Iskul

Tag: Pondok Iskul

  • Pondok Iskul Dream Made Possible with Mah Sing Foundation Grant!

    After submission of application in September, Iskul received notification of approval from Mah Sing Foundation for our application for funds to construct Pondok Iskul. Mah Sing Foundation had allocated RM 50,000 fund for the construction and basic furnishing of the space!

    Iskul jumped into work immediately and kickstarted the purchasing of raw materials and recruitment of builders. The construction and the furnishing took a total of six (6) months. Classes commenced in the Pondok once the construction was completed in February and whilst the furnishing was in progress.

    Setting the foundation
    Side view: Skeletal of the Pondok Iskul
    View from the ground: Skeletal of the Pondok Iskul
    Inside of the Pondok Iskul with it’s plank wall erected
    The external view of the finished Pondok Iskul!

    At the moment, Pondok Iskul electricity is hosted by the nearby home of our Headmistress and the registration with the SESB is underway.

     

    Thank you, Mah Sing Foundation and all who have funded this dream!

  • Annual Field Visit & Induction with Iskul’s first Field Coordinator

    The management team made the second visit for the year represented by Ee Chia. The visit while it was in conjunction with attendance to the invitation to the UNHCR Roundtable on Bajau Laut in Sabah in Sandakan. The brief 5-day visit from 5 – 9 August was also critical to follow-up on permissions from District Officer and Ketua Kampung to build Pondok Iskul on Omadal Island.

    Dr Hj Chacho Bullah, Semporna District Officer has written a support letter for the construction of Pondok Iskul and recognising Iskul as a citizen initiative to provide basic education to the stateless Bajau Laut community residing at Omadal Island. The recognition provided us with the confidence to continue the project and injected a boost of faith that this initiative is a welcomed one. It was an important milestone marking the 2nd anniversary of Iskul.

    Besides the meeting with the District Officer, Ee Chia also took time to provide a brief induction with Iskul first Field Coordinator – Roza, observed classes and conducted meeting with Headmistress, Mastal Arikik and students to find out challenges they still faces.

    During this visit, it was also decided that a monthly allowance of RM 100 be provided to Headmistress, Pn Roziah for her management of Iskul operation base as well as a decision to increase the food budget from RM 1 per meal to RM 2 per meal for Iskul students.