Over 40 kids learn craft, significance of light at PPR

Participants posing with star lanterns they produced during a workshop at PPR Jalan Sungai.

HARI Raya Aidilfitri at Jalan Sungai People’s Housing Project (PPR) is brighter this year, thanks to its residents.

More than 40 children made over 100 star lanterns, which were hung at common areas and distributed to residents in the PPR.

The children aged seven to 15 made the lanterns at workshops seven weeks before Hari Raya.

There were 10 of these workshops, with some parents also joining in.

Non-profit organisation Arts-ED collaborated with local artisans to run these workshops as part of its community-based arts and culture programme called “Gempak 100”.

This particular initiative was called “Nur. Light.” and was intended to rejuvenate a communal tradition.

Project coordinator Chen Yoke Pin said the making of a giant star lantern had become an annual affair at the PPR flats until the pandemic hit in 2020.

Due to the size of the star lantern, the task was undertaken only by young men.

In rejuvenating the tradition, Arts-ED also wanted to make the craft accessible to children, including girls.

At the workshops, the children not only learned simple craft-making but were also encouraged to learn about the significance of light in the community by interviewing older residents and exploring its symbolism.

With a deeper understanding on the meaning of light, the children also dedicated special messages to community members in each of the lanterns they made.

“Beyond the common connotations of cheerfulness and liveliness, they were also able to connect light with hope, blessings and longevity.

“From their parents to siblings, relatives, neighbours, cleaners, security guards and residents association’s committee members, these children made the lanterns with care and love,” said Chen.

Their efforts culminated in a lighting-up ceremony attended by Sungai Pinang assemblyman Lim Siew Khim.

The children then delivered the star lanterns door to door.

Muhammad Mustaqim Muhammad Rejab, 10, is ecstatic to be able to make a gift for the people he loves.

“At first, I didn’t know how or where to start.

“But with guidance from teachers, I made nine star lanterns and even taught other people how to make them,” said Mustaqim.

Siblings Erisya Balkish Mohd Fazrul, 11, and Muhammad Adam Aryan Mohd Fazrul, 10, said they enjoyed the collaborative aspect.

“We cut and tied bamboo sticks, glued on the paper and did different tasks to make small and big star lanterns as a team,” Adam said.

“Being able to make crafts together with friends is great,” Erisya added.

Apart from improving the children’s self-confidence, coordinator and facilitator Nurul Shahira Jamaluddin also noticed a shift in residents’ perceptions of the children’s abilities.

“Adults don’t usually encourage children to make the giant star lantern with them, but now they realise the children have the ability to do so,” she said.

The festive star lantern workshops were the first phase of Arts-ED’s plans at Jalan Sungai PPR this year.

Chen said, “We want to push for more interaction and an exchange of knowledge and ideas among community members, parents and children, from the old to the young and vice-versa.

“The act of making lanterns, crafting messages and personally gifting them to the community is a little step in getting the children to connect with others.”

The programme was also supported by Penang Education Council and Jalan Sungai Residents Association.