BHASG Stepping Stone Project

Temburong Voluntary Work
Sekolah Rendah Sultan Hassan, Bangar
25th-27th March 2008

BACKGROUND

Since the group’s establishment in January, we took an immediate and daring step to conduct our first project on the 25^th-27^th March during the school holidays at Temburong. It was initially a relief aid work during the flash flood disaster but sadly to say we were behind others. After 4 weeks of amusing recovery the town is back to normal. We could only help by donating $450 through which was collected by a few active committees back then.

Yet we felt that it wasn’t enough. We persist to help the community further by contributing our humanitarian service.

The group came up with the idea of helping the children especially from Sekolah Rendah Bokok, a school that was severely affected by the flood. Students and teachers were transferred to different schools through out the area away from their hearts used to be. One of them is Sekolah Rendah Sultan Hassan, Bangar where 136 Bokok students and several teachers were transferred to.

22 people including the committees and registered volunteers joined the project event. They consist of active youths ranging from students, school leavers and members of other clubs such as Kelab BARA. Project funding was collected solely by the group. Fund donation was also made by friends and family. We were also fortunate to be sponsored by SR Sultan Hassan staffs and teachers in terms of meals and project expenses.

From the collected fund we spent paints, tools, plants and flowers for the 3 days project. With that we spread our love and care to the children through our creativity. Our motive is to bring smiles and happiness upon the faces of these victims and to lessen emotional impacts they have suffered from the loss of their previous school and friends.

FIRST DAY

On the 25^th of March, 21 volunteers arrived at Tambang Penambang, Bandar to leave Brunei for Temburong by 7.15 AM. The 45 minutes boat ride gave several first timers a great yet bumpy cultural experience.

Approximately at 8.10 AM, the group was transported via bus (sponsored by Jabatan Daerah Temburong) from Bangar deck to Pusat Belia dan Sukan (Youth and Sports center) just nearby. We were greeted by two officers and eventually briefed about safety and cleanliness for our 3 days and 2 nights stay at the hostel there. After unloading our belongings and settling in respective rooms for awhile we then moved on to Sekolah Rendah Sultan Hassan, Bangar by foot. The walk took us more and less than 5 minutes.

The group was greeted by Cg. Azim and Guru Besar Cg. Yusnani. We were also briefed with a welcome and thank you note.

OUR THREE DAYS IN TEMBURONG

For this 3 day project, we divided 22 people into 4 groups to be assorted to these tasks: gardening, landscaping and painting. Cg. Azim and Cg. Fazli who came as supervisors also helped us a lot during our stay.

At the school every one of us automatically carried our respective duties to fulfill this mission. On that very day assigned groups have brainstormed creative ideas together along with the teachers. This includes:

Rejuvenating the Garden with Colours and Plants

Renewing the Badminton Court

Renovating the Map of Brunei

Painting Alphabets, Numbers and Games

Memorial Foundation

MORE PICTURES HERE

BHASG Temburong Voluntary Work

Every 11.30 AM the school provided lunch for the volunteers and teachers involved. By 12.30 PM onwards we hurried back to work. We usually stopped working by 5 PM and prayer breaks are excuse for the Muslims. After packing up the materials we finally left for the hostel to get showered and did prayers together. Then we had dinner made by the refreshment committee which was followed up with night activities. By 10 PM everyone goes to sleep. Everyday we woke up at 5 AM to catch up the Subuh prayer. Breakfast was sometime made or bought from the Tamu nearby. We then walked to the school by 7.30-8.00 AM which was one way we could exercise early in the morning.

Bear in mind that social service is not all about working. At the same time we played around to break the 'tension' occasionally, be that chasing each other with wet paint brush, giving joke riddles or singing together out loud. We were able to pull out our childish part in ourselves. It was unfortunate that the children weren't able to join the project though. It could have been more hectic in a merrier way.

FINAL DAY

After lunch the teachers held a certificate award ceremony for every volunteer as a token of appreciation. Cg. Azim acted as the school representative during the ceremony.


On the final day everyone rushed and worked harder get this project completed before 3.30 PM. With amazing efforts and commitment we are proudly to say that 24 people can pull off 3 days of laborious work under the hot sun and long hours. Not to say that we didn't take any breaks at all but our hearts were so committed to complete and dedicate this service to the school and its people.

After packing our belongings and cleaning up the mess we finally left for Brunei by 4.30 PM.

