At 9am, Jahai villager Siti Nordiana Rehek embarks on her daily boat ride with her friends to visit three villages in the Royal Belum State Park near the Perak-Kelantan border.

The journey from their home in Kampung Kelewang to Kampung Tanhai takes about an hour, but it’s a journey they’re happy to take as they know there are children there eagerly waiting to be taught basic reading, writing, counting, and colouring.

As there are four villages, Kelewang, Tanhain, Hebol, and Kejar, Siti and her friends rotate their teaching schedules to cover more than 70 students.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, the 23-year-old said she never expected that this would be how she could contribute to her community.

“I studied agriculture. I didn’t know I would enjoy teaching, and now, I even have students who are inspired to become teachers like me.

“It’s a good feeling to be able to help my community...