A KNOWLEDGE and skill-sharing programme in the field of agriculture, aimed at assessing the abilities of OKU (people with disabilities) trainees under the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Industry and Community Network Division (BJIM) Grant, was held at the Teluk Bahang Community Rehabilitation Centre (PPDK).
The programme, held on June 21, involved 25 preschoolers from Tabika Kemas Dewan Belia Teluk Bahang and Warisan Bestari Kindergarten.
Dr Norhanishah Mohamad Yunus, the BJIM project leader from the USM School of Distance Education, said the agricultural knowledge-sharing programme began with an introduction session by the OKU trainees at PPDK.
The trainees explained the types of herbal plants grown at the Teluk Bahang PPDK nursery.
“The preschoolers were also introduced to the uses of each herb and their benefits for food and health.
“The second session included a hands-on activity where each preschooler was given a pot and taught to plant herb seeds. This activity allowed the preschoolers to experience being gardeners.
“In the final session, the preschoolers were guided on how to maintain the herbal plants they had planted to ensure their longevity,” Dr Norhanishah told Buletin Mutiara recently.
She added that the activities led by the Teluk Bahang PPDK trainees not only enhance their self-skills but also develop the potential and confidence of OKU individuals in managing a community service programme.
She expressed that agricultural activities involving preschoolers through outdoor learning and exposure to basic agriculture can foster an interest in agriculture from a young age, similar to practices in developed countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, and France.
Dr Norhanishah also thanked the southwest district Agriculture Department for its support.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix courtesy of Dr Norhanishah Mohamad Yunus