8th March Meeting Report

Days after the group have been established the nation’s gem suffered a disaster caused by 14 hours of continuous heavy rain. Thus result a flash flood that damaged houses, schools and the environment. Though our relief aid is way overdue this project will be a stepping stone for us to present our mission and purpose to the community.

On this 23^rd of March 2008, the Brunei Humanitarian Affairs committees and volunteers will journey to Bangar, Temburong to commence the following programs.

a) Helping the affected schools in Temburong

• Volunteers will help remove furniture and valuables from Sekolah Bokok (as the school will be demolished soon).
• Building a landscape at Sultan Rendah Sultan Hassan and if possible, Sekolah Rendah Puni and Sekolah Persediaan Arab.

Our main aim is to bring cheer to the children, especially to those who have been badly affected by the flood and also, those who have been separated from their old friends.

To do this, we are planning on:

• holding interactive games with the children (probably providing winners with gifts if possible)
• help redecorate their classrooms, especially kindergarten classrooms, the library or if there are any reading rooms (by paintings etc)
• donating books for their library
• help in landscaping and as well setting up a 'pondok' for them to sit and play in

Volunteers will be divided fairly between Sekolah Rendah Sultan Hassan and Sekolah Rendah Puni as former Bokok students are separated into these two schools. While Sekolah Rendah Bokok will be done as a whole.

b) Following activities will proceed if our budget permits. This include

• Rebuilding Projek Kampong Belais - pondok memancing (fishing area). This spot of attraction is quite a loss for the villagers as it was hit for tourists visiting Temburong and even the locals living nearby. Our job therefore is to help reconstruct, remodel and repaint the area. Yet, for this we require a big sum of money to buy the materials such as plank woods, painting materials, roofs etc
• educate and give ideas to the locals on how to start a business especially for the victims who have faced financial loss
• helping victims who are still in need

We might have to stay either for 2 days 1 night or 3 days 2 nights, depending on the amount of work that we have to do. Committees will have to contribute $20 while public volunteers $10. These fund will go to our voluntary aid expenses.

Registration for public volunteers is still welcome by the 23rd. For further info and inquiries please contact us.

*There will be subject to change