Disclaimer: In Real Life is a platform for everyday people to share their experiences and voices. All articles are personal stories and do not necessarily echo In Real Life’s sentiments.
Russian national Valerie Azure and her son Kyri made headlines in Malaysia after they spent five days at the KLIA2 transit area when they were denied entry to Thailand due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
During her stay, she launched the Pos Woh Education Center for Orang Asli in Tapah, Perak, which quickly gained popularity on social media. She also embarked on a six-month humanitarian mission.
The Pos Woh village was first introduced to Valerie, a hostel manager, in August 2019 when she joined a group of people distributing food supplies to the Orang Asli there. Valerie had originally came to Malaysia for humanitarian work.
After speaking with some Semai tribal members, the 32-year-old realised that the location required a full-time teacher and offered her services.
She returned to Kuala Lumpur and spent two weeks gathering books, supplies for the classroom, and furniture that had been donated by other expats in response to her Facebook post.
But it didn’t take long for the federal and state governments to step in and try to have her expelled because they thought she was brainwashing the kids.
This is her story.
Note: This interview was conducted in 2021.
My name is Valerie Azure, and I am 32 years old.
My ancestors are from the Czech Republic, but I was born and raised in Russia, which is currently closed due to COVID-19. So I was stuck here in Malaysia with my son.
I started calling other NGOs to help out and volunteer. I met this group of people who distributed food to Orang Asli around Malaysia. They needed funds, but I could only offer my time, so that’s what I did instead.
I Originally Came To Pos Woh To Distribute Food Supplies
When I first started, it was all improvised teaching, using study books purchased from the Afghan refugee center, sitting on the floor with the kids, distributing food to the community home (which was empty with little furniture and had many blank walls).
I remember that in about 30 minutes, I was surrounded by 50 of them.
Mr. Ramli is the village chief of the Semai tribe at Tapah, Kuala Woh National Park.
I told him that I could teach the kids English, voluntarily, as I have a lot of study materials, lots of free time and I wanted to do some humanitarian work.
He thought I was kidding: “You, living with the Orang Asli? We don’t have air conditioning!”
I replied saying, “Yes, I know, it’s fine, since it’s for free and it’s for education”.
Malaysian Government Forces Her Out
I didn’t have a volunteer visa and was on an expired social pass.
So, after three months of harassment, the Immigration Department came to kick me out.
I had thought that immigration was supposed to arrest me, not knowing there was a visa amnesty (in place at the time due to the MCO). The immigration officials said they had no objections to my teaching.
The Director of the Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA), who is Semai himself, did not even directly speak to me.
“They didn’t even know me; they just cornered me and brought in all these police and enforcement officials. I felt like I was being accused. I was told awful things, harassed, and was accused by JAKOA of not having a humanitarian aid permit.”
They said, “You brought us bad things, so you cannot stay here.“
I was told by the Immigration Department that I wasn’t allowed to teach anymore, but then there was this one immigration officer to whom I said, “If you don’t terminate my teaching permit, I’ll stay here.”
And that’s when they gave the green light. They wanted me to leave.
“You have seven days to leave and apply for a visa, and afterwards you are most welcome to come back.”
When they stopped with the interviewing, I was then pressured by the Ministry of Rural Development (JAKOA) to be forced out from Malaysia
It Has Been An Outstanding Experience So Far
I have worked on a lot of humanitarian projects, and it has been a great experience for me volunteering as a full-time teacher.
These kids are so pure; they get excited for class and adore me, and I adore them as well.
There are 46 kids who come every day for their class.
“They never skip their classes (most of them) and come to do their homework after school each day.”
Every day is a new experience for me and for them.
I have learned so much from them as well, and it makes me really happy—the energy and happiness that radiate from them when they laugh make me feel happy.
Seeing my students’ incredible growth and progress over the last six months—from kids who couldn’t hold a pen or pencil to them being able to read and write confidently now—makes me proud.
The Semai kids do attend government schools, but the parents are excited about me being here because most of them are behind in their English (progress).
English is their third language, as they speak both Semai and Malay, and