The Orang Asli are the indigenous natives of Malaysia; are scattered in small isolated villages across the nation. Traditionally hunters and gatherers, the community have become more agricultural-centric; farming have become their chosen way of life. However, they farm mostly for themselves; and eke out simple lives below the national poverty line. Such a way of living does not generate much income, and this in turn leads so social and economic problems for the community.

Most importantly, lack of a sustainable and continuous income leads to their children not being able to attend school on a regular basis, hence continuing cycle of poverty and hopelessness for the community as a whole.

This project aims to develop the Orang Asli, Kensiu community of Semang Negrito in Kedah. They are often neglected by the society, faces social problems, lack educational awareness and experience unstable economic conditions.

Therefore, Enactus UUM identified their problems and their needs to improve the standard and quality of living through education and entrepreneurship. The focus of this project is on the native women, children and the new entrepreneurs of the Kensiu community.

The Enactus UUM team introduced the Women Empowerment Module (WEM) to improve the health and hygiene of the women in the tribe. The women attend the medical camp that teaches them the importance of hygiene and how to maintain hygiene in their homes.

They were also taught to practice proper grooming that increased their self-esteem. The students first collected clothing via a donation drive and then conducted a beauty camp where the native women participated in a fashion show. The women enjoyed the change of style and took care of their image and hygiene better after the fashion show.

The New Entrepreneur Start-Up (NEST) within the HOME project was catered to train new entrepreneurs from the Kensiu community. The Enactus UUM students saw the potential in 3 natives and taught them how to run a chicken breeding business.

From the business, the new entrepreneurs generated a total of RM 5040 annually in their chicken rearing business. The students also assisted the native women to produce Kabu-kabu pillows made from cotton harvest nearby the village. From the business, the women entrepeneurs generated total revenue of RM 988 from the first batch of pillow-selling business.

Due to the low interest in education from the Kensiu children, Inducement Education Module (IEM) was introduced by the Enactus UUM team to promote a fun learning method through Step by Step and Eco-Me module.

The children were taught basic Mathematics and English using fun methods prepared and endorsed by the lecturers of UUM. The Step by Step module has also been certified by JPN Kedah and is now adopted by the teachers in Sekolah Kebangsaan Siong, Baling. It also instills enthusiasm in education among the children of the tribe.

The Eco-Me taught the childrenthe importance of hygiene and how to recycle bottles in gardening.

(Source: Enactus Malaysia Magazine 2013)