Reaching Out the Service to the Village Community

Date: 21^st October, 2007
Place: Kampung Bengoh
Event: World Lions Service Day

The Lions Clubs International is the largest charitable organisation in the world with establishments in 202 countries, where Laos is the latest country on the list to carry the motto: "We Serve." Every year, a day, normally a Sunday, is marked as the "World Lions Service Day" when all Lions Clubs around the world go out to provide service to the community.

Kampung Bengoh has been selected as the village community for the Lions Clubs in Region 1 of District 308-A2 to carry out this duty. As a member of the New Century Lions Club of Kuching Emerald under Region 1, I was assigned to bring the used clothing to be distributed to the village folks. Our club members also prepared the proclamation documents for the "World Lions Service Day" and we also donated a personal computer system to the primary school there.

Early in the morning, our club members assembled at a coffee shop to have breakfast before we drove up to the village. The village is slightly more than 40 km from Kuching and it took us about 45 minutes to reach the community hall at the village.

Kampung Bengoh lies beneath the foothill of a highland resort.

A stream passes through the village that connects to the main river, Sungai Sarawak (Sarawak River).

After we unloaded the used clothing and the computer at the community hall for the handing-over ceremony, we went across a Bailey bridge to reach the school where various types of service were provided to the village folks.

The Bailey bridge connecting the two parts of the village across the stream.

All the service that the Lions Clubs were providing were carried out the primary school of Kampung Bengoh. Blocks of classrooms were used to set up all the service stations.

A block of classrooms used for the service.

Quite a number of Leos from the Leo Clubs in Kuching were also there to help up at the information counter.

Leos and Lions at work.

A colouring contest for the school children was organised by one of the Lions Clubs. Health screening was amongst the service that the Region 1 Lions Clubs provided to the village community.

School children working at the colouring contest.

Health screening station.

During the opening ceremony, the guest-of-honour for the day was the District Governor of 308-A2 Lions Clubs, Dr George A. Kunjan who flew all the way from Kota Kinabalu. The member of parliament for this area, Dr. Jerip Susel, was also present to appreciate the presence of the Lions in the village to extend the service. A proclamation for the "World Lions Service Day" was also signed by all the club presidents to mark the clubs' presence in the day dedicated to the motto: "We Serve."

The member of parliament giving out pieces of appreciation and advice.

All the club presidents lining up to sign the proclamation.

After all the duties assigned to our club were carried out seamlessly, we started our exploration of the beautiful village sets beside the hills and a stream. One of our club members tried to bring us to the suspension bridge that he had been to once, but we ended up in 'Holland' several times. Fortunately, we bumped into two villagers who were bringing some materials to build their chicken farm and they led us the way.

We finally left 'Holland!'

Let me mark my presence on the suspension bridge. My attire blends in well with the environment!

The bridge connects several villages deep in the jungle to the outside world.

The suspension bridge offers spectacular view of the river bend.

The suspension bridge also offers unforgettable view of the green foliage of the rain forest.