Day Out For Orang Asli Children

Chaperoned by four adults, viz. two teachers and an “old girl” of the school along with her husband; 41 children from SMK Raja Perempuan Kelsom in Kuala Kangsar, enjoyed a day out to Ipoh city, first for lunch at McDonald’s, followed by a movie at TGV Cinemas at Kinta City.

After watching X-Men: Days of Future Past, the entourage proceeded to the Lost World of Tambun for a splashing good time at the hot springs followed by dinner, before calling it a day.

The children, girls aged 13 to 17 years old, are from the aboriginal community of Pos Kuala Mu in the forest, some 8 hours’ drive from Sungai Siput town. They study at SMK Raja Perempuan Kelsom, Kuala Kangsar, staying at the hostel provided and only return home during school breaks.

The event was supported and made possible by the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Perak Chapter, particularly members Tower Regency Hotel & Apartments, Symphony Suites, Syeun Hotel, Impiana Hotel Ipoh, Kinta Riverfront Hotel & Suites and Lost World of Tambun, as well as generous sponsors such McDonald’s and TGV Cinemas.

This first outing was initiated by Pn. Norabelle Shaw, an old girl of the school and her team, who believed that these children should experience what teenage city girls normally do in their free time, such as eating fast food, going to the movies and spending quality time with friends. Therefore, the trip was a cultural exposure for the children, many of whom have no luxury of everyday electrical appliances that modern households take for granted.

Pn. Nora said, “Hopefully, now that these girls have enjoyed themselves, they or their friends will have second thoughts about dropping out from school, as the Old Girls of the school will continue to expose them to a lot more things. We plan to do something different next time, possibly something related to the wildlife.”

Event: Day Out For Orang Asli Children
Venue: Ipoh
Date: 25th June, 2014
Time: 2pm – 9pm

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