Perak Companies Are Adopting Orang Asli Villages And Helping Them Improve Their Economy
At least 20 Orang Asli villages have been adopted through the programme.
By Jeremy Ng — 23 Aug 2019, 04:58 PM
In April 2019, the Perak State Government launched their Village Adoption Programme, aimed at helping Orang Asli villages to improve their socioeconomic status
Perak MB Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu and Tok Batin (village head) Panjang Aris Wok, with the Orang Asli children of Kampung Sungai Cincin.
Image via Perak State GovernmentIn Perak alone, there are at least 256 Orang Asli villages, with over 60,000 inhabitants. Despite living in close proximity to towns and city centres, many of these villages are still behind in economy, education, and development.
The encouraging news is that at least 20 of these Orang Asli villages have already been adopted by government-linked companies (GLCs) in Perak
According to Perak MB Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, both GLCs and private companies are encouraged to adopt Orang Asli villages as part of their CSR programmes.
Nonetheless, this programme is not meant to be a one-off initiative, but a yearlong effort to raise their standards of living with three main focuses—education, sports, and women empowerment.
In Kampung Sungai Cincin, Chenderiang, Menteri Besar Perak Incorporated (MB Inc.) has held baking, sewing, and makeup classes to teach Orang Asli women vocational skills
Makeup classes and baking classes with the Orang Asli women at Kampung Sungai Cincin.
Image via Perak State GovernmentAfter talking to the village women, MB Inc. found out these were their three areas of interest. Since then, MB Inc. has brought in qualified trainers to help them develop their skills and grow their confidence. Hopefully, these skills can be used to grow the village's economy in the long run.
Another key focus of the programme is to equip the Orang Asli children through education
Orang Asli children of Kampung Sungai Cincin learning how to read, write, and count.
Image via Perak State GovernmentTutors regularly visit the village to help the primary school Orang Asli children develop the basic skills of reading, writing, and counting.
Besides that, they have also held football workshops by Perak Football Association (PAFA) coaches
Here's a look at the women's football team from Kampung Sungai Cincin.
Image via Perak State GovernmentRecently, another GLC has been bringing the Hari Kebangsaan cheer to four adopted Orang Asli villages
The Perak State Agriculture Development Corporation (SADC) has planned a whole month of celebrations with their four adopted Orang Asli villages, which are Kampung Sungai Perah, Kampung Lawai, Kampung Sungai Pelawan, and Kampung Batu 14.
Besides giving out Jalur Gemilang flags, they've held fun activities like cultural dances, home decoration contests, singing competitions, and sporting events with the villagers.
All in all, we're super excited to watch this initiative come to life. Can't wait to see what's in store for the Orang Asli community!
