The dos and don’ts

IF you think you’ve got what it takes to be a Project WHEE! participant, listen to what its coordinators Rhonwyn Hagedorn, Daniel Devan and Lee Rui Ci have to say about what to expect and how to stay on top of things.

> Put yourself in the other person’s shoes

Picking up a new language is not easy. To realise how difficult it is, participants are advised to do the opposite – pick up Kelabit first!

“Some participants were quick to complain about their assigned Kelabit woman not being able to remember English words that they were just taught.

“But the participants themselves forget the Kelabit word right away!” says Hagedorn.

If you do not understand the person you are assigned to help, communication is going to be difficult.“They’re not robots, you know.”

> Be aware of cultural differences

Before going on your trip, try finding out what is acceptable, and what is not, to the community.

According to Hagedorn, this is something many will overlook, leading to “culture shock” situations.

“Try to understand that you are dealing with a different culture. We are all different, but that’s OK,” she adds.

> Be open

Generally, participants of Project WHEE! have never set foot on Bario.

That is why Daniel strongly advocates “keeping an open mind”.

“As much as you prepare, you don’t really know what to expect until you experience it first-hand. Take instructions, but be quick on your feet. You must be flexible enough to adapt,” he advises.

As a lot of the activities are done in groups, Daniel feels understanding group dynamics and communicating ideas is also crucial.

> Keep that attitude in check

Besides immersing in the culture, Hagedorn says participants should always be humble since they are the visitors.

“We shouldn’t have a ‘holier than thou’ attitude. We are only there to inspire change and help in whatever way we can,” she adds.

Lee concurs, saying participants should avoid “sounding superior” to others.

> Ask questions

Every participant in Project WHEE! has had to get used to the way of life in Bario. These days, however, the process is quicker.

Hagedorn attributes this to the training process, and previous participants sharing their experiences.

“The project alumni usually compare notes and what the solutions were. But it all depends on the questions raised.”

> Despair not

When Lee was assigned a tepuq (elder) in Bario, she was excited to get going.

“Being a task-oriented person, I had many goals to achieve.

“But when I met her, she wasn’t exactly enthusiastic. Some of them think it will be nice to learn English, but kalau tak jadi, tak jadilah (if it doesn’t work, it doesn’t matter),” she says.

Not knowing how to overcome this lackadaisical attitude was her biggest challenge as a participant, but Lee did not give up.

“I realised it’s a long-term project and that there will be no instant results. I toned down my approach and instead just enjoyed the experience.”