On a Monday afternoon, 17th November 2008, a group of 20 students and 2 teachers met at the Singapore Changi Airport. We were leaving for the Braang Payang Village in Sarawak to serve the community through the teaching of English to primary school students. We were all excited as we set out to achieve goals, personal and service alike. That night, we arrived at the longhouse, a traditional form of shelter that the local Dayaks live in—our accommodation for the next seven days.

The welcome dance performed by the students on our first day at school is a form of traditional Dayak performance.

Left: A traditional Dayak Longhouse, which was our accommodation.

Right: Village children were being taught an English song in a small group.

The next morning, we arrived at the school for our first day of teaching. At assembly, a teacher from the school formally introduced us to the students. Then, a group of students performed a dance unique to their culture for us. Subsequently, we split up into groups and began our lessons. Many of us were nervous as we did not know what to expect from the students. Nevertheless, we stepped into the classrooms armed with lesson plans, loud voices, sweets and confidence, ready to face the challenge.

Five hours later, we gathered back at the longhouse to share our experience with other groups. Most of us managed to achieve our lesson objectives but nonetheless there were some problems we faced. Some common issues raised were the differing abilities of the students, and lessons which were slightly too difficult. After some discussion, we ironed out these problems and came up with improvements, hoping to do better the next day.

On the first two afternoons, we went back to the school to tidy up the library. We sorted all the books (including some 200 books we brought) into different categories. Some of us helped to clean the library by washing the windows, wiping furniture and sweeping the floors. After the second afternoon there, the library was good to be used.

Our efforts at sprucing up the school library. 

On the third afternoon, we explored a stretch of a stream that wound through the forest, and at the same time, cleared it of litter. It was noticed that the locals could not see the importance of keeping the stream clean, as many of us had our trash bags filled with objects such as batteries, plastic bags and sweet wrappers. Hopefully, our efforts would prompt the people there to keep their water source clean.

Left: Setting an example by picking litter along the stream that runs through the village, with Mr Rives, our local guide.

Lessons at the school continued for a total of four days. Each day, our love for the students and the passion we had for teaching increased. Our teaching skills improved considerably as well. On the last day of lessons, we were more sensitive to our students’ learning styles and needs, and quick to respond to disruptions in our lesson plans by improvising. Some of us were also considerably well-versed in the Bidayuh language, the primary form of communication of the locals. Before leaving, we led the school in a series of cheers we had taught them during lessons, and performed our orientation mass dance for them. After the principal’s closing speech, we bade the students goodbye.

Left: We taught the children Captain’s Ball, which they thoroughly enjoyed.

Right: Bidding farewell on the last day of school.

During the following days, we participated in activities such as fishing, bamboo rafting, and night hiking, most of which were new to many of us. We also sat through a Bidayuh mass service on Sunday, and got to know more about the local culture. In addition, we spent a day visiting pepper and rubber farms, and swimming in a freezing waterfall after hiking through the forests. We ended each of these days with an enjoyable night of singing. I suppose I won’t elaborate but let the photos show the fun that we had.

Rafting competition on a sunny afternoon in the huge pond by the Longhouse.

Group photo taken with the hosts of Agrotouri Longhouse Stay

On the last day, we bought souvenirs and visited a museum in Kuching, the capital of Sarawak. That night, we left for Singapore after bidding our hospitable hosts farewell. The trip was definitely one of a kind for all of us, and we will keep this memorable experience in our hearts forever.

Written By: Joel Wong 1SB1 (2008)
Photographs By: Mr Charles (Agrotouri) and Mr Isaac Ho (Project Co-Leader)