Replicating …!

Two indicators of genuine transformation are ownership and self-development. We see these, not just in the Orang Asli farmers at Kg Ulu Gumum where the OA Organics eco-farm project is, but a group of Orang Asli at Kg Melai. At Kg Ulu Gumum, there are now 32 farmers!  The success of the 2-acre land started…

United Nations Showcase!

The Orang Asli farmers of Kg Ulu Gumum will be showcased in an exhibition in New York! The eco-farm has been selected to represent Asia at the United Nations Permanent Forum for Indigenous Issues (22 April – 3 May 2019). The Forum, established in 2000, is mandated to deal with indigenous issues related to the…

The 2Ps Behind Your Vegetables

Behind the OA Organics farm produce you see at three Jaya Grocer outlets, two Ps continue to enhance this process of building sustainable livelihoods for the farmers: Planet-friendly and People-centred.   Planet Friendly To protect the environment, the young Orang Asli are being educated to stay connected to the forest.  Two Sundays ago, a group…

OA Leading the Way

We see growing leadership amongst the orang asli farmers at Kg Ulu Gumum. Not only are they sharing their vision with the larger OA community – with Kg Melai, specifically – they are also mentoring those who wish to replicate the current farm model. In May 2019 when Zariu and Nor were invited by the…

“The Guardians”

The Orang Asli are the natural guardians of the forest. They have a beautiful culture of partnership between people and the forest, nurturing and protecting the forest, and taking from it only what they need daily. But modernisation – irresponsible logging and the imposition of the market economy – has threatened the Orang Asli’s livelihoods,…

New Mini-Farms! (Oct 2018 Updates)

In the last few months, we witness the development of new mini farms in Kg Ulu Gumum! Being inspired by the success of the OA Organic farmers, a few orang asli in the village took the initiative to develop their own farms, using their own resources. Zariu and Burn, our farmers, have been coaching these wannabe…

A Portrait of an OA Farmer: Manan

Let’s get to know one of our farmers, Manan, a hardworking and progressive man in his early 30s.  His life-story is typical of the plights of many orang asli who want to provide a better future for their family. Prior to joining the OA Organics farm in August 2017, Manan worked for an owner of…

Expansion! (July 2018 Updates)

It was a month of expansion!  It all started in mid-July when we had a good problem: the farmers were producing a surplus of 30kg per harvest but the Kuantan market could not absorb the increase in production.   Jaya Grocer, who has adopted OA Oganics as their CSR project, stepped in; they offered to sell the vegetables at…

Eventful Gains (June 2018 Updates)

June was an eventful month of gains for the farmers at OA Organics.  Firstly, it was a month of personal triumph as the farmers surpassed the RM800 income mark!  In March, a compost specialist identified that the soil at the farm possibly comprised 60% sand which could not retain nutrients for the plants. With this,…

In-sights from the Out-side

In March 2018, Mr Piotr Frąckowiak, a young Polish residing in Germany and on a gap year before starting university this September, volunteered four weeks at the farm.  Piotr described his time at the village as a “life-changing, unbelievable, and unforgettable experience of being given a chance to live among the poorest of the poor who…

Home-stay Here to Stay (May 2018 Updates)

There’s an exciting income generation project going on at the village – a home-stay project! After two years of planning with the OA who are involved in the project, including the design of the home-stay, building works commenced in January 2018.  From a grove of rubber trees full of mosquitoes, Bada and team transformed our…

Venturing Beyond (Apr 2018 Updates)

The month of April brought the Orang Asli farmers new team members as well as an opportunity to learn beyond their farm. Let’s say hello to three new joiners – Maslinda, Asanah and Efarinda who are in their early 20s. Prior to this, they were earning RM300 – RM500 from oil palms and a fading…