DONGLAI revisited

This isn't my first visit here, in fact have been paying this place a visit almost twice annually..

But this time around I came here with a different purpose, and what I gained from this experience was surprisingly different as well.. it was like dark chocolate... more enriching... :)

Was assigned to a feature writing assignment on Poverty.

Hence I've decided to base my research on the Orang Asli group in Ulu Langat.

As we've reached the kampung, the hall was locked (forgotten why), so we couldn't go in at the moment. While Mark lingered around with the kids, me and my group mate decided to start interviewing the kids while killing time.

From our in-depth interview, we found out that most of them actually do not go to school, but help their parents instead with work..

This other girl Maria is only 9, yet she has to take care of her 2 year-old sister when her parents go to work. She even brought us to her house.. and I was pretty much astonished....

So used to the proper hall.. I wasn't expecting such a barren, filthy environment.

The lil baby initially was sleeping on the floor at the side of the door. She awoke once we came by, and Maria picked her up instantly.

Took some random shots in between interviews..

This other lady, is actually carrying her 10th child! and they are all BOYS. ( the horror . haa)

And her husband who is the sole income provider for the family, only earns Rm100-200 a month! And much to my surprise, he said his income is sufficient for the family.. though it was also due to the fact that they do not save.

Rosaline, was the last lady we interviewed. You would have never guessed that she wasn't local ( orang asli) but she's acutally from KL.

Met her husband who was working in KL, got married, and followed him back here to the Orang Asli Settlement. When most of them would want to get down to town, and start a life there, she opted for the road less taken... apparently it was cz in Kl there were alot of thieves and "orang jahat" she said. hahaaha.

This was surely the most enriching DongLai visitation for me...

It was an eye-opener about their lives la.

So next time, when you guys are on duty for DongLai.. do talk to them.. you'll be surprised with how much they have to tell you =)

this boy hanging on to the van's window as we left..

Thus we concluded our trip with a great experience while exchanging ghost stories in the van on the way back =P