Girl brings friends to see colourful Sarawak

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Aziza and her friends with children of PDK Piasau.

Aziza and her friends with children of PDK Piasau.

MIRI: Hometown girl Aziza Aznizan aims to promote local culture and happenings to 13 of her varsity mates during the ‘Borneo Summer Project 2015’.

The 19-year-old student of United World College (UWC) of the Atlantic, UK, said the project was her own idea aimed at gathering members of the international coalition, ‘Paint The World’ (PTW), for a community-oriented expedition.

“This is the first time that I brought friends from the university here. Some are from Kuching, Selangor and Terengganu, while others are from Costa Rica, Japan, the Netherlands, Georgia, Sweden, United Kingdom and Poland.

“I want them to experience all the different cultures and traditions here,” said Aziza, who is also PTW Malaysia founder.

Lika (eighth right) accepting a memento from a representative of SMK Chung Hua Miri – Aziza’s alma mater.

Lika (eighth right) accepting a memento from a representative of SMK Chung Hua Miri – Aziza’s alma mater.

According to her, the summer projects kicked off on June 3, shortly after their arrival at Kuching International Airport on May 31.

“The objective is simple. We want to make PTW Malaysia an organisation that is well-known to the people especially youths. We also want to encourage the younger people to join us in working together towards promoting peace and equality for all – all for a better Malaysia,” she said.

Aziza said she was inspired to set up PTW here early last year after her friend Lika Torikashvilli had successfully founded PTW Georgia in Tbilisi, back in 2012.

“I met Lika at the UWC and there, the idea to form PTW Malaysia grew. I’m so happy that Lika is here for the Borneo Summer Project with the rest of us.”

Aziza’s team also visits the Sarawak Society for the Blind in Kuching.

Aziza’s team also visits the Sarawak Society for the Blind in Kuching.

In Kuching, Aziza said they visited Kampung Muara Tebas as well as Rumah Seri Kenangan Kota Samarahan, where they distributed balloons and goodies to the old folk.

“Some of us also brought along guitars, so we got to entertain the residents there and also got them to sing and dance along with us.

“It was a happy, but emotional, trip for us. We got teary-eyed when the old folk shared their personal stories with us. Still, we were happy to have done a small part in cheering them up with our guitar and songs,” she said.

Aziza also mentioned about their courtesy call on Assistant Minister of Youth Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah on June 11 to brief him about the plan to hold the ‘Paint the World Open Games 2015’ at Miri Indoor Stadium this Aug 1.

“We are targeting 1,000 youths from across the country to take part in the event,” she said.

The PTW delegation barely had any rest upon their arrival here last week after their Kuching outing.

“We held an open day at Bintang Megamall Miri, which was a success.

“We also visited my former school, SMK Chung Hua Miri where we took the opportunity to introduce the organisation to the students,” she said, adding that they also went to Curtin University of Technology Sarawak in Senadin for another ‘PTW Open Day’.

“At Curtin Sarawak, we managed to recruit several students to join PTW Malaysia. After that, we went to Kompleks Hamidah Orphanage in Permyjaya. We had lots of fun with the children there.”

Aziza (front row, third left) with her UWC mates upon their arrival at Kuching International Airport.

Aziza (front row, third left) with her UWC mates upon their arrival at Kuching International Airport.

Several days later, the group visited the Piasau Camp Community-based Rehabilitation Centre (PDK) where they entertained the children with some songs and dancing, as well as treated them to some food and drinks.

“Overall, I believe my Borneo Summer Project 2015 has been a success. All my 13 friends seem to enjoy themselves, having not only soaked the local culture but also having the opportunity to be involved in some community programmes.

“They also seem to love the local food, especially satay and laksa. Most importantly, they are touched by the hospitality received throughout their stay here and in Kuching.

“All of us are honoured and blessed to be given the the opportunity to visit the PDK centres and the old folks homes. This experience further reinforces PTW’s aim, which is to bring joy and ‘colour’ into people’s lives regardless of race, religion, background or social standing,” said Aziza.

 

Group members gather for a group photo after attending a conference at Wisma Baitul Makmur.

Group members gather for a group photo after attending a conference at Wisma Baitul Makmur.