Project brings students closer to Kenyah folk
TINJAR, Baram: It was an eyeopening experience for students of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers ( IEEE) under Curtin University Malaysia, who took part in a community project at Uma Akeh – a 40- door Kenyah longhouse here.
The youths, led by Joel Dian, spent a week with their ‘new foster families’ at the longhouse, which was the beneficiary of the solar light project – each household was provided with a portable rechargeable solar lamp.
“It was a wonderful and eyeopening experience for all of us, in that we were also exposed to the culture and lifestyle of this Orang Ulu community in Uma Akeh,” said Joel during the closing ceremony of the programme yesterday where he, on behalf of the participants, also thanked all the longhouse folk – including headman Anthony Ngau – for their warm hospitality. “This is the most valuable and
It was a wonderful and eye-opening experience for all of us, in that we were also exposed to the culture and lifestyle of this Orang Ulu community in Uma Akeh.
worthwhile learning experience for us, as students. We will cherish and treasure every moment of our stay here with all of you,” he said, describing the local food as the ‘ best and most delicious that he had ever tasted’.
Interestingly, each of the students was ‘christened’ a Kenyah name by their respective foster families in a ceremony said to be conducted during ‘ pusau’ (‘ The Renaming’) – usually using ancestral family names.
The youths also received traditional bead necklaces from their foster families.
In his address Telang Usan assemblymen Dennis Ngau, who present at closing ceremony, thanked the students for selecting Uma Akeh – among the 88 longhouses and settlements in his constituency – as the beneficiary of the project.
He acknowledged that the majority of the longhouses and settlements in Telang Usan are still struggling and many residents are surviving without the most basic of facilities – namely electricity and water supply.
“Be rest assured that the government is trying its very best to provide all longhouse folk with the basic facilities and amenities. It is impossible and difficult for the government to fully meet these needs due to the geographical and topographical aspects. Nevertheless, the government never stops in finding ways to provide the necessary facilities through alternative means, or with the help from companies
Joel Dian, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers student leader
operating in the area – including non-governmental organisations ( NGOs).”
Dennis said although the contribution by the IEEE students might be regarded as ‘small’ by some, it really meant a lot to the rural community in Uma Akeh.
Additionally, the assemblyman also called upon the younger generation of Orang Ulus, especially the educated, professional and successful lot, to never forget to give back to their community.