A group of students cleaning the house of their host family in Kampung Sedili Besar, Kota Tinggi.
THE Sekretariat Anak Johor (Sohor) from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) sent 40 members to conduct a two-day community programme at Kampung Sedili Besar, Kota Tinggi.
UMT Sohor coordinator Assoc Prof Dr Nor Fazliyana Mohtar said the initiative was conducted under the “Jelajah Johor” programme, which aims to train students to play an active role in their communities.
“The students lived with 10 families in Kampung Sedili Besar and experienced their day-to-day routine.
“They were required to aid these families and the local communities in five areas, namely education, family, social, cultural and spiritual.”
She said the students were also required to conduct programmes for local youth, to motivate them to further their studies.
“Our objective is to produce students who excel academically and can contribute to social programmes.
“We want them to be responsible for helping their community improve and preparing them for any challenges.
The senior lecturer from the Fisheries and Food Science Faculty added that this was also in line with the fourth United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which is to provide inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities.
“We have also conducted knowledge-sharing sessions with SPM school-leavers on some of the academic opportunities available at UMT,” said Nor Fazliyana.
Munirah (right) and her peers with their host parents Ab Wahab (left) and Faridah (in pink, background).
She said the “Jelajah Johor” programme was in its 11th year.
Sohor president Munirah Mansor, 23, said that being with her host family for two days was like living with her own family as she was given the trust and responsibility to manage her “siblings”.
“We learned about their struggles and how we could help them.
“Both of my host parents were really caring and understanding, and they even let me use their vehicle to conduct our programme around the village, which was very helpful.”
She said there were 63 Sohor members.
Another Sohor member, Nur Fatihah Sharifudin, 22, said the programme should be extended for at least a week.
“Two days was quite short for us to be with our host families, but overall it had been a fun experience.
“My group was hosted by a single mother and being able to help her was very meaningful for me.
“I hope we can conduct similar programmes in the future,” said Nur Fatihah.
Kampung Sedili Besar mosque committee member Ab Wahab Othman, 61, said hosting the students in his home brought joy to him and his wife, Faridah Usop, 50.
“I have four children but all of them are grown up and living with their own families.
“When these students were placed in our care, we were very happy.
“It had been so long since my house was so lively, so I really liked having them around,” he said, adding that he hoped to be chosen again to host the students.
