BEC helps Orang Asli to renovate Chapel

Apr 10, 2014

KELANA JAYA (Herald Malaysia): A plea for assistance from the Catholic community of the Semai orang asli group near Temor, Perak for a decent place of worship in 2013, was heeded by BEC John Paul II from St Ignatius Church, Petaling Jaya.

The BEC raised funds to renovate and refurbish the Chapel so that the Semai community now have a permanent and comfortable prayer centre to carry out their daily worship.

Bishop Sebastian Francis, Bishop of Penang, blessed the Chapel in November 2013. The balance of the funds was used to build bathrooms for several orang asli families.

The BEC came together once again on 23 March 2014 as part of their Lenten Campaign to provide further assistance to this orang asli community.

Food, provisions and financial assistance were provided. Together with their families, the BEC joined hands in praise and worship.

The word of God was read and shared by Johanis, the lay leader of the community.

Later the BEC was updated on the achievements and plight of the Semai community.

Their grievances include the lack of basic amenities and job opportunities.

One orang asli girl who had just graduated as a nurse is still finding it difficult to gain employment.

Johanis explained that the men hardly support or participate in religious activities. Hence, the orang asli women were left to raise their children in the Christian faith.

Moved by their plight, BEC Chief Coordinator Jennifer Heng explained that education is essential for the children especially in the development of their Christian faith.

She said that the BEC will assist the orang asli community by providing reading materials for these children.

The BEC then spent time interacting with the community before returning to Petaling Jaya.

‘Let us work together so that everyone will have bread’ are the words of Blessed John Paul II that inspired the BEC to continue with its corporal works of mercy.