Building A House for the Orang Asli: Wesley Methodist School Penang (International) in Collaboration with Epic Homes

Building up the structure of a house from scratch by the students from Wesley Methodist School Penang (International)

October 2023: Students at Wesley Methodist School Penang (International) (WMSPI) collaborated with Epic Homes to build a house for the Orang Asli in Kampung Songkok, Batang Kali, Selangor. 

The construction project involved 26 students aged between 14 to 17 years old ranging from Year 8 to Year 11 in the secondary school, together with 4 teachers, and 4 parents who were supervised by Epic Homes master builders and its core team. The construction was completed within 4 working days.

This is an inaugural Orang Asli community outreach programme that the school has organised to make a difference in the lives of both students and the community involved. 

Building in progress: ensuring the foundation of the house is built properly. 

Alvin Chew, a parent lauded “I am so amazed by the students who have shown a high level of maturity: their energy and enthusiasm. They have pushed boundaries, conquered their fears, and finished the project on time. I am humbled by the experience and gained much perspective of what 14-17-year-olds can do if we encourage and believe in them.”

Joshua, one of the students reflected “Before the project, I was deeply excited as I always wish to build something. I was happy for Intan and Fendi (the home receivers) as they had been waiting for 5 years for a house to be built for them. I was truly touched and grateful to have joined this programme. I will recommend it and will do it again.”

WMSPI Students in Action

This project costs over RM110,000. Through a fundraising event that aimed to help build homes for the Orang Asli family, students of WMSPI have successfully raised funds by selling cookies, nuts, ice-creams, drinks, accessories, and t-shirts designed by them, providing car wash service, receiving donations from parents, family members, friends, and some corporate sponsorships.

About Epic Homes

Epic Homes is a social enterprise that builds homes for the Orang Asli, of which the enterprise has grown to be known as a bridge for building relationships between urban and rural communities.

About Wesley Methodist School Penang (International)

Established in 2018, the school offers Early Years, Primary (Key Stage 1 & 2), and Secondary (Key Stage 3 & 4) education. We deliver the Cambridge International curriculum that is internationally recognised, enhanced with additional subjects such as Chinese, Bahasa Melayu (National Curriculum), and Music & Drama (Trinity College London).

We provide holistic learning in building up each child into a responsible, purposeful individual and citizen equipped with the aptitudes to succeed and adapt in a rapidly changing world through Methodist Education:

A – Academic excellence with affordability

C – Character building with Christian values – God Centeredness; Respect for Life; Integrity; Excellence with Humility

E – Extra-curricular achievements, aiming to provide extensive exposure to arts, science, sports, and team building; also, to develop the learners’ leadership skills and to have the responsibilities for community services.

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