On 3 September 2009, the OCIP Sarawak team had its first meeting, where most of us met our team members for the first time. The 17 of us, with 2 awesome teachers, were broken up into 6 groups to teach our respective levels, and the main objective was to teach and impart English skills to the children over at Sarawak, from Grades 1 to 6, as well as to participate in some environmental improvement work.

We departed for Kuching, Sarawak on 16 November 2009 and upon arrival, checked into our longhouse accommodation and were warmly greeted by our hosts. There, we found out that due to community needs and constraints, we had to make last minute adjustments to our lessons. Nonetheless, we gamely took up the challenge, and by merging our groups, we ensured that by the following day, we were prepared to conduct lessons for our students ranging from Grade 4 to 6. Furthermore, we quickly adjusted to the eleventh-hour modifications to the teaching structure and on the next day, when we met our students for the first time, lessons proceeded smoothly despite the initial awkwardness.

Teaching English via the Hokey Pokey dance

Interacting with the Bidayuh children

Between lessons, we engaged in many enriching activities such as visiting a pepper farm, constructing and racing bamboo rafts, and trekking to a waterfall and a bat cave. We also engaged in community improvement works by wading into knee high water and cleaning up a stream by picking up litter. This was both challenging and exhilarating as we had to make sure to keep our footing and avoid especially slippery areas.

Cleaning the village stream

At the same time, lessons were productive and very fulfilling to teach as we bonded more with our students. On the last day, we said our goodbyes to the children after exchanging gifts and singing into the night. Some of us cried during the exchange of addresses.

Alas, all good things come to an end, and we had to leave this wonderful place. On 21st November, we left Sarawak tired but happy and contented that we had made an impact on the children’s lives, and brought home with us many wonderful memories of our time there.