KUCHING: Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) in collaboration with Peng Doh Belaga (Belaga Women Organisation) recently held the ‘Basic Community Programme’ for the Penan community at Long Wat, Murum.
The programme aimed to equip the community with new skills which will contribute towards a harmonious community in their new resettlement village of Tegulang.
The programme included motivational talks and hands-on workshop on a variety of subjects ranging from basic hygiene to cooking.
About 60 villagers, including the men, attended and displayed keen interest in picking up new skills.
SEB social investment manager Joanne Tan, on behalf of the company, said they were pleased with the enthusiasm and passion showed by the community.
“Among the activities that were well received by the community is the sharing of arts and crafts.
“During the sharing session, some villagers eagerly rushed home to collect their art work in the form of weaved rattan baskets and beaded accessories with intricate and unique designs to show to our team.”
“The other popular class was the cooking class, where the ladies chopped, mixed, and fried away an array of fritters and banana chips to the delight of young children who were more than happy to munch on their new found recipes,” she said.
The workshops were beneficial for both Sarawak Energy and the local Penans as it provided an avenue for SEB to identify future community development and entrepreneurship programmes.
This will also enable SEB to scout for potential talents amongst the locals in handicrafts, parang-making and cooking.
This partnership between SEB and the resettled communities in Murum will continue as a long term commitment to ensure the communities progress well in their new living environment.
“By organising such programmes, we believe the local community can move forward by enhancing their potentials and capabilities.
These workshops are vital for the community as it also promote social unity. It is also great that the local community can learn from this and grow as a better informed and skilled unit,” Joanne added.
The Basic Community Programme is just one of Sarawak Energy’s strings of community events organised for the betterment of the community in Murum.
SEB is determined to continually engage the local community in the future to ensure a prolonged mutual relationship with the locals.
Other similarly beneficial programmes that SEB had organised for the indigenous communities include ‘Home Garden’ and Murum Penan Literacy Programme.