Driven by the twin goals of catering to short-term basic needs and empowering the Penan to be self-sufficient in the long-run, our organisation has carried out a number of initiatives as follows:
– Handicraft Weaving & Marketing
– Education Sponsorship Programme
– Project Light
– Water Project
– Community Development
– Welfare for the Elderly and Sick
– Operation Milk Bottles
– Pandemic Relief Aid
Handicraft Weaving & Marketing
Arguably our most visible initiative, with beautifully woven craft having found their way to various corners of the globe, and being much sought after highlights at fairs and markets, as well as online. Our organisation helps them in colour combination, patterns and sizes, resulting in bags which are contemporary but with an unmistakeable Penan touch, fashionable, practical, and hence marketable for multiple uses and functions. Besides bags, we suggest to them and show them items like trays, boxes, baskets, etc for decorative and household uses. As most of the craft is made from PP (polypropylene) strips due to the scarcity of rattan and other natural materials, we also assist in sourcing and even transporting these PP (polypropylene) strips especially to weavers in more remote villages. And most of all, we help them sell their craft to a wider market which is beyond their reach. By buying direct from them, we cut out middlemen and consignees.
Despite the use of PP (polypropylene) strips, we are committed to encouraging and preserving traditional rattan weaving as well among the weavers in the villages.
The proceeds from the sale of craft is channelled back to our ongoing initiatives with Education Sponsorship being our main focus. We believe education is the only way to bring the whole tribe above the poverty line.
– For more on our handicraft, and how you can purchase, see here.
Education Sponsorship Programme
An ongoing programme, and a major focus of our work, the education sponsorship programme enables young Penan to pursue education up to tertiary level. Since the inception of this programme, we are glad to mention some of the achievers who have benefited from partial or full sponsorship by HHP:
Completed:
- 3 nursing students in SEGI College (Certificate in Nursing, 2016)
- Lonnie Jalung (Bachelor of Administrative Science, May 2016)
- Bernard Upieh (Masters in Social Science, April 2017); currently pursuing PhD in Universiti Malaysia Kelantan.
- Fecella Jane (Bachelors Degree in Applied Arts, UNIMAS, Kuching, June 2017)
- Dayang Ukau (Bachelors Degree in Human & Social Science, UKM, Bangi, Nov 2020)February 2021,
- Franklin George (Masters Degree, UNIMAS, Kuching); received 1st year tuition fee sponsorship
- 6 students (Certificate In Systems Information and Certificate in Graphic Design, PPKS, Miri)
- 1 student (Certificate in Hospitality, PPKS, KK)
- 3 students (Teachers Training College)
- 1 student (Certificate in Welding Level 4, Awirsa College)
- 1 student (Diploma in Technology Management, Kolej Technology Sarawak)
- 1 student (Bachelors Degree in Social Science, UKM Bangi, Feb 2021)
- 1 student (Diploma in Forestry Management, UPM Bintulu, June 2021)
Project Light
Helping Hands Penan fully lit up 8 Penan villages in Ulu Limbang and Upper Tutoh with the installation of solar lighting. While there have been subsequent requests from more Penan settlements, this initiative is on hold for now as we were informed that Sarawak Rural Development Board will be installing Mega Solar Panels in the villages.
Water Project
Completed clean water project in Lg. Ludin in Oct 2018 at a cost of RM20,000.
Community Development
- We had helped built a Home Stay in Long Lesuan.
- Donated to Lg Seridan fire victims.
- Bought chainsaws and rice milling machines for 4 villages.
- Fire relief and rebuilding project in Lg Sebayang and Lg Balau.
Welfare for the Elderly and Sick
We provide financial help to the old and sick who have to go to town to seek medical treatment, we donate food and expenses to the accompanying family members, and we pay transport cost and airfares for hospital reviews which cost hundreds of dollars. We have even helped to defray the cost of burying 3 of the elderly Penan who passed away in town, in Limbang.
Operation Milk Bottles
Under this feeding scheme, we buy milk powder for:
- Toddlers from 6 months – 5 years old.
- We have 10 elderly whom we supply ENSURE milk.
Pandemic Relief Aid
During the difficult Movement Control Order (MCO) period brought on by the pandemic, we managed to organise 3 rounds of food aid to our weavers and families, benefitting 80 families in 3 villages where most of our weavers come from.
