Youth Paddy Program (Program Belia Berpadi)

This program was formed in January 2015 at the Youth Development Center, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Kampong Tanah Jambu, Brunei-Muara, Negara Brunei Darussalam with the collaboration with Agriculture and Agrifood Department, Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism. Such challenges had to be faced by both ministries such as allocation of budgets and participant selection. Full of spirit and hope for the youth, to the younger generation of Brunei!

Selection of participants were not so picky since the spectrum of individuals were broad enough from graduated school students to ex-fire brigades and they wanted to encourage as many participants as possible since youths of Brunei are the future generations that can enhance and boost the economy, not only the oil and gas sector since Brunei requires more renewable resources and better source of income especially at the agriculture section. For the sake of food security, employable citizens for the needs of local industry and maybe in the future: exports.

The Youth Development Center

 At first the initial participant list was long enough to make the institution glad to see the results; 40 people applied via application forms provided by the training center. Nevertheless, time passed, interest among the participants were downed  and by the final day of application and actual interview day, the list were left with 14 people and off they go! To the next level, which trains the participants' skills and teamwork. But first, a brief look at the local paddy field, which the trainees going to be trained hands-on.

A brief visit to the paddy fields, Wasan, Mukim Pengkalan Batu, Brunei-Muara

 Before everything starts. Really, everything, the trainees were sent to Outward Bound Brunei Darussalam at Batang Duri, Temburong District. Here, the fun starts with teamwork skills which really are awesomely useful for everybody. This is the chance to know each other temperaments along the way.

Since the speedboat services from Bandar Seri Begawan to Bangar, Temburong were closed temporarily because of jungle woods blocking the entrance at the arrival site in Bangar, the road  trip starts from the YDC to Kuala Lurah immigration checkpoint before entering Limbang, Sarawak. Along the way before reaching Limbang town, there were flooded villages which was because nightly heavy rainfall since early of the year, forcing the villagers to take immediate actions to save their assets.

Since there are no reception for the local service provider at Limbang, so there are no way for the team to get internet access except for the expensive roaming data using Maxis, Celcom and else. Good thing these roads were not so congested and they had a pleasant journey long the way. A quick stop in the evening at Limbang town for supplies and good food before proceeding to Temburong District.

More stories after the break! So stay tuned.....