Keningau students experience flying for first time

The Borneo Post

SABAH NEWS

Posted on July 27, 2011, Wednesday

KOTA KINABALU: Twenty students from SMK Nabawan were excited and happy when they flew in an aircraft for the first time from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan on July 21 which was made possible by MASwings through its Wings of Love aspiration.

These aspiring librarian students accompanied by four teachers led by their consulting teacher for SMK Nabawan Library Club, Kelvin Kong, left via MH3093 at 7.45am on their first ever field trip by flight to visit the Sandakan District Library.

SMK Nabawan is a school located in a rural area with almost an hour travelling time from Keningau town. Most of the students’ parents are local Muruts and working as paddy farmers.

“MASwings which has embarked on its very own community project called ‘Wings of Love’ under its corporate social responsibility programme focusing on community, education and environment, is more than happy to sponsor this group’s return ticket travel after learning the intent and objective of the field trip initiated by the teachers on their own effort to reward these students,” said Shauqi Ahmad, MASwings Regional Vice President Sabah.

MASwings took note and appreciated the fact that despite the hardship of the students’ parents, the teachers of the Library Club would hold a field trip for the students every year hoping to expose them to other places besides their own small village. The teachers believe it would motivate the students to strive for, if not excel, a better life for themselves and their family in the near future.

Previously the Library Club visited the Keningau and Tenom District Libraries and last year they went further to the Sabah State and UMS Libraries.

This year their field trip of three days and two nights which covered a visit to Sandakan Library, SMK Elopura, Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre and Sandakan Crocodile Farm, became a reality, thanks to MASwings’ Wings of Love.

“MASwings will continue to be firmly committed to meaningful initiatives under its Wings of Love project through various methods by investing in the educational future of students, especially those underprivileged and hail from remote areas within Sabah and Sarawak. We hope by the use of our resources and contribution, it will bring about positive changes in the community and the country as a whole,” Shauqi added.