RCE Greater Gombak - 2020

Jalinan Siswa Bersama Masyarakat Asli Club (JASA) Mentoring Enviro-Camp
Basic Information
Title of project : 
Jalinan Siswa Bersama Masyarakat Asli Club (JASA) Mentoring Enviro-Camp
Submitting RCE: 
RCE Greater Gombak
Contributing organization(s) : 
1.Pusat Intelek Pelajar Orang Asli (PIPOA)
2.Printcious and Printzy
3.International Islamic University
Focal point(s) and affiliation(s)
Name: 
ASSOC. PROF. ZAINAL ABIDIN SANUSI
Organizational Affiliation: 
INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA
Format of project: 
Group project, educational camp, powerpoint
Language of project: 
Malay
Date of submission:
Friday, October 30, 2020
Additional resources: 
Geographical & Education Information
Region: 
Asia-Pacific
Country: 
Malaysia
Location(s): 
Pahang
Address of focal point institution for project: 
Sejahtera Centre for Sustainability and Humanity
Secretariat, RCE Greater Gombak
International Islamic University Malaysia
Jalan Gombak, 53100
Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Ecosystem(s):

Aboriginal Villages
Target Audience:
Socioeconomic and environmental characteristics of the area : 
This project took place in multiple aboriginal villages in Kuala Rompin, Pahang. It is located on the South-East coast of Peninsular Malaysia, in the state of Pahang. For many of the villagers, ecotourism is one of their main sources of income. Utility for the area came from the Earth’s natural resources such as forest resources, water and oil to develop their economy and for their daily basic needs. The aboriginal villages are also equipped with various facilities such as piping for water source, electricity, and groceries stores.
Description of sustainable development challenge(s) in the area the project addresses: 
Like many other aboriginal villages in Malaysia, the villages in Kuala Rompin are lacking in all the basic needs required. Despite having a water source, the water quality used for drinking and everyday usage was never safe nor healthy. The problems worsened as the air quality is now in question. Open burning and peat fire during the dry season have caused major environmental problems for the villagers, and this subsequently resulted in the whole of Pahang having a low air quality. As the air quality continues to deteriorate, it also causes haze which forces many educational institutions to close down.
Contents
Status: 
Completed
Period: 
October, 2019
Rationale: 
The environmental issues faced by the indigenous people of these villagers have caused disruptions to their surroundings and ecosystem which subsequently hindered their livelihood. Issues such as clean water which could at first affect the villagers alone now destroying their ecotourism sector which as stated, is one of their main sources of income. An educational program on environment such as this would tremendously help in their efforts to provide sustainable settlements for themselves.
Through this program, students from Pusat Intelek Orang Asli or PIPOA (Orang Asli Intellect Centre) were able to grasp the importance of a clean environment. It is hoped that the students will get an exposure of the problems caused and think of sustainable solutions. The program was also aimed indirectly at developing the students’ soft skills comprising creative and critical thinking, in which later to be applied in addressing the environmental issues in their villages through group activities.
It is with a belief that JASA Mentoring Enviro Camp would be able to promote “Sustainable Human Settlements Development” as mentioned at the second and third sessions of the Commission on Sustainable Development
Objectives: 
The program was designed as an educational camp on the importance of caring for the environment. Students from PIPOA and the villages were expected to learn about their environment, the problems and issues they are facing, and how to solve each issue through sustainable methods. Indirectly, this program also aimed at:
Exposing PIPOA’s students to the importance of clean environment
Instigating the student’s excitement in learning by engaging with nature
Assisting PIPOA’s students in developing and enhancing their potentials in solving environmental problems
Challenging the students mind in being innovative and creative by engaging with nature and innovation skills
Activities and/or practices employed: 
For the entirety of the program, a module-based activity was employed for the students. The theme of the module was “Save the Environment” and throughout each module, a portion of knowledge on the environment was embedded. These modules are:
Ice Breaking
Energy – Students are required to plan a town model based on at least one renewable energy source
Biology – Introduction of wildlife conservation
Healthy Environment – Introduction to water filtration system
English – Soft skill training
Entrepreneurship – Knowledge on the importance of Recycling and how it will help their economy
These modules include the application of high order thinking skills as the intensity of the activity increases, to ensure the students are able to conceptualise sustainability problems from different perspectives and approaches. In entirety, the activities were structured to empower and encourage students and the local youth to build a sustainable society.
Size of academic audience: 
100 students
Results: 
JASA Mentoring Enviro-Camp achieved its objectives mainly through the modules that were designed for the students to better understand the environment. Through modules such as ‘Energy’ and ‘Healthy Environment’, students were introduced to the importance of having a clean environment. Groups and individual activities encouraged students to be more creative and innovative in their problem solving. Students’ knowledge was best demonstrated during the ‘Beyond Classroom’ module. Apart from the main module, other slots like sports session and discipline session were well received by the students judging from their involvement in the activities. In general, JASA Mentoring Enviro-Camp fulfilled all the objectives.
Lessons learned: 
As the organiser, it is clear that indigenous people appreciate learning more about their environment. Although it’s obvious that the problems caused did not entirely come from their activities, it is still their responsibility to care for it and as organiser it is our duty to help them understand that. What could be the obvious challenge is to ensure that these knowledge are well applied in their daily lives. In order to achieve that, as an organiser, programs are designed to leave an impactful mark for the community for them to have a sustainable lifestyle
Key messages: 
JASA Mentoring Enviro-Camp was designed as an educational camp for environmental and sustainable community knowledge. Its aims include exposing aboriginal students of the importance of caring for the environment and how to solve community issues through sustainable methods. Through this, students will gain practical knowledge for a sustainable future.
Relationship to other RCE activities: 
Nil
Funding: 
University Centre for Community Engagement (UCCE) International Islamic University Malaysia

Pictures:

File Name Caption for picture Photo Credit
Image icon enviro camp 2 - MOHD. HAKIMI BIN MOHD. BADROL AFANDI.JPG (52.84 KB) Group Activity JASA
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
(https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs) and other themes of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
SDG 4 - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all 
Indirect
SDG 6 - Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all 
Indirect
SDG 11 - Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable 
Direct
Theme
Ecotourism 
Indirect
ESD for 2030-Priority Action Areas
Priority Action Area 4 - Mobilizing youth 
state: 
Direct
Priority Action Area 5 - Accelerating sustainable solutions at local level 
state: 
Indirect
Update: 
No