VOLUNTEERS' REFLECTION

It is an investment for me to be more responsible to the society and we can get a rewarding contentment by seeing other people lives happily. The purpose of this project is to bring cheers and smile to the children and lighten up their lives. Giving helping hands to others will give you the best profit of all: Satisfaction!

Agee

What I gained from this project is a great satisfaction. It makes me always remember that there are people out there that need our attention. This will be a good sample for the school as children tend to follow what adults do - what we do that is social responsibility. Who knows that the children can also be mentors for others in the future? And to people out there, talk (complain) less and do more action and join us. It will be a very nice and useful experience for us and our future.

Lindya

I believe that the best way to predict a better future is to create one like making the Temburong project a realization. People who spend time making excuses are those who lack in discipline. Anything in life can be achieved when we do it with passion, excitement, determination, optimism and enthusiasm. Joining voluntary work teaches me how to accomplish a given task with datelines through time management and team work - exchanging ideas and communication. It also creates a sense of responsibility to the society. We are able to give our helping hands to the unfortunates as one reliable mobile unit. We built friendship and I had fun participating.

Syafi

It was my first time experiencing such event. I really had fun with others to accomplish this mission - to make the children smile. Youths should join any voluntary work for their and society's benefit rather than wasting time at commercial centers during school breaks. It's better to do something (for those in need) rather than nothing. It's for a good cause anyway. I have gained a worthy experience and beautiful memories that I created together with my friends.

Fillah

I mostly had fun despite working under the hot sun. I was able to gain a new experience and friends from joining this event. With the interactive and colourful school environment it can attract the children to come to school and study in a better way. I suggest that people should join voluntary works because its fun and it add more experience in our lives.

Zai

Projek sukarela di Daerah Temburong adalah projek yang sangat bagus di mana ianya berkaitan dengan murid-murid sekolah rendah. Kami menggunakan kreativiti untuk membuat pelbagai lukisan yang berwarna-warni pada lantai dan halaman sekolah mereka . Ini dapat memberi kesan yang mendalam kepada pelajar pada hari pertama sekolah apabila mereka melihat perubahan yang ada. Mengikuti kerja sukarela di daerah temburong pada bulan lalu adalah sangat mencabar kerana ia adalah projek pertama yang dilakukan oleh kelab ini. Dengan persediaan yang bersungguh-sungguh dan teliti, projek ini berjalan dengan lancar bertujuan untuk memberi keceriaan kepada murid-murid sekolah tersebut.

Khairul

I think our project in Temburong was a good way to promote the group and our mission of giving support to the people especially to the students at Sekolah Rendah Sultan Hassan. What we did will not only beautify the school but some of the paintings can be used as a method of studying such as the alphabets and numbers on the floors. This project brings a lot of benefit to me like useful experience, make new friends and most importantly good deeds 'pahala'.

Ziyah

It still amazes me that a few people managed to make a big success in so little time. Despite the over-time 'tanning days' we also gained an ultimate reward of satisfaction with smiles on our faces. I hope the teachers and students there are happy with what we gave to them. Our gifts portrays our sincere and generous hearts to those who are in need. The next project will be bigger than this and I really hope more big hearted youths are willing to help the less fortunate in Brunei. Let's make a difference!

Dibah

THANK YOUS

Brunei Humanitarian Affairs Support Group (Kelab Sukarelewan Brunei). On behalf of the group, I applaud to those devoted and enthusiastic hard workers especially to the gardening and landscaping committee. And thank you to the rest for your creative and colorful artworks

Kind-hearted Volunteers who were willing to help others with arms wide open

Generous Donators who weren't able to come to this project

Sekolah Rendah Sultan Hassan, Bangar. Especially to Cg. Yusnani, Cg. Azim, Cg. Fazli and babu-babu di dapur. We thank you so much for your hospitality

Kelab BARA. TY to Sulaiman a.k.a ngangah and family despite you guys came on the 2nd day. We appreciate your support and contribution

Jabatan Daerah Temburong

Pusat Belia dan Sukan, Temburong

Borneo Bulletin

Brunei Times

Radio Television Brunei

Kristal FM

Nasional FM

Bahapa Kitani Blogspot

Ranoadidas

Anak Brunei

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Every action in our lives touches on some chord that will vibrate in eternity

Edwin Hubbel Chapin