Dr Jerip (sixth right) accepting a memento from Mary, as Datin Lee (second right), Inting (right), Marjolyn (third left) and Foo (second left), as well as members of Teresian Sparks of Youth look on.
BAU: A new recreation park in Kampung Peninjau Baru here could become the venue for the younger generation to hold various community programmes.
The ‘Rimang Rami’ – or ‘place of happenings’ in Bidayuh – was declared open by Assistant Minister of Public Health Datuk Dr Jerip Susil recently.
He noted that the park was derived from a collaborative community project between SMK St Teresa and Petronas. Specifically, it was driven by a group of 20 Form 4 students from school, known as ‘Teresian Sparks of Youth’, guided by two teachers Marjolyn Michael and Cecilia Foo. Construction of the 2,000sq ft (185m²) park began on May 1 this year and it was completed on July 4.
According to Dr Jerip, the project is part of ‘All About Youths Programme’ (PAAYP) – a corporate social investment (CSI) set up by Petronas in 2014, which engages 1,800 students from 90 schools in Sarawak, Sabah, Terengganu, Johor, Melaka and Kelantan. This year, it is running from March to September.
For Teresian Sparks of Youth, they will compete with these other schools during the programme’s showdown in Kuala Lumpur this September, where the ‘Best of the Best’ will be decided based on creativity, originality, sustainability, impact and presentation.
“The students have delivered their job well. I admire their determination not only in helping the community here, but also for taking up the challenge I have given them.
“The target was for them to raise about RM20,000, but they managed to collect RM14,000. However, I matched the figure with another RM14,000, in recognition of their impressive feat. It’s really a great learning process for them,” Dr Jerip said.
He also highlighted the park project the means to improve the well-being of the community, increase environmental awareness among the residents and promote healthier lifestyle to all members of the public.
“It is also a safe playground for children, with a variety of equipment such as swings and monkey bars for them to play, exercise and have fun.
“For senior citizens, there is a reflexology footpath, which can also accommodate stalls selling food or vegetables. This doubles as a means for local villagers to earn extra income. It is my hope that Bau folks would make full use of the park,” he said.
Dr Jerip came with his wife Datin Lee Chai Foong to the opening ceremony, which was also attended by Bau District Officer Inting Nyami, prominent Bidayuh figure Datuk Peter Nyumek, Kampung Peninjau Baru community leader Andrew Borit Menaf, Kampung Peninjau Baru Women’s Bureau chairperson Mendu Lawe, and SMK St Teresa principal Mary John.
Meanwhile in conjunction with its 130th anniversary, SMK St Teresa will host a fundraising dinner at Riverside Majestic Hotel here this Aug 15. According to the organising committee, the event aims to collect money to finance the purchase of school equipment.
“Those interested to join can contact SMK St Teresa at 082-244598 for more details,” it said.