Bakti Siswa @ Felda Lok Heng

Just a couple of days ago, we went to Felda Lok Heng for some community service. Bakti Siswa, as it is called, is like this - you go in and be "anak angkat" of one of the participating family. You stay there with them, but you have to join all the programme lined up. No its not a free loading either, these families were paid some money for that.

So off we go to Felda Lok Heng, Kota Tinggi!!

The first stumble though, came as early as on the first day. We were told to wait for the bus at 7.30 a.m. Guess what, we waited for 1 hour plus for the UKM drivers to drive the buses here. WTF!!

But still, over 40 of us still managed to embark safely to Kota Tinggi.

After some long long journey which was filled with sleeping and more sleeping, we reached our destination at 3.30p.m. We were served with some foods to cure our starving stomachs.

Then, we were assigned our "keluarga angkat" (foster family) and go home with them, only to take bath and get to know the house we are going to spend two nights there. At evening, we were to be playing some local sport call petanque. Apparently, their main evening sport is this.

petanque is just like lawn bowl...only in a traditional way

the nearest to the tiny ball wins, every ball for one point. First to 15 points win.

That night after prayer, the game continues but i and another engineering faculty dude who were assigned to the same family decided to chat with the foster father Mr. Jamaluddin Hashim. He has 4 children, of whom all were quite successful on their own right. The eldest is even a doctor. He is, no doubt very proud of this daughter.

In Felda, there are many benefits the settlers can get. Felda even sponsors the children to further their studies and many other useful courses. However, Mr. Hashim said that many were not interested and they are more comfortable lazing around waiting for parents to feed them.

Apparently, their TV can received Indonesian and Singaporean channels too! We watch and Indonesian show called the Miss Celebrity Indonesia, which was won by the most "not beautiful" finalist.

The next morning we had aerobics, which was miraculously attended by all UKM participants and lead by the elders from Felda Lok Heng. And they put many guys to shame by outlast and outfit them. Serve them right.

Then the real fun begins. Our first trip of the day is to the palm oil plant nursery. Here, all baby oil palm plants are palnted and taken care off before being sent to the real farm to be planted. Of course they do tell us a lot of things but as you know, i am more interested in sightseeing than hearing. But i ask the only question that come to my mind. How long does it take from planting a seed to the day we got the return? 4 years. And compare that to rubber trees that also need the same soil as palm oil.

beautiful? I think the same....

up close and personal, people.....

Next on our agenda is the oil palm farm. Here we are to walk through the farm and reach the factory. My fantastic friend Aiza was unfortunately carrying some injuries and the walk was a chore since we were in nursery and it worsen in the oil palm farm. Poor girl...

me at the entrance to the farm

Aiza who by now is half-dead but still play on for this photo..We had many scandals already so for you who saw this picture and think of anything, save it.

Felda seems to be very creative. They manage to convert the palm oil waste into fertilizer. They called it forming, i think it is because they wait for those waste to foam. The smell stink by the way.

we hiked a lorry to the foaming pool. this photo is deliberately taken this way so that you know how chaotic this bunch of law students inside the lorry

This fantastic technology is, however, not shared with other companies. If this is shared, surely the environment would be better. When i ask if they had any plan to sell the technology, they are non-committal.

the final level foaming pond

this is how they spray. However, only ten years old above trees can be sprayed. Every three months spray one time.

Then, we get to get into the factory for real. In the factory, we were glad to be treated with a tasty lunch. Tha should be our breakfast though but we were delayed at the nursery so it became our lunch. I must say, the foods are good, but poor Aiza would not be joining us in the factory but to rest in the bus while eating the food in the bus all alone!

We do see a lot and learn a lot about the factory. One advice to be given to the kids. Study hard or you will end up in the factory everyday! That is not a good thing. You had been warned.

However, it is said (i do not know if it is true) that the engineer there work only one day per week in the factory and their salary is, well, high. Maybe it is not so good that i reveal the figure here.

factory!!

Just so you can see the smoke that came out. by the way, that is Geok you are seeing.

i am not kidding you, the smoke smells sweet

We skipped the jungle trekking part as it was already too late. We organized a motivation talk for the local students here on that afternoon, while we ourselves busied ourselves by making some beautiful bookmarks for the benefits of the disabled institution in this place. Later, we had a futsal match, which the UKM girls teams were thrashed badly by the Felda Lok Heng teams while the boys teams fared much better but still lost. Nevermind, it is the sporting spirit and friendships that matters.

That very night, we organized another talk, this time on family and relationship for the benefits of the older generation of the settlers. I do not think it is wise for me to list out what the ustaz said lest my blog be the religio-political battleground.

The next morning was the time to say goodbye. After the closing ceremony, the buses were, of course very late again so we bought some drinks for all the "parents". Everyone was happy so i don't mind taking out some money. Afiq was so nice to share half of the cost and Shahrul lent his bike for us to get those drinks.

When the bus finally arrived, it was an emotional scene as this time, it is farewell for real. Jasmine was crying so badly and so do many others. They had really treat us very well and it is always hard t say goodbye. May they always have happiness and good health.

Some pics we managed to take together

After we left Felda Lok Heng, we went for a round of fun in Desaru. Geok and Shea Erl still owe me those beautiful pictures. Better get some from Aien too. Haha..

Note : Special thanks to Geok and Aiza for lending me their phone for me to take pictures. Moral values - do buy phones with picture taking capability.

More notes :

1) The Felda Lok Heng settlers are mainly well-off, mainly from the generous Felda and also the recent palm oil price hike. They need not our help financially but as their children had grown up and they are left at home alone, i think we brought some colors to their life, which is not at all a bad thing.

2) Don't ask me how the Felda scheme works and how much they earned. I do not think i should reveal them in public domain.

For all the great memories, we thank all the people involved directly and indirectly.