Teacher empowers Orang Asli kids to make a difference
GOPENG: B. Wahdinah has no tertiary education, but that did not deter her from empowering Orang Asli children and bringing social and economic changes to the community in Kampung Poh here.
Wahdinah, 37, an Orang Asli, said this would not have been possible without the Empowered 2 Teach (E2T) programme mooted by the EcoWorld Foundation with the support of Suara KanakKanak Malaysia Welfare Association (Suka Society) and Malaysia Innovation Agency (AIM).
“I come from a poor family. My parents could not pay for my education. I hold only a Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) certificate, but I wanted to be a teacher. I found out about this programme from a relative, who advised me to sign up.
“I have been teaching in this preschool since 2013. Being a teacher is a noble profession and I am proud to call myself a teacher.
“I want to help my community improve their lives. I want to see more Orang Asli secure better jobs, to show that we can do it. But first, we must equip ourselves with knowledge.”
Wahdinah finds her work invigorating. She has not lost sight of her goal and is unwavering in her resolve to empower the children in her community.
“One of the best things about being a teacher is when my pupils know how to hold a pencil, know how to write. This is the best thing that has happened to me. I cannot describe it,” she said.
Wahdinah teaches 16 Orang Asli children, aged between 4 and 6.
The E2T programme, helmed by Suka Society, has produced 10 preschool Orang Asli teachers, who have set up preschools in Orang Asli villages in Kelantan and Pahang.
Yesterday, the EcoWorld Foundation contributed RM200,000 towards the administration of the programme in 10 remote Orang Asli villages. Present were EcoWorld Foundation chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, AIM chief executive officer Naser Jaafar and Suka Society executive director Anderson Selvasegaram.
“The E2T progamme aims to provide greater access to preschool education for Orang Asli children,” Lee said.
“Since its launch in 2010, the programme has helped indigenous children in remote villages to gain access to preschool education to eradicate illiteracy and prepare them for primary school.
“The inability to write and count has put indigenous children at a severe disadvantage and has long been an obstacle in the pursuit of quality education for the Orang Asli community.
“Through E2T, Orang Asli teachers are given the tools, resources and encouragement to become leaders of education in their communities.”
He said with a budget of RM5 million per year, the foundation’s Students Aid Programme adopted a holistic approach by addressing every aspect of a student’s educational requirement.
“We are confident that the effort to empower teachers will ignite students’ interest in learning, which will enable these indigenous communities to achieve economic growth.”