Triggering the Ripple effects for the Orang Asli Community.

Jump to Comments

It is very easy for us to have read about the plight of the Orang Asli community and pass it off as a good story. It is even easier for us to forget about them after reading these stories until another one surfaces. The questions of “How do we help them?” or “Where do we begin?” will always overwhelm us to the extent where we just want to hide in our blissful world. We are after all, limited creatures and cannot foresee ourselves carrying such a heavy burden- especially if we feel that we are carrying it alone.

I do not claim to provide fool-proof answers to a complex and multi-faceted problem that the Orang Asli community is facing. But perhaps, we may see glimpses of light to what we can do for them if we pool our resources, time and talents together. After all, tiny agents of change; become a force to be reckoned with; when hands and hearts are joined.

To the writers, whether you are professionally trained or not- write about them. Write about the problems that these Orang Asli face, write about ways that you think can help them and spur the people around you to think along the same lines. Publish your writings in newspapers, magazines and even in blogs.

To the ones who read, heighten your awareness towards these people and their plight. Ask for more information from the ones who have and are working closely with them. Spread this information to your community. If you were in positions of influence, whether in your school, college, university or workplace; organize awareness campaigns, dialogues and conferences about them.

To the sociologists and the linguists, conduct researches on their culture, heritage, craft and language; and write journals about these findings. To the designers, artists and photographers- tell their stories by holding art and photo exhibitions that depict their lives. Help them preserve their arts and culture through the displays of art products made by them and incorporate their designs into yours as well.

To the lawyers- give your legal advice and expertise for free or a minimal charge. The Orang Asli needs professional help every time they are in legal disputes over land ownerships, but they cannot afford to hire a lawyer to defend them. The Orang Asli community will no longer be easy preys to scams and fraudulent contracts if a formidable team of lawyers would protect them with their expertise.

To the teachers- what better way to help the Orang Asli community than to teach them- not only the ABCs, but also to dream and to have ambitions of their own? The need for qualified teachers who are willing to teach in rural areas is perhaps, the greatest among all other professions. You will never know whose life you have changed because of your love and dedication for them.

To the medical doctors, the Orang Asli community is vulnerable to various diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria fever and in some remote areas, leprosy. Their children and would-be mothers are easily malnourished and in need of nutritional supplements. But, the nearest clinic or hospital is usually situated far from their villages. They have no other access to medicine or medical aid. Will not the doctors and nurses bring their mobile clinics over and treat the sick, feed the hungry and dress their infected wounds?

To the rest of us who may think that we are “too much a layperson” and are no significant help to the Orang Asli community, well; we may be wrong. The Orang Asli community is not immune from excessive gambling, alcoholism and addiction to smoking. They need jobs that can give them enough income to feed their families. They need employers who will protect them from being exploited. They need to be taught how much their crops are worth in the market so that they would not be cheated of their hard labour.

We can be a member of a think-tank organization. We can share ideas, resources and business plans with government agencies and spur the Orang Asli community to start their own businesses. In a nutshell, each of us has a role to play.

Don’t get me wrong. I do not think that the Orang Asli community needs to be civilized by us- the seemingly more advanced city dwellers. It is not about building toilets and brick houses for them, and consider them ‘a developed community’. Mere annual visits to their villages will not bring us closer to them. We need a holistic approach when it comes to helping them rebuild lives- focusing on job training and education, instead of just giving them money and rice. It is in fact, about rebuilding a community and redeeming a sense of dignity for them. There should be no less a goal than that.

However, we are no superheroes. Change will not happen overnight, and some of us may not even live to see significant changes in these Orang Asli’s lives. Yet, we should not be weakened by the thoughts of futility and failures that we may have to face when we help them.

For every drop of sweat and blood that we pour out- to help the weak, the poor and the oppressed tells a great story of humanity and love. Now, isn’t that a wonderful story to tell?

Read about the plight of the Orang Asli community

1 Comment

Filed under Almost critical thinking, Conversations, Issues that demand attention