Sunday, January 19, 2020
Tuesday, December 24, 2019
ONWARDS TO 2020 AND BEYOND
Monday, 23 December 2019
Another year and 2020 next: Update
It has been exactly a year since my last blog entry on Dec 23, 2018. Have not updated the many things that have happen over the year. Better later than never - time to document and reflect on the progress made in 2019.
A highlight in 2019 was the visit by YAB Dr A XAVIER JAYAKUMAR, Minister of Water, Land and Natural Resources. The CheWong Resource Room that we have been trying to equip became a new focus.The visit was viewed with a pilot internet connection from a webcam installed in the room. Our internet sponsor has created a blog. More about the work at Elephant Centre can be read from the link: https://dleapkualagandah.blogspot.com/2019/07/minister-yab-dr-xavier-visits-kuala.html.
One significant outcome of this visit led to dLEAP being nominated for the Star Golden Hearts Award 2019 (SGHA) - the SGHA is an annual award by The Star and Yayasan Gamuda to celebrate Malaysians who demonstrate extraordinary commitment to community/social work. dLEAPproject made it to the semi-final which is an achievement in its own right.
In October the volunteers organised an event to decorate the door of the CheWong resources room. Color palm prints by kids and volunteers created a new playful atmosphere to the room. This year a kid who have been us for 5 years (in the picture below) will be taking her leaving school certificate (SPM). Over the last month she received support and tuition from our volunteer teacher. A scholarship is lined up for her by another volunteer to pursue her future study.
While making good progress in 2019 there are new challenges in 2020. We need to make the resource room easily accessible for learning resource as destinated.That will require some effort from all parties - kids, parents, volunteers and staff of Elephant Centre. Wish us luck.This accessibility issue when resolved can help us to get the children to learn new things - drone flying , robotic, coding to STEAM education.
Thirdly we need to outreach to growing kids who lives in the deep jungle with their families. Exploration of portable solar panel is underway to make the XO laptop functional. If we can continue to nurture this current group of kids to support off the grid deployment, the chance of success is higher.
In November 16 this year a group of volunteers attended the SLRC musical concert. This end of the year program was memorable. We saw the kids having fun,witnessed by family members, teachers, members of the SLRC board, etc.
In 2019 dLEAP has expanded to Kuching, Sarawak. Collaboration with Dr. Cheah from UNIMAS who now have access to twenty XO4 from OLPC Asia is bearing some fuits. A recent visit was made to support his new deployment.University volunteers were exposed and trained to conduct deployments. We are looking forward to Sawarak as it has a large rural children population and potential to benefit from dLEAP if done right.
1. CheWong Kuala Gandah (EC) Deployment
We have come a long way with this group of children. - from piloting XO play sessions to complete XO laptop ownership over the years. Each participating children is given his/her own XO laptop in 2017 to take home. In 2019, we wanted to know if the XOs were well utilised and its physical condition after 2 years of ownership. The kids are maturing and circumstances have change our expectations. For example we are losing contact with the boys in our group. Some have to follow their parents into the jungle. Girls are our majority paticipants now. Recently, one new boy joined our group. He received a recycled XO and was able to learn how to replace its broken screen..One significant outcome of this visit led to dLEAP being nominated for the Star Golden Hearts Award 2019 (SGHA) - the SGHA is an annual award by The Star and Yayasan Gamuda to celebrate Malaysians who demonstrate extraordinary commitment to community/social work. dLEAPproject made it to the semi-final which is an achievement in its own right.
In October the volunteers organised an event to decorate the door of the CheWong resources room. Color palm prints by kids and volunteers created a new playful atmosphere to the room. This year a kid who have been us for 5 years (in the picture below) will be taking her leaving school certificate (SPM). Over the last month she received support and tuition from our volunteer teacher. A scholarship is lined up for her by another volunteer to pursue her future study.
Thirdly we need to outreach to growing kids who lives in the deep jungle with their families. Exploration of portable solar panel is underway to make the XO laptop functional. If we can continue to nurture this current group of kids to support off the grid deployment, the chance of success is higher.
2. Solid Rock Learning Centre (SLRC), Melaka
Very little has been written about his deployment in Melaka but work has been ongoing for at least 4 years now. SLRC is operated byAgapeCare, a NGO in historical Melaka where the first basecamp2013@Melaka was held. They support children who are disadvantage with educational programs by paid and volunteer staff. Students benefiting are from diverse background - some are indigenous Malaysian, kids of poor families to refugee kids from Mynamar.
dLEAP with SLRC kickstarted with 10 new XO4 donated by my classmates. Today it has 20 XO4 and 20 XO-1 which makes this the current largest deployment in Malaysia after the first Malaysia SEMOA deployment in Raub in 2014.
In November 16 this year a group of volunteers attended the SLRC musical concert. This end of the year program was memorable. We saw the kids having fun,witnessed by family members, teachers, members of the SLRC board, etc.
3. New deployment in Kuching, Sarawak
In 2019 dLEAP has expanded to Kuching, Sarawak. Collaboration with Dr. Cheah from UNIMAS who now have access to twenty XO4 from OLPC Asia is bearing some fuits. A recent visit was made to support his new deployment.University volunteers were exposed and trained to conduct deployments. We are looking forward to Sawarak as it has a large rural children population and potential to benefit from dLEAP if done right.
2020 and Beyond
We have come a long way, we will suceed however small our impact can have on children, organisations or volunteers. Laying the seeds and getting it right progressively is crucial. Now with years of accumulated experience from various deployments, we trust things can grow organically into sustainable impact over time. From our very first deployment in 2014 we confirmed that adult champions who believes children with technology can learn by themselves or peers are invaluable for dLEAP. Putting children first and easy to access to right tools for joyful learning is however not easy as adults have different demands on how education should be conducted.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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Sunday, October 20, 2019
KUALA GANDAH ELEPHANT SANTUARY
image: https://www.star2.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/str2_cczgogandah_LEAD1_chester-770x470.jpg
The Kuala Gandah Elephant Conservation Centre provides close interaction between visitors and elephants under the close supervision of mahouts. Photos: The Star
MALAYSIAWhat to do at the Kuala Gandah Elephant Conservation Centre in Pahang
Established in 1989, the Kuala Gandah Elephant Conservation Centre in Pahang, which lies within the Krau Wildlife Reserve, is the only one of its kind in Malaysia.
The centre has been locating, subduing and then translocating elephants whose habitats have been encroached by development.
Over the past three decades, more than 700 wild elephants have been successfully relocated to more suitable venues such as Taman Negara. Many orphaned elephants are also raised and given shelter here.
The centre is open to visitors throughout the year and conducts public awareness activities.
Why you should go
The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry’s website stated that there are fewer than 1,200 wild elephants roaming in Peninsular Malaysia. Protecting these gentle giants are crucial to prevent them from being pushed to the brink of extinction.
One of the ways the public can help with the elephant conservation initiative is to learn and understand the hard work that goes into protecting the animal. Participating in the awareness programme here should give visitors a clearer sense of the importance of the species and habitat protection.
image: http://www1.star2.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/str2_cczgogandah_2_chester.jpg
Visitors enjoying their time in the river with a baby elephant during a bathing session.
What to do
A variety of activities are lined up for visitors from 10.30am onwards. Prior to visiting, it’s a good idea to refer to the visitor timetable available online.
In the morning, do some elephant observation along the interpretive trail. Many of the young elephants roam freely in certain compounds during the day. You’re also encouraged to watch a documentary on elephant translocation activity that was filmed in collaboration with National Geographic.
Elephant visits take place in the afternoon and visitors will be able to get up close with the animals under close supervision of the mahouts. There, conservation talks at an interpretive stage will be held later in the day that introduces the background and abilities of some of the trained resident elephants.
After the talk, there’s usually a chance for visitors to feed the elephants. Visitors are encouraged to contact the centre to facilitate arrangements if you are coming in a big group.
image: http://www1.star2.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/str2_cczgogandah_3_chester.jpg
Theres also a chance to feed the elephants at the centre.
Who will like it
Families with children should make a stop at the centre. The close interaction with elephants will certainly leave a lasting impression on the young ones. For those travelling along the East Coast Expressway, the sanctuary is a worthy stopover before you continue your journey.
Those curious about nature conservation work might also benefit from interacting with the elephants as well as chatting with the friendly staff that work here.
Getting there
The centre is located about 15km from Lanchang town within the Temerloh district in Pahang. It’s about a two-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur. Ample parking facilities are available here.
Kuala Gandah Elephant Conservation Centre
Address: Kuala Gandah, 28500, Lanchang, Pahang
Tel: 013-908 8207
Website: www.nre.gov.my
Opening hours: 10.30am to 4pm
Tel: 013-908 8207
Website: www.nre.gov.my
Opening hours: 10.30am to 4pm
Read more at https://www.star2.com/travel/2018/06/25/kuala-gandah-elephant-conservation-pahang/#WXZTrkfiJTS1g60z.99
Friday, October 4, 2019
PAINTING AND LEAVING HANDPRINTS ON RESOURCE ROOM DOOR
This morning we decorated up the resource room door by placing hand prints on the door by CheWong children.
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
dLEAP PROJECT NOMINATED FOR STAR AWARD 2019
Recently, the dLeap project at Kuala Gandah, has been nominated as one of the projects by Star Award 2019.
This project reached the semifinals of this award.
Good to see the project was recognised as a nominee of Star Award 2019.
This project reached the semifinals of this award.
Good to see the project was recognised as a nominee of Star Award 2019.
Saturday, September 7, 2019
WORLD ELEPHANT DAY CELEBRATED IN KUALA GANDAH
World Elephant Day was celebrated in Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary yesterday.
Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar said that the RM20 million sanctuary, on an area spanning 100ha, will be the third of its kind after the Sungai Deka Elephant Sanctuary in Hulu Terengganu, Terengganu and the Kampung Panti Elephant Sanctuary in Kota Tinggi, Johor. -
T.N. Alagesh
By T.N. Alagesh
September 7, 2019 @ 5:19pm
TEMERLOH: The government will construct an elephant sanctuary in Aman Jaya, Perak, to mitigate the rise in human-pachyderm conflicts.
Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar said that the RM20 million sanctuary, on an area spanning 100ha, will be the third of its kind after the Sungai Deka Elephant Sanctuary in Hulu Terengganu, Terengganu and the Kampung Panti Elephant Sanctuary in Kota Tinggi, Johor.
He said that the country requires another such facility – which will be built under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) – to reduce incidents of elephants encroaching into villages and plantations and negatively affecting the lives of human residents.
“Elephants (which encroach into human settlements) will be caught and released into the sanctuary.
“The exact number of elephants which can be housed at the sanctuary has not been finalised yet, however,” he added.
Xavier said the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) has introduced various programmes to minimise human-elephant conflicts, including installing electric fences to prevent the mammals from straying into human settlements.
“These programmes have helped reduce losses from human-elephant conflicts by 44 per cent between 2015 and 2018," he told reporters at the World Elephant Day celebration at the Kuala Gandah Elephant Conservation Centre in Lanchang here, today.
Xavier added that setting up the sanctuary is also vital to reversing the drop in the population of wild elephants in Peninsular Malaysia, which is estimated to be around 2,000. There are about 2,500 elephants in Sabah and Sarawak.
He said that Perhilitan has executed various measures to help tackle the threats faced by pachyderms in country.
"These include increasing patrols to deter poachers from setting snare traps.
“We have also received support from some 2,000 policemen (who) work with Perhilitan rangers. They are equipped with firearms to instil fear in poachers," he added.
Xavier said that the sanctuary would also allow volunteers to participate in various activities to gain hands-on working experience with rescued elephants.
"It would be a great opportunity for all wildlife enthusiasts to work on a short-time basis for the conservation of elephants.
“(The sanctuary) would also expose young children to the animals, the threats they face and the efforts put into protecting them," he added.
At the celebration today, award-winning actress Maya Karin was appointed "The Voice of Wildlife" to assist the ministry and Perhilitan in organising volunteer activities and spread information related to wildlife conservation.
Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar said that the RM20 million sanctuary, on an area spanning 100ha, will be the third of its kind after the Sungai Deka Elephant Sanctuary in Hulu Terengganu, Terengganu and the Kampung Panti Elephant Sanctuary in Kota Tinggi, Johor. -
T.N. Alagesh
By T.N. Alagesh
September 7, 2019 @ 5:19pm
TEMERLOH: The government will construct an elephant sanctuary in Aman Jaya, Perak, to mitigate the rise in human-pachyderm conflicts.
Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar said that the RM20 million sanctuary, on an area spanning 100ha, will be the third of its kind after the Sungai Deka Elephant Sanctuary in Hulu Terengganu, Terengganu and the Kampung Panti Elephant Sanctuary in Kota Tinggi, Johor.
He said that the country requires another such facility – which will be built under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) – to reduce incidents of elephants encroaching into villages and plantations and negatively affecting the lives of human residents.
“Elephants (which encroach into human settlements) will be caught and released into the sanctuary.
“The exact number of elephants which can be housed at the sanctuary has not been finalised yet, however,” he added.
Xavier said the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) has introduced various programmes to minimise human-elephant conflicts, including installing electric fences to prevent the mammals from straying into human settlements.
“These programmes have helped reduce losses from human-elephant conflicts by 44 per cent between 2015 and 2018," he told reporters at the World Elephant Day celebration at the Kuala Gandah Elephant Conservation Centre in Lanchang here, today.
Xavier added that setting up the sanctuary is also vital to reversing the drop in the population of wild elephants in Peninsular Malaysia, which is estimated to be around 2,000. There are about 2,500 elephants in Sabah and Sarawak.
He said that Perhilitan has executed various measures to help tackle the threats faced by pachyderms in country.
"These include increasing patrols to deter poachers from setting snare traps.
“We have also received support from some 2,000 policemen (who) work with Perhilitan rangers. They are equipped with firearms to instil fear in poachers," he added.
Xavier said that the sanctuary would also allow volunteers to participate in various activities to gain hands-on working experience with rescued elephants.
"It would be a great opportunity for all wildlife enthusiasts to work on a short-time basis for the conservation of elephants.
“(The sanctuary) would also expose young children to the animals, the threats they face and the efforts put into protecting them," he added.
At the celebration today, award-winning actress Maya Karin was appointed "The Voice of Wildlife" to assist the ministry and Perhilitan in organising volunteer activities and spread information related to wildlife conservation.
Thursday, August 22, 2019
ELEPHANTS RESCUED BY PERLIHATAN IN PAHANG
On August 20th. 2019, a herd of elephants including a calf were rescued.
They were trapped in a mud pool for about 2 to 3 days.
Perhilitan did a great work in cutting a slope for them to get out of the pool.
See this video at: #OperasiMenyelamat#Gajah
They were trapped in a mud pool for about 2 to 3 days.
Perhilitan did a great work in cutting a slope for them to get out of the pool.
See this video at: #OperasiMenyelamat#Gajah
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