During a trip to Rumah Johnson Intai anak Pol in Seduku Panjai, Lingga, Sri Aman, RAKAN Sarawak interviewed several of the longhouse’s residents who participated in the social programs.
Resident of Rumah Johnson, Gloria Johnson participated in the cakes and pastries making program in 2020 and 2021.
According to Gloria, among the things that they were taught to make includes cupcakes, buns, kek lapis (layered cakes) as well as variety of sauces and pineapple juice.
“During the program, we were taught how to measure the ingredients and so forth. The program taught us a lot new baking skills and techniques,” she said.
Another resident of Rumah Jonhson, Nangku Ak Kilie also participated in the cakes and pastries making program.
Before joining the program, Nangku has been actively selling her cakes and pastries in the longhouse and also to other longhouses in vicinity.
“Before joining the program, I only made traditional cakes such as kuih basah (steamed cakes),” she said.
But during the program, she learned how to make other types of cakes and pastries such as doughnut.
According to her, the residents of the longhouse would buy them for breakfast or snacks for their children to be eaten at schools.
Each month, Nangku said she can roughly earn about RM600 to RM800, which helps her to earn extra income for her and her family.
However, Nangku said that she stopped making cakes and pastries since the pandemic and is thinking of picking up her business again since entering the endemic phase.
Resident of Rumah Johnson, Bill Ak Jali also participated in the RTP social program organised in their longhouse.
According to Bill, he participated in the wiring and electrical course which meant to teach basic knowledge and skills to the residents.
“The course was beneficial. While I may not be utilising the skill that I’ve learned from the course now, it might be useful in the future and it helps that I have basic knowledge on wiring,” he said.
Since 2019 until now, various social programs and infrastructure projects has been implemented.
Program/projects for 2021/2022:
