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We left Kota Kinabalu for Labuan at 8 in the morning. Everyone was excited and full of spirit to teach. Some were revising their flipchart. We were greeted by Mr. Goh Kok Kyiu in Labuan ferry terminal and was treated lunch too. Thanks to Mr. Goh for being so hospitable. Also thanks to Mr. Naysan Lee for assisting in printing of the Iban flipcharts. Upon arrival to Limbang by ferry, we were greeted by Mr. Kong Siew Moi, Dr. Johun Teh, Mrs. Jubang and a few youth. They brought us straight to Mendamit Bahá’í Centre which is 45 minutes from Limbang Town using two cars and a school bus. There at Mendamit Bahá’í Centre, we met Mr. Sumbang and Mdm. Rata, Mr. Changgau and Mdm. Sema, Mr. Suili and his brothers – Richie and Junaidi, and other youth.

The journey started with eight youths from Bau, Lundu and Kuching, traveling together from Kuching to Serian on 23 November. In Serian we were joined by another group of nine youths and we stayed at Ellen Joseph’s residence before proceeding to our first destination, Kampung Bugu Mawang the next morning.

Book 1 course started with 11 Bahá’í youths with myself and Poly Jampang as tutors. The course was held during day time only. At the same time children’s class and junior youth class were conducted by Calstino and Hartini. They were assisted by Erwina and Dovin. In the evening, workshop on arts was held whereby the youth were taught how to chant prayers, songs, games and dances. Besides that we also visited and prayed for a friend who was ill. He passed away a week later.

Kg. Sg. Pedada, Meludam:- Commencing 11 December a total of 23 believers from the host community and Kg. Sg. Meranti attended the institute campaign. 2 persons attended Book 1 with Sulang as tutor, two groups of Book 2, 6 participants with Mr. Ragai and 5 with Ms. Jamory. 10 persons attended the evening-only session study circle on Book 1 with Mr. Terrence Tinggi. On the evening of their arrival, the tutors were warmly welcomed by the community.

From 17 till 27 November, Auxiliary Board Member Mr. Bunsie Tunton made a ten-day trip to the northern region by driving the family van all the way to Rh. Ansok, Sg. Kelabit in the Bakong area. He was accompanied by wife Bari and their three children. For Bari it was more like a happy reunion after a long separation. In her report about the trip, Bari wrote that their visit coincided with the Reflection Meetings organised by the Area Teaching Committees. At Rh. Ansok, representatives from ten communities in the Bakong-Tinjar Cluster attended the reflection meeting held on 19 Nov. The friends studied the 26 Nov 2001 document from the International Teaching Centre and the 2002 Ridvan Message.

Rh. Surik, Lemanak:- The first teaching conference cum institutional or cluster meeting for Lemanak area was held over the weekend of 23 and 24 November. The event, attended by almost two hundred believers from eight localities along the Lemanak River was the largest regional gathering ever held in many years. From Kuching, a total ten people including representatives of the National Teaching Committees, Sarawak Bahá’í Institute, Bahá’í Office for the Advancement of Women and Centre for the Advancement of Women and Family came as speakers or observers.

On 6 December 2002 we ( Banta Jalin, Nicholas Engkilan and Feather) left for our destination, Long Tanyit in the interior of Belaga District. That night we had to seek accommodation at Danum (logging) Camp due to lack of transport to continue our journey. The next day we got a lift to Long Tanyit. Our arrival was warmly welcomed by the believers and we stayed for two days. We organized devotional gatherings and discussed on ways how to initiate activities for the youth.