RECMO VII - Kampung Jelempuk, Arau Perlis (11 - 14 Sep 2008)
Perlis State EXCO YB En. Jafperi Othman and representative from CIMB
During Ramadhan Muslims are encouraged to do as many good deeds as they can. As such, 75 students had participated in the Residential College Mesra Outreach Program (RECMO V11) which was conducted at Kampong Jelempuk Arau Perlis on 11 – 14 September, 2008. This Homestay program is a community service programme whereby the students were assigned to an adopted family with whom they stayed with throughout the 4 days that they were there.
This is a new experience for the students, especially for the international students. For Islam Mokhtar, a student from Egypt, this was his first time since he arrived in Malaysia being able to taste homemade local delicacies for Iftar that were cooked by his adopted mother. He is looking forward to visit them again during Aidul Fitr. For Ismail Ousman from Chad who was given a nickname Chepita (Perlis Footballer) by the villagers, this experience can never be forgotten because of their warm hospitality even though he is from a different country and culture.
Throughout the programme, 35 students were involved in giving motivational programme to students of Sekolah Kebangsaan Jelempuk and another 40 at Sekolah Menengah Datuk Sheikh Ahmad Arau. The module for this programme was designed to motivate the school students to excel in their studies.
The students also went to visit 14 less fortunate families in the village. A slot called ‘BERSAMAMU’ was allocated where the students distributed gifts to the needy people of Kampung Jelempuk, which include rice, an Adabi product hamper, and a bag of dried and can foods. It was a pleasant surprise for these families as they were not expecting the visit. The students also had a sharing session with them. Stories on their family background and how they coped with life were shared. It was truly a touching and an eye opening session for the committee as they realised that life is full of hardships and they should be grateful for what they have.
The 4-day program had indeed brought joy to the people of Kampong Jelempuk with the activities conducted by the students. Some of the adopted families even took the students to the paddy field in order to get them to experience the life as farmers.
The closing ceremony of the programme was graced by Perlis State EXCO En. Jafperi Othman. Also present at the ceremony was Tuan Hj Mohd Noor Rosli Baharum, Director of Student Services Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS.
