KUALA LUMPUR: Since she was 18, Tijah Yok Chopil has been helping orang asli children in her village learn subjects like mathematics by relating them with everyday life issues.

Twenty three years later, Tijah runs a literacy programme for over 60 orang asli children at two centres in Perak and one in Negri Sembilan. The programme helps the children learn to read, write and count.

“This programme will give them a sense of self-confidence,” Tijah said of the Pendidikan Celik Huruf programme which is run by the group, Sinui Pai Nanek Sengi.

The group is a network of orang asli settlements across Perak that was founded by Tijah.

Efforts rewarded: (From left) Mawar Baheak, Datuk Seri Kalimullah Hassan, Tijah and Haniff at the ECM Libra office Monday.

Sinui Pai Nanek Sengi means “new life, one heart” in Semai language.

Tijah said many orang asli children had trouble keeping up in school as they could not relate to the lessons taught and hoped the dropout rate among orang asli children would be reduced.

Tijah also wants orang asli children to be exposed to the world instead of being stuck in villages.

“I want people to view them with respect,” Tijah said, adding that she wants to change the negative perception that the orang asli are an uneducated and ignorant lot.

“Even if they do not make it to university, I want them to be able to think critically and be aware of their rights,” she added.

Yesterday, Tijah received a cheque for RM50,000 from the ECM Libra Foundation to run the programme.The foundation also pledged two more donations of RM50,000 in the next two years, in addition to three donations of RM10,000 annually to organise educational trips.

Former Inspector-General of Police Tun Haniff Omar presented the cheque to Tijah on behalf of the foundation.

The foundation also announced scholarships for three SPM top scorers from Sarawak – Marina Undau, Danial Ibau and Awang Adrian Awang Kasumar – whose application for matriculation programmes had been turned down because they are of mixed parentage.

It said the students could choose to pursue one of four pre-university programmes offered by Taylors University College, under the scholarships which were being offered jointly by the college.