Kindergarten Set-Up at Orang Asli Settlement Kg. Serigala

On 17th March 2022, a remarkable initiative aimed at improving educational access for underserved communities took place in Kg. Serigala, an Orang Asli settlement in Kuala Kubu Bahru, Tanjung Malim. UPLIFT (Pertubuhan Bangkit), in collaboration with SUKA Society and Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) Wilayah, spearheaded the setup of a Kindergarten for the children of this remote community. This initiative is in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education, which focuses on ensuring inclusive and equitable education for all.

The Need for a Kindergarten in Kg. Serigala

Kg. Serigala is home to 48 families, including 20 children aged 4 to 6 years old. These children, from one of Malaysia’s indigenous Orang Asli communities, lacked access to formal early childhood education. Without affordable options within their village, the children were unable to attend private kindergartens located outside their settlement.

Recognissing this gap, UPLIFT, an NGO under the BAC Education Group, initiated a fundraising campaign to establish a kindergarten within the community. The aim was not only to provide these young children with the opportunity to receive quality education but also to create a foundation that would empower the community through learning.

Collaboration and Community Effort

The effort saw an overwhelming response from key partners. MMA Wilayah, a long-standing community development partner of the BAC Education Group, took a keen interest in the cause and pledged RM 9,500 to support the kindergarten’s establishment. Their generous contribution, combined with the efforts of UPLIFT and SUKA Society, made the dream of a village-based kindergarten a reality.

On the day of the setup, a team of volunteers gathered to transform the Community Centre of Kg. Serigala into a functional and child-friendly learning space. Volunteers worked diligently to assemble furniture, lay down linoleum carpets and arrange cupboards, books, stationery and other essential materials. They ensured that the space was ready for the children’s use when school resumed on 21st March 2022.

Creating a Holistic Learning Environment

The volunteers also addressed the practical needs of the center, such as installing a kitchen with a stove and ensuring the water supply was functional. These efforts provided a safe and conducive environment for the children to learn, play and grow.

In addition to the physical setup, the kindergarten project symbolised a step towards reducing educational inequality by creating access where it previously did not exist. By offering a free, locally based kindergarten, the children of Kg. Serigala now have the opportunity to develop essential literacy and numeracy skills that will prepare them for primary education.

A Collaborative Path Forward

The success of this initiative highlights the importance of community collaboration and the power of education in transforming lives. UPLIFT, alongside its partners, plans to continue supporting the kindergarten through additional resources, teacher training and ongoing community involvement to ensure the long-term sustainability of the project.

The setup of the kindergarten at Kg. Serigala represents more than just an educational milestone. It is a testament to the impact that focused community development efforts can have on marginalised populations. By investing in the education of the Orang Asli children, UPLIFT and its partners are helping to break the cycle of poverty and provide these children with the tools they need to succeed.

This project exemplifies how grassroots initiatives, supported by NGOs, medical professionals and volunteers, can bring about tangible and lasting change. The kindergarten at Kg. Serigala is a beacon of hope for the Orang Asli community, offering a brighter future for its youngest members.