Attendance in rural schools, especially amongst the Orang Asli,is a problem. Rain, hours of darkness at the beginning of the day, the need to travel one or two miles without motorized transport are all disincentives.

For this reason Ecomalaysia has embarked on an initiative to supply rural schools in the Pekan district with bicycles. These bicycles will be awarded to year 4,5, and 6 pupils in the primary sector. The granting of a bicycle will be dependent on an improved attendance rate and progress in English language. Initially it is planned to supply 30 bicycles but this could be an ongoing initiative.

Ecomalaysias’ fund raising is being supported by Garden International School in Kuantan and Kuala Lumpur. Our sponsors to date are Brighton Educational Services under Mr Chris Bell, and Taylors Educational Group under Mr. Michael Teo. With thanks also to Mrs Linda Hurley at Garden School for her hard work in this programme.