EIGHT families from the 'orang asli' (aboriginal) community in Kampung Bukit Jenuk, Dengkil, were thrilled when they were presented with newly built wooden homes. Life will be different for them now that they have a comfortable place to stay, said 'Insaf' (Technical relief society) Malaysia founder and president Ishak Abdul Kadir when met in Kampung Bukit Jenuk, Dengkil, recently.

Previously, their deplorable shacks only had one window or none at all. They did their cooking and also slept within the same area in these shacks. They have started paying more attention to cleanliness and some have even decorated their window with curtains.

Hopefully, life will be better for them after this, Ishak said after overseeing the completion of the eighth and final home built by employees of The Star media group under the groups annual "Do Good Day programme". Do Good Day is part of the The Star media groups Employee Volunteer Programme, which saw eight homes successfully built for the 'orang asli' (aboriginal) community in Kampung Bukit Jenuk.

The programme, which began in May, saw more than 100 employees from The Star and its six subsidiaries, their families and friends sacrificing weekends to help the community. Volunteer Alvin Liew, 51, from The Stars circulation department said although he was an active Rela member, the exposure he received from building a wooden house was a learning experience for him. I would definitely participate in more programmes like this, as it gives me an opportunity to reach out to the underprivileged community. I have accomplished something by making them smile.

I would like to thank The Star media group as such efforts were only possible with the company providing the hardware and Insaf (Technical relief society) guiding us towards building wooden homes for the 'orang asli' (aboriginal) community here, said Liew, who loves participating in outdoor CSR programmes.

He said apart from reaching out to the needy, the programme emphasized team work. This is a different experience altogether, as we get to work with employees from other departments, whom we have not had the chance to meet or work with, Liew said, adding that the group was lucky as the weather was on their side, allowing the group to complete their task smoothly.

Liew said he was confident that he could now build a wooden house with his bare hands. Lee Li Choo, 37, from the IT department echoed Liews views. It is fun and we get a wholesome feeling helping the needy. This is a true knowledge experience for me, as I now know how to build a wooden house.

This is a life skill that everyone should learn, Lee said, adding that although Malaysia did not experience catastrophes like other countries, such life skills would be beneficial to help others in need. Both Liew and Lee expressed their true sense of accomplishment after building the shelter for the community.

Meanwhile, Ishak applauded the volunteer group for completing their project in good time, which was six hours ahead of schedule. The weather was excellent and the team followed all the guidelines and were very systematic. They started work immediately after breakfast and they had their one-hour lunch break, as well as tea break at the site, Ishak said, adding that it was all about team spirit and coordination.

He thanked The Star media group for trusting Insaf (Technical relief society) to complete the project within six months. Society, especially the younger generation, is in need of such exposure. They need to know what team spirit is all about and that when we volunteer ourselves out for a good cause like this, we create a cycle that would definitely go on, provided we instill good values from the very beginning, he added. Ishak said his next challenge would be to get electricity and water supply for the community.

Although, Kampung Bukit Jenuk is located only 4km from Putrajaya, the community does not have electricity and water supply in their area, he said, adding that efforts were currently in the pipeline. In addition to that, Ishak said Insaf (Technical relief society) would also be working on another project to build a kindergarten for the 'orang asli' (aboriginal) community.

The children are left behind when their parents leave for work very early in the morning. By the time they get back home, it is already dark. They do not know the basic cleanliness routine of washing hands before a meal or even washing after a meal. They run around without slippers and even when people provide them with slippers, they do not see the importance of having them, Ishak said, adding that the 'orang asli' (aboriginal) community were in need of proper education for them to progress in future. He said Insaf (Technical relief society) intended to bring in volunteers to educate the 'orang asli' (aboriginal) children.

(Adapted from the STAR 16th September 2014 ).

Questions:

Based on the article above, discuss FIVE (5) other possible alternatives that Star Media volunteers can help in developing the orang asli community in the future.