Muslim community in Cambodia are facing many problems like isolation, poverty and lacking in many aspects such as proper education, water and electricity supply. Muslims are the highest in illiteracy and unemployment rates due to lack of competenciness and marketable skills. Thus, education is seen as the only long term solution for the problems. As an international educational institution, we are called to assist them with some academic benefits in order to uplift the standard of education in the mentioned community.
Centre for Foundation Studies (CFS), International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) through Centre for University Social Responsibility (USR) (CENSERVE), IIUM, has coordinated many community service programmes conducted by the students from residential colleges (Mahallat), associations and clubs. These include the annual community service programmes internationally and locally organized by Inter Mahallah Representative Committee (MRC), CFS IIUM.
From 2009, we have served an Islamic school, Madrasah Dar al-Uloom in Poi Pet, Siem Reap, Cambodia with our USR programmes and we had finished the construction of a library during our last visit in May 2012. There were 200 students and staffs involved from the beginning of the project, resulting in the Ibnu Khaldun Library with IIUM crest embedded on it.
This year, a consensus has been achieved based on a site visit conducted from 6-9 October 2012 to continue our international community service programme at a Muslim village named Kilo 7 Village, Steug Trong, Kampong Cham, Cambodia. Currently, the local Muslim community there is in process to complete their school complex to provide proper and standard educational facilities for the need of about 500 Muslim children. From the visit, we were informed that the village has never been assisted by any Muslim organization before. This could be due to the geographical aspects that hinder outsiders to come there. The journey takes at least 5 hours of bus ride from the city. In view of these, we have decided to assist them in relation to what they really need most, especially in educational aspect.
We plan to build a resource or educational centre by generating some fund to complete the centre and the school complex. It's hoped that the infrastructures will facilitate the establishment of an new educational and community centre that could benefit them in seeking knowledge and life-long learning.
In addition of that, we will also conduct motivational activities for the local students aiming to inculcate the spirit of learning and quest for knowledge.
On behalf of the community of CFS IIUM, we invite all Muslims, especially Malaysians, to concertedly contribute in any form possible, especially in the effort to gain funding for the project.
About the Programme
The programme had been proposed by Mahallah Abu Bakar Representative Committee (MAB MRC) (Petaling Jaya Campus) as the host and had been approved by the Rector of IIUM, Professor Dato' Sri Dr. Zaleha Kamaruddin, on 12 December 2012 with the budget more than Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) 100,000 from the University, expected organizations and individuals.
The programme aimed to assist Muslims in constructing an educational resource centre, named Stueng Trang Educational Centre (in suggestion), in term of finance. It expected to be completed on June 2013.
The programme will be conducted on 6-11 June 2013 at Kilo 7 Village, Steug Trong, Kampong Cham, Cambodia.
Objective
- To generate funding for the construction of resource centre in Kilo 7 Village.
- To help the Muslim Community in Cambodia academically.
- To equip students with various soft skills required for leaders in dealing with the people globally.
- To equip student leaders with the spirit of perseverance and diligence by providing hands-on experience.
