COMMUNITY SERVICE INITIATIVE
Week 1 [1-5 April]
Today is Friday.
- suppose to be a Tuesday but we had to shift the class-
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I had my first day of class and right away we got into the project for our community service initiative. The first impression I got was a real shocker; to see over 100 hundred students, from 5 different semester intakes. Anyways...
The project module, lead by Mr. Edwin and Ms. Norji had set something different for us this semester where our focus was on the orang asli children of Ulu Melaka. We took time distributing the tasks among ourselves since it was a large group but primarily us Semester 6 will be manning the sponsorships and funds for the project.
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As for me, I am part of the Furniture team. In all honestly, we were all lost as into what the sequence of the project was supposed we began by finding, compiling and contacting possible sponsors to our cause. Unlike others, my methods differed where I approached churches and close contacts around me. My idea was that since I knew a couple of churches that was in the midst of renovating/moving, they would want to donate their furnitures. It was a really long and dry week because it seems as if no one was interested nor did any companies respond to my emails and texts.
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INFORMATION
- 4 to 18 years of age
- design in based on the ages 4- 7 to encourage schooling
- Site dimension: 10800(L) x 7300(W) x 5000(H)
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SPONSORSHIP TEAM
- Paint
-Bookshelves
- Reading material
- Stationary
- Furniture
Week 2 [8-12 April]
The same progress maintained for me. My job was to simply keep contact and reach out to the organisations in case for a response. But this time round I figured that I needed a different approach. While I was in the area looking for a printing shop - another project module- I took the chance to drop by and visit the organisations to speak with some of them in person.
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This method thankfully had a better response.
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Our team met once again this week to discuss and iron out details that we needed to clear because most of us were still left behind. We managed to come up with a rough estimated budget and figure for the quantity of furniture needed.
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Week 3 [15-19 April]
We met with Mr. Edwin today (Tuesday) to review our progress and set a tentative date for our upcoming presentation. It was the most productive we have ever been thus far since the beginning of this project. We have several good news on our team
- it was about time because we needed the morale boost -
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PROGRESS INFORMATION
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​We received official letter
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ideating on token of appreciation for sponsors
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Specific furniture details i.e beanbags 4 pcs
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We had successfully made arrangements to secure a total of 3 - 6 sets of tables and chairs for the orang asli library; aside from the collections that I have made..
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The new difficulty was that with all the furniture and quotations received, we still could not proceed without a rough furniture layout plan of the new design. We did not want to make an order with the sponsors until we had confirmation so we worked with what we had.
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We decided that drawing up a basic estimate of space for the furniture arrangement would at least help move things along. Doing it on CAD helped us visualize better.
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Friday better news arrived. A contact reached out to me saying that they want to donate a bundle of things. Everything from furnitures to books and stationeries.
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Week 4 [22-26 April]
Thank the God for blessings. We needed some substantial proof that we are moving a head and I have. As of Monday I had already collected several items from organisations that donated to the project.
1. kids colorful tables
2. 6 ft black shelf
3. A set of 4 rattan chair
4. 12 study table and chair set
5. beanbags
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-Thursday-
I made another trip down to Sri Petaling look through the items that we could take and use. I managed to transport several small items up to Sunway to store at a temporary place in Sunway
[Post Planning + Proposal Presentation]
Following up to our individual group projects, we each presented our progress during the Friday presentation. Us semester 6 started off first since we are Group 1 of Sponsorship.
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UPDATED INFORMATION
We need to find a place for storage in campus to make transportation easier for us later towards the moving day.
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Ms. Norji spoke to us about the furniture and our focus needs to change. We now look for funds instead of donations in order to match the planned design. So to proceed:
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Quality and condition of only suitable furniture
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Furniture preferably purchased from funds collected
PRESENTATION SLIDES + GROUP PICTURE
Week 5 [29-3 May]
An update, we spent the week searching for sponsors who are willing to give funds aside from items since we have a new focus. We had a discussion with the finance team together with Mr.edwin, agreeing that with our targetted fund donation of 3.5k, 1k will be allocated to purchasing furnitures from the student funds collected.
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We did come up with an alternative method of fund collection thought. We thought that rather than to approach company, we can collect from individuals. It is better than waiting.
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My methods still worked for me so I continued to contact familiar people and companies. Glad to say that they were more than kind to give more.
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Besides collection for my group, I also collected on behalf for other teams such as the stationary and books team. Surprisingly, the donations given were more received than requesting for funds or items.
Week 6 [6-10 May]
As of this week, the progress came with a bit of set backs because of confusion. These were the points in discussion
1. Furniture Layout Plan
2. Transportation and Storage
3. Funding
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In the process of preparation and furniture selection we realized that there are things that needed to be completed before we can continue. So we proceeded with other things in the meantime.
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We began forming a furniture listing while waiting for the juniors response on the layout plan.
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We also held an impromtu class meeting as an update for our week's progress. Up until this point we have not been able to come close to our quota. Which gives us roughly 2 weeks to finalize the funds as discussed.
We also planned a tentative date for our visit to Ikea to survey furnitures for the library
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Week 7 [13-17May]
The new thing in the week was the presentation that we had as part of the module requirement to present our findings thus far.I was at a blank for this weeks progress because aside from following up with companies such as Ikea, there was close to no responses from any other company that was approached.
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After having a long silent period from the companies, I finally had a breakthrough. The company that I completed my internship with was generous to sponsor us with an amount of 1.5k.
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What joy it was to know that we managed to collect a total RM2590 with only just RM410 more to reach the target.
BUT NOT GIVING HOPES UP UNTIL I ACTUALLY RECEIVE THE CHEQUE.
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LET'S GO TEAM!
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On my personal part, I have been rather quite involved with the books and stationaries team. The churches who have donated has been more than accomodating in giving books, furnitures and stationaries.
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In the image below it might not look like it, but trust me. The but is full off books. NOT EVEN EXAGGERATING
Week 8 [20-24May]
It is Tuesday and we decided to keep things short and sweet this week since everyone is busy. We updated Mr.Edwin with our progress and were glad to know we were on the right track.
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This week was a major hassle, it being a week with loads to accomplish before the moving date. We had a quick meet with Mr.Edwin and the biggest achievement thus far is that the RM1.5k cheque came in. Granting our total fund to be at RM2590. Our furniture team really needed that morale boost after all the bard work we put in.
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Now come the not so good news. Miscommunication and setbacks caused the furniture layout plan to be delayed and not done properly. In all fairness it was good effort considering these were new ones who have only begun learning the program.
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SO....
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The plan for this week is to finalize the buget collection by this week and within the next 2 weeks, we purchase the items and start making arrangements for the transport.
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Oh ya...We carried paint too. loads of it.
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Week 9 [27-31May]
To set things on course for this week, The week started off with accompanying Patrick from the paint team to collect and meet our sponsor from Kansai paint. We were tired but look, still smiling.
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Then on Thursday,
we furniture group began our 2nd phase of the project, survey and cataloging. We did this to speed up our work process. So we made a trip down to Ikea to select furnitures that we have chosen online. All we need now is to wait for a reply on whether or not to proceed with the purchase.
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SOMETHIGN DIFFERENT...
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First time speaking to juniors in the class. Jordan and myself helped the books team to announce the donation process to juniors in semester 1.
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I may not be in the picture but trust me I WAS THERE GIVING THE ANNOUCEMENT.
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AND HEY!
I also made a new friend. I liased with the class rep from their semester on donationss.
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Week 10 [3-7June]
Im gonna speed through this weeks update just like speed of this weeks working gear mode. Everything seemes to be on track for furniture. So all we need now is to confirm the other teams on arrangement before we make the purchase from Ikea.
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We were tired of doing other work so I along with several others lent a hand to the stationary team to help sharpen colour pencils.
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It was such a therapeutical experience lol.
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Within the same day, I made an urgent trip down to the church storing our donations to take final measurements for the plan drawings needed. We worked fast in order to beat the building jam.
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Week 11 [10-14June]
This week really started off shaky. We still had pending sponsors that needed to come back to us on new revised arrangements concerning funds and most importantly, the companies bringing furnitures. There were times where it felt as if us Group 1 furniture team had to support and contribute more than was bargained.
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But I am glad that through it all; after many meetings upon meetings. We finally were able to conclude what could be the most crucial part in the project. We (Darren, Fiona, Patrick, myself) made our move to Ikea with Mr.edwin and Ms.Norji to finalize our purchase..
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Let me just say, It was a miracle that we could ft all that we bought. It was really shocking because one of the biggest issue was transporting the large amount of furniture. We settled everything by that night itself , which was perfect.
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By Friday morning Mr.Edwin and I received the final purchases. He collected the stools from Cheras, while I liased with the company sending the whiteboard.. Later, that evening I helped transport books to speed things up for the collection.
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15June - Action Day
Man did we wake up exhausted after a long week , but LET"S GET IT and LET"S GO!!!
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It is Saturday morning, Group 1 furniture, consisting of manager, Darren, Fiona and me with additional hands Patrick, Jordan, Aisha and Janson came to assist the juniors in setting up the furnitures. And because we manage to complete our part by around 5pm, we helped out in any other ways we could where we could. I cleaned drains, what fun
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Overall, It was a well made day that was rewarding to the heart eventhough it was unforgiving to the body. It was a joy to be able to see the place really come together.
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Amateurs beyond words...
Started from the Bottom now we here...
16 June - Sneak Peak!
Something for all of us to look forward to; after having put our efforts in so diligently.
Week 12 - Launch Day!!!
It is Saturday, and its game on! it is the day that we put in our final push; to see all the hard work come together for the grand opening. But this also meant that it was hectic in an organised manner. Everyone was out and about doing things to help speed up the process of the putting in the final touches.
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Those present were us Semester 6s' with a majority of the junior semester groups. You can already imagine how packed it was. Since being in the furniture sponsorship team meant that we our job was technically complete, I along with others helped around.
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Together in a team, I built up last pieces of additional furniture; I helped pumped balloons and fitted it according to a design.
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TELL YOU FIRST HAND...It was scary to use a ladder that was already disfunctional and even more putting on slopes and balancing it over 'longkangs'(drains). Fast forwarding to 1 hour later, we settled the balloon decor, furniture re-arrangement and the stationary setup.
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Food preparation was the last thing that we did since we had to clean up the place. As all events have setbacks, this was no different where we had a little delay with the VIPs arrival and what not but in the end it all came together beautifully.
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HIGHLIGHTS!
Sadly dont have pictures to show you but we had super alot of ice-cream! I and a few others decided to go abit further and buy the kids ice cream. It was a real joy being able to have fun with them.
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We danced and did silly stuff together. I was just as blessed by the event in the same way our project wanted to bless these kids.
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Who knew us semester 6 could dance. CHICKEN DANCE btw!!!
DIY plstic bag shoes just coz he wanted ice cream
Gang Sem 6
Forever!!!
My handsome boss...
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P.S. Fiona if you see this...you mudda lucky you scored a HO
The Closing - Reflection [Journal]
As a closing to an adventurous journey, I can gladly say that I have learned alot. It was a joy to be able to work interdependant and cooperatively with the batches of students that I have come to call friends. In our collaboration to serve this orang asli community, it really gave us a sense of accomplishment in our minor contributions. Socially, it was a visual lesson of unity as we saw everyone bonding through this space across social backgrounds while allowing me as well as others to practice our skills and strengthen our lifelong academic learning.

For just as there were many difficult moments, there were just as many smiles and laughter. This community project is one that has become one of the fondest memories that remains with me. So much so, that with heartfelt gratitude it weighs my heart to be not able to experience it another time. This journey will remain a nostalgic memory as it touched my heart being able to see the efforts and works come together beautifully.
Till next time.