT) houses for Kampung Kelah was not complete. This programme was announced by previous Member of Parliament, Dato’ Seri Samy Vellu. I have checked the other houses which are built at the same time were completed and occupied.

Picture on the incomplete houses was taken and e-mail to the Director of Perak State JHEOA. He has replied that the contractor has been terminated and he has written to the Director General for additional fund to complete the houses.

I have informed the Batin and asked him to wait for the next few months; if no action taken I will remind the State Director and might write to the Director General personally.

DANGER ZONE! JALONG TINGGI..........

Damaged road

Repairing work in progress

I was inform by Batin Nasiri of Kampung Pisang that the road to Kampung Pisang and Kampung Langkor was damaged due to the heavy downpour, flash flood and landslides. It rains everyday. There are about 500 villagers living in the kampungs were greatly affected. They can't go out to work and children can't go to school.

An immediate report was made to Sungai Siput JKR (Public Works Dept), JHEOA (indigenous people dept) and the federal development office. I have visited the area personally. Pictures have been taken and e-mail to the respective department’s head. Their action is prompt. Immediate action was taken e.g. estimating the cost of repairs and identified contractor.

On the 6th day after New Year, works was carried out by the JKR appointed contractor. I have a chance to meet the contractor during my visit. He is a pensioner previously attached to JKR. He knows his job well.

The people living in the other villages have organized ‘gotong royong’ to clear the landslide. The organizer try to get some fund to provide food and drinks for the volunteers. As a NGO, my organization and I do not have fund for this purpose; furthermore, school had just began and Chinese New Year is around the corner.

I have recommended them to seek fund from the respective political leader, current state assemblywomen and Member of Parliament. I was told that both state assemblywomen and Member of Parliament from the current Pakatan Rakyat government did not provide them fund.

I advise them to use the fund that has been allocated by the previous state assemblyman, Dato’ Chang Ko Youn to Persatuan Orang Asli Semenanjung Malaysia, Cawangan Sungai Siput and promise to get some fund in the future.