Johor Bahru, 4 May 2024 – On the 4th of May, a group of 20 children in Johor Bahru had an unforgettable experience at the ‚Program Keajaiban Rumput Laut‘ organized by the Language Academy at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) in collaboration with two local NGOs – the Kelab Alami Nature and Heritage Centre and Kios Mari Membaca. These organizations have been working together to provide underprivileged children with access to education that they may not have otherwise. The half-day outdoor program took place at the Kios Mari Membaca in Kampung Dato Sulaiman Menteri, the only library kiosk at a playground ever built in Malaysia.
The main objective of the Program Keajaiban Rumput Laut was to educate the youth of the community about seagrass through storytelling. The area near their kampung is home to a significant seagrass meadow, accessible via a nearby river. The children were engaged through the narration of ‚Adam’s Seagrass Adventure!‘, a children’s book written by Dr. Nur’ain Balqis Haladin and a team of lecturers from the Language Academy. Ten language instructors from the academy were involved in storytelling and other planned activities for the day.
During the program, three main activities were conducted for the children. The first activity involved storytelling with the use of props to bring the story to life. The second activity required the children to visit different booths where they had to explain various aspects of the seagrass ecosystem, such as photosynthesis, marine animals, and threats faced by seagrass and marine life. Dr. Serina Rahman, a lecturer at the National University of Singapore and co-founder of Kelab Alami Nature and Heritage Centre, also showcased specimens and herbariums from the seagrass ecosystem. The children were encouraged to participate, with prizes awarded to those who provided correct answers.
The program concluded with a closing speech by Mr. Mohd. Ibrahim, one of the founders of Kios Mari Membaca, who highlighted the importance of providing books to underprivileged children in Kampung Dato Sulaiman Menteri. The Language Academy also donated copies of ‚Adam’s Seagrass Adventure!‘ to the kiosk. The children expressed positive feedback about the activities and hoped for more similar programs in the future.
Overall, the Program Keajaiban Rumput Laut was a success in educating children about the importance of seagrass ecosystems and marine conservation. It not only provided valuable knowledge but also fostered a sense of community engagement and environmental awareness among the participants. The collaboration between the Language Academy, Kelab Alami Nature and Heritage Centre, and Kios Mari Membaca exemplifies the power of partnerships in creating meaningful educational experiences for underprivileged children.