Smart Caliph Camp

Saturday and Sunday, 16-17 April – The 58 participants of Smart Caliph Camp from SMK Kota Samarahan arrived to Sakura College around 7.40 am and registration began immediately until 8.15 am. The camp began with welcoming remarks from the MC. The MC began to explain the rules that must be followed by the participants while at Sakura College such as during the entire program, the mobile phones of the participants will be kept by the committee and the persons whom the parents should contact. The MC also mentioned that throughout the entire program, male participants will be referred to as “adik-adik kasih” and the female participants “adik-adik sayang”.

            The program director was invited to speak and she gave further reminders and additional information on the program. The participants were given 5 minutes to inform their parents that their phones are to be kept by the committee. The first slot began a bit later than scheduled due to some technical difficulties which was soon resolved. The participants were introduced to the moderator, facilitators and committee members of the program. The moderator was En. Mohd Sufri Bin Yakup, member of the Youth Parliament for Sarawak.

            The participants sang the theme song of the program which was “Gemuruh Jiwa by Faizal Tahir”. The participants were told of the 10 ethics or disciplines of the program that they should adhered to. The first slot by the name Knowing Me, Knowing You is all about getting to know each other and the facilitators. “Tepuk amai-amai” was conducted by the participants at different speeds with their partners. Then, a demonstration by several pairs of the 3 different speed as well as the creative version of the “Tepuk amai-amai”. The song “Satu Tekad by U.N.I.C.” was sang by the participants and facilitator. The participants were then divided into groups in order to create their army yell. The session was conducted inside as well as outside according to the facilitators. The best army yell by popularity vote is by the Ba Kenyalang group. The song “Satu Tekad” was sanfg once more before the participants were dismissed for lunch.

            The second slot is Nikmat oh Nikmat where there is a sharing on what is nikmat. The participants sang the song “Sahabat by Upin & Ipin”. The participants shared their experience on nikmat with their friends of which some of the response are the nikmat that they experienced are friends that understand and are always by their side. They are then divided into pairs and are blindfolded and their mouth taped. The facilitators and committee members then moved the participants away from their partners. Then, the participants are to find their partners without the use of their eyes and mouth. If the participants were unable to find their partners before the time limit, they are allowed to call out their partners’ name. After the activity, the participants watched several videos on the greatness of Allah and of gratefulness to Him. The participants are then allowed to move to their rooms. They also received their food around 4.00pm.

            About 4.30 pm, the participants have a slot riadah divided by gender. Later in the evening, the next slot is Meniti Angin Malam. In this slot, the participants were guided to reflect on the realisation of their shortcomings, on prayers for their parents and on death. Part of the slot is acting out the event of the experience of the soul after death by the committee members and facilitators. The participants then retired for the night.

            The next morning after breakfast, they have their next slot which is Hijrahku. In this slot, the meaning of hijrah was explored and it is about change to something better. The participants were then asked to write down the changes they would like to make within 2 weeks of the program as a friend, a son or daughter and as a student. Some of the participants shared what they have written down such as getting straight As in SPM for their parents.

            While the participants were in Hijrahku, their parents or representatives of their parents were in the Bilik Seminar for a sharing session with En. Sufri in a slot called Ku Sayang Ibu, Ku Sayang Ayah. Some of the sharing is that teenagers listened more to their friends’ advices and therefore it is the duty of the parents to guide their children to good friends. Soon after both slots ended, the participants were reunited with their parents and representatives in Menyemai Kasih, Menuai Sayang. The participants were encouraged by the moderator to have a heart-to-heart with their parents. The participants and their parents also watched several videos to highlight on the bond between parents and children.

            The closing ceremony began around 11.30 am. The MC called upon the representative of the Principal of SMK Kota Samarahan who could not make to the program as there was another program held at the school, Pn. Dayang Azizah Binti Mohd Salleh. She gave thanks to Sakura College for conducting Smart Caliph Camp, that the program brings a lot of benefits to the participants and that should another program like it is held, the school is willing to participate. Then, there was a speech by the Principal of Sakura College, Cik Ain who congratulated the committee member for a successful program and that maybe in the future, another program like it might be held. After that is the viewing of the montage video of the 2-days program and then followed by presentation of certificate to the representatives of the participants as well as the facilitator.

            Commemoration gifts were then presented to the moderator, En. Sufri, representative of the Principal of SMK Kota Samarahan, Pn. Dayang Azizah and to the Principal of Sakura College, Cik Ain. The gifts were presented by Cik Ain and the program director respectively.

By:

Pliny Narong