We recently dropped off a bunch of school supplies and other stuff collected by Joyce Leong and friends of Reita of Gerai OA to the Cenwaey Penaney Community Learning Center (PDK) in Kampung Ulu Tual. As the teaching proper at the PDK the starts in January, these donations were very timely.
Also, given that well-wishers tend to donate children’s books, usually in English, for the PDK we decided to take advantage of the annual 24-hour Big Bad Wolf book sale that was currently going on. Here we were able to purchase some great photo books and otherwise very-expensive educational books at bargain prices.
Like most of us, the kids at Ulu Tual also like the more ‘adult’ books, especially those that show real pictures of real things.
Not having much access to documentaries on TV or having the chance to visit the world outside, these books provide a glimpse of what is there beyond their community.
It is like us showing the urban kids a line-drawing of a bamboo fish trap (bubu), rather than showing a photo of the real thing in use, and hoping the ‘message’ gets through.
Now the task is to make sure the books don’t get spoiled due to the high humidity in the learning center …
CN-COAC | 17 December 2014
Off-loading the supplies of school stationery, bags and books.
Jenita makes a stock-check of the donated stationeries.
The sun-lit corner by the window looks set to become the ‘library’.
The kids who were around, clamoured for the books.
The children’s books were quickly browsed through, and then they went for the big ones.
We decided to make another trip to the book fair after returning from Ulu Tual. At 2am, there was still quite a crowd to contend with.
Yein and intern Fatien checking out the books.
Both big books and kiddie books were chosen.
We came away with 3 trolleys and one suitcase (not in the picture) full of books. But some of the books were for the adults too ,,,