https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2020/02/21/senior-citizens-youths-build-furniture-for-use-at-segambut-recreational-areas
MORE THAN 40 people in Segambut participated in a Ferrocement Landscape with Community programme at the Taman Desa Segambut community hall. It was organised by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s (UTM) Centre for Curriculum and Services Learning (CCSL), in partnership with Zone 5 Federal Territory Residents Representative Council (MPPWP), Taman Desa Segambut Residents Council, the Surau Al-Mukhlisin Taman Desa Segambut management and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to provide creative public park furniture for senior citizens in the area.
The two-day programme highlighted theoretical and practical techniques in building ferrocement landscape furniture, enabling participants to develop their own products using basic materials such as sand, cement and water. Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh, who launched the event, complimented the efforts of students. “Retired senior citizens can often be seen exercising and walking around the neighbourhood parks. I have already received many requests for chairs and tables at multiple locations. “With this inter-generational programme, senior citizens can interact with youths and learn updated skills from them, ” she said.
“Taking part in this programme will also give the community a sense of ownership as they are physically involved in the making of these products.“Other than saving costs, it provides an opportunity for the community to work on their own products and maybe earn a living from it in the future, ” she added.
Also present were MPPWP Zone 5 Segambut chairman Dr Abdul Basir Kunhimohamed, UTM Student Affairs Office director Dr Pauziah Muhamad, UTM Office of Postgraduate Studies chairman Professor Dr Mohd Shafry Mohd Rahim, Centre for Community and Industry Network deputy director Associate Professor Dr Aznah Nor Anuar, UTMSPACE Diploma Studies School general manager Nik Maria Nik Mohamood and CCSL coordinator Associate Professor Zainudin Abdul Razak.
With the aim of encouraging the spirit of technology-based volunteerism, community-based teaching and learning among people, especially senior citizens, programme advisers Shaiful Ziyad Shaiful Zahrein, Salina Sadeli and Mohd Hazri Ishak along with 21 diploma students from UTM assisted participants in creating four sets of ferrocement landscape tables and 16 chairs. The finished products made during the programme were then presented directly to the local community of Taman Desa Segambut.
“If the feedback for this programme is positive, then I will introduce it to my community garden as well, where a lot of women are involved in community farming, ”