Mentakab Feeding Program

On Wesak Day - Tuesday, 17/5/2011, Project MADE took a day trip to Mentakab, Pahang. The objective was to carry out The Mentakab Feeding Program personally. Mentakab Feeding Program is fully sponsored by The ECO Team.

We left PJ as early as 6:45am. The Monster Truck was loaded with food items - rice, wheat flour, meehoon, salt, sugar, oil sardines, milk powder, bread, cream rolls, cream cakes, sweets, toys and clothing items for the Folks under The Mentakab Feeding Program.

There are 20 families under The Mentakab Feeding Program. They are spread far and wide in Mentakab, Temerloh, Jerantut, Jengka and Karak.

Check out these photos:

In my line of work I have seen many things. I "thought" I have seen poverty but what I saw and heard from these families took me by surprise. Most of the families we visited are actually nothing more but modern day slaves! They work in the palm oil estates. They are beholden to the estates.

Most of them owe the estates they work in - thousands of ringgit. Just like you I was quick to prosecute!! But...the workers are forced to spend their salary at the estate's sundry shop for their grocery shopping and their salary is automatically deducted. They are charged exhorbitant prices for usual items like rice etc. These folks have no choice since their salary is not paid in cash. At the end of every month they take back only about RM100 after deductions for various expanses. Hence, every month, they are forever in debt. For them to leave the estate, they are required to settle this mountainous debt. Since they could not they will held by the estates and when they die, the children has to take over. Generations are held in this vicious and cruel grip! To escape would mean death and a life wrought with danger! (These are NOT mere stories of which fiction is based....SAD but this IS reality!!)

Poverty in Kapar does NOT match what I see and hear in Mentakab. For your information, they cannot afford to eat rice. The rice we gave them were used to make porridge so that the whole family can eat. Eating rice is a luxury for these folks. Their eyes widened when they saw the loaves of bread we brought along.

This family below, live next to the railway line in a dilapidated hut with thatched roofs. They rely on water from the river. None of the family members have identification papers. Because of their empathy, they are stateless. They are so poor and there are so many of them with babies and toddlers. We gave 2 portion of everything. We believe they badly need help. We also gave milk powder to the infant and toddlers of the family. The men work as odd job workers. (Pix below):


In one of the estates, we met a family who had a father whose BOTH legs were amputated after an accident. Prior to the accident he was a lorry driver. With both legs amputated he is now jobless. One could see the depression and hopelessness on his face. (Pix below):

And these are his family togather with Pastor Steven - Mentakab Contact Pax & Hjh. Ainie of Project MADE........(Pix below):

This lady is one of the first few we met. She had an eye injury sustained whilst at work. Those with her are her children and the baby is her grandchild. (Pix below):

These children were left in the care of their eldest sibling who is still a child himself. When we came both their parents were away at work. The children were very good as they looked after one another and were fiercely protective of one another.

The cream rolls, cakes and toys went down very well with therse children and the other children we met along the way.....