Reaching out to preschoolers in remotest Malaysia31-08-2008 The ancient jungle of Endau-Rompin National Park, deep in Peninsular Malaysia, is home to rare species of birds, butterflies and rhinoceros, as well as a diverse range of plant life. It is also the traditional home of the Orang Asli, or 'original people', the indigenous inhabitants of Malaysia.
he village of Kampung Peta is the most remote Orang Asli settlement in the southern state of Johor. Its residents, however, mostly ethnic Jakun, do not live in complete isolation. Tourists regularly visit, and the government has helped provide the villagers with a community centre, a large primary school and a library. A desire to learn Tinah binti Jala grew up in Peta and now works as a teacher in the only village pre-school. She says that a sense of distance -- both physical and cultural -- has kept many Jakun children from attending school. Together with UNICEF and its corporate partner ING, Malaysia's Ministry of Rural and Regional Development is working to improve Malaysian children's opportunities for education, starting in pre-school. To read the full story, visit:http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/malaysia_44687.html
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