COMMUNITY SERVICE INNITIATIVE
In this module, we are required to incorporate the theory they have learned at school into real life environment and problems. The intention is to reveal the students to the real community and work together as a team for architectural, culture and environmental enhancing activities in the communities of different social economic status and social groups.
Learning Outcomes
1. Develop relevant communication skills for collaborative work with community/society and/or to work in a career that will make contribution to society.
2. Develop a holistic awareness of the variety of problems (e.g. the environment, poverty, social discrimination) that call for action; critically analyze how such problems should be approached and how to solve them scientifically.
3. Apply information management skills and strengthen their lifelong academic learning.
4. Develop in themselves a strong sense of social responsibility and be able to portray leadership qualities and being able to work effectively as a team
INTRODUCTION
When we first introduced to this module, there's one existing community service project PPR introduced by Mr Huat Lim to us. Me n my group mates are interested and exited about this project as this is a large scale project which allows us to help the community as well as learn from the experts who also contributed in this PPR project.
This PPR project is located at Sri Tioman 1, Setapak which is 45 minutes drive away from Taylor's University.
Before we visit the site, we've tried to research on the site but there's not much information regarding Sri Tioman 1.
REJECTION
During our first site visit to Sri Tioman 1, most of the areas in this flat are under maintenance. Illegal parked cars throughout the road in Sri Tioman 1, unpleasant smell caused by the cat pee, nasty sight and smell caused by non-proper disposal of rubbish and the torn out facilities such as the gazebo.
We observe that most of the residents especially kids and teenagers will spend their time in the courtyard playing and chit chatting but no adult can be seen here.
The lack of awareness of these residents towards their living environment was apparent among the community. These under maintained facilities gives a rejection effect in the community which cause less people wants to come down to chill and enjoy their time with their neighbors.
After observing the site condition, my team and I knew that these existing issues need us to deal with and hopefully we can come out with ideas which can help to improve current situation.
UNDERSTAND
The site visit allows us to understand the condition of site but the needs of residents are far more important. Hence, during the second site visit to Sri Tioman 1, we interviewed the residents and committee there to understand more about their needs.
One Malay lady stated that the gazebo in the courtyard is slightly broken and he hope that the gazebo can become a place where more residents will come down here to gather.
While the teenagers gang say that they spend most of their time in this gazebo with their friends and they hope to beautify this gazebo so that it will be more comfortable for them to stay here.
After the interview with few residents, we decided to come out ideas to beautify the gazebo.
DETAIL OBSERVATION
After deciding to beautify the gazebo, we visited Sri Tioman the third time to have a clear insight on the current condition of the gazebo as well as getting the dimension of it .
The broken roof and seat tiles, vandalized column make us want to repair it and make it into a more modern look so that it will attract people to visit the gazebo.
My team and I brainstormed on ideas to beautify the gazebo the ideas are composed into a proposal which is yet to be further discussed with the PPR's person in charge to get approval from them.
DISCUSSION
The gazebo proposal is proposed and discussed with the PPR committees. The simple yet straight forward approach towards the community is encouraged by the PPR's committee.
Sadly, the beautifying gazebo request a lot of technical and construction knowledge which is quite difficult for a group of students to carry out. Plus, we were briefed on that day that no changes should be made towards the site until the proposal is approved by the government. Thus, only mock up is needed at site to propose our idea for the residents.
Hence, my team and I went back Sri Tioman 1 to have more in depth interview with the residents. We approach doors by doors to make sure that the new idea proposed can be accepted by most of the residents. At the same time, educate them.
EXECUTE
After finalizing the ideas and budget list, we started to paint the mural mock up.
We get recycled banner from Taylor's University Intellect and make it into size that can fit into the waste disposal area wall in Sri Tioman.
My team and I delegate the tasks well by helping each others and giving opinions during the mock up painting. At this stage, I realized and learned that team work is a thing that can carry you forward as the mock ups would not be able to finish on time if each and everyone of the team members do not contribute in helping drawing and painting the mock ups.
We took the whole day to finish painting the two mock ups.
MURAL
Finally, we decided to create a mural art which beautifies the environment as well as it gives out information that can help to educate the people.
We chose the topic recycling and composing as the theme of our mural as we realized that the residents here have less awareness towards recycling and composing which can be seen from their waste disposal area.
Our objective is to create an artwork which is easy understandable by the residents to help them know more information and knowledge on waste disposal.
After deciding the content we wanted to paint, we come out with method statements, list down budget list so that we can start to execute our work.
PRESENTATION
We presented our mock ups for the residents and we got positive feedback on it. Our simple yet impactful approach got the attention of the residents. At the same time, we collect the suggestion from the residents as well to improvise on our mural design.
After the presentation, we hung our mock ups on the waste disposal area wall to show the residents the outcome of our idea proposed.
The leftovers paint is passed to the representative of the residents so that they can use the leftover paint to carry out mural drawing activities as an engagement activity among the residents.
REFLECTION
Throughout this project, we are able to acknowledge the transformation of Sri Tioman 1 and the residents here. The biggest gain from this project is to realize on how our contribution towards a simple small thing can impact the community. From the beginning, we had the intention to just beautify the gazebo for the residents use, to connect the people with the gazebo through our creation. After that, we move on our idea on not just creating things for just residents needs but to educate them as well. Hence, the mural mock up is produced.
The residents in the community was the biggest motivation for us. When the residents started believing , giving positive reaction for our ideas, it gave so much meaning for us. The completion of our mock ups had immediate reaction, whereby the residents who attend our presentation actually learned on the composing method.
All in all, we managed to achieve our initial intention, fulfilling our mission and vision towards the whole project.
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