First ASEFUAN International Voluntary Service Work Camp
Ulu Tembeling, Malaysia, 1 – 17 July 2011
The ASEF University Alumni Network (ASEFUAN) is pleased to announce its Call for Participants to the First ASEFUAN International Voluntary Service Work Camp (ASEFUAN IVS 2011) 1-17 July 2011 Kampung Bukit Mat Daling, Ulu Tembeling, Malaysia.
What is ASEFUAN IVS?
ASEFUAN IVS is the newest project of ASEFUAN that allows its members to undertake voluntary service in a grassroots community in an ASEM country within the context of a work camp. It will bring together around 15 ASEFUANers who will live and work together on a local non-profit project for two weeks.
What are the purposes of this project?
ASEFUAN IVS is sought to create a unique sense of bonding and intercultural exchange among the participants much like that of ASEF University but in a community and work-based setting. The participants will engage in various work in the identified community within a social theme. It seeks to immerse ASEFUANers into pressing social concerns beyond the academic setting. ASEFUAN IVS is meant as a practical service after the rich theoretical inputs derived from the various ASEF Universities, as well as a sign of solidarity with local people.
In addition to this, the IVS 2011 participants will not only get to do voluntary service in a work camp, but also meet the newest batch of AU participants at the 17th ASEF University in Penang, Malaysia. This is the reason why the programme begins on 1 July, which is the last day of AU17, while the work camp itself will begin only on 13 July. This was specifically designed to allow the newest batch to meet not only the representatives from the ExCo, as has been the usual case, but a group of ASEF University graduates with whom they can interact and build ties.
In short, this project aims to serve the core purpose of ASEFUAN- to strengthen ties among the alumni of ASEF University- but through social community work.
Where is the work camp?
This year's work camp will be at Kampung Bukit Mat Daling, a remote village located in the upstream of Sungai Tembeling (River), Pahang not far from the Terengganu border of Malaysia. It consists of 100 houses with a population of 500.
Kampung Bukit Mat Daling is accessible only by boat (6-7 hours) along the river or by land via four-wheel drive, passing by indigenous people's villages in the forests. As the work camp will take place during the dry season, the team may need to push the boat through the rapids, drops and shallow water of the river.
The volunteers will stay with foster families pre-selected by the community leaders. Volunteers may also camp out by the river if they wish.
To learn more about Jampung Bukit Mat Daling, please check http://findarticles.com/p/news-articles/new-straits-times/mi_8016/is_20091101/village-badly-road/ai_n44458768/.
What kind of work will the volunteers be doing?
The work during the camp may be one of the following:
- Build a bridge between Bukit Mat Daling Village and Tanah Minda Village
The bridge is the lifeline and main route between the two villages, which would otherwise be inaccessible during the rainy season. Timber needed for construction will be harvested from the forest by the villages prior to the team's arrival. The team may have to buy construction materials and rent a truck to ferry the timber. Volunteers may also have to manually saw timber to make surface planks. - Carry out major repairs of houses in poor condition
This will include hard core manual labor to restore the houses of some single mothers and senior citizens in the village. Again, the timber will be harvested by the villages prior to the team's arrival. - Conduct English classes, children's activities and a Motivation Camp
This is an option for participants who do not wish to carry out physical labor. There is a nearby school and kindergarten where these activities can be organized. - Helping out foster family farming/gardening activities
Who are eligible to participate?
Only members of ASEFUAN are eligible to participate.
What is the cost for participation?
As of the moment, ASEFUAN can only cover part of the air fare of all accepted applicants. For participants who will be coming from Europe, the subsidy is 450 Euros, while participants who will be traveling from Asia will have a subsidy of 250 Euros. Local transport, accommodation and food will be provided by the organizers.
Who are the partners in this project?
This project is being co-organized with Service Civil International (SCI), Service Civil International Malaysia (SCI Malaysia) and Yayasan Salam Malaysia. Other active partners are the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Rakan Muda, Ministry of Youth and Sports Malaysia, International College of Allied Science and Nursing (ICAN) [who will provide medical assistance to the volunteers], JKKK Kampung Bukit Mat Daling and our official media partner, Media Prima Bhd. This project is being organized with the support of Asia-Europe Foundation.
How can I apply?
To apply, please fill out the Application Form (DOC, 1.53MB) and send to ivs2011@asefuan.org with subject "Application: ASEFUAN IVS 2011".
When is the deadline for application?
The deadline is 20 MAY 2011. Late submissions will not be accepted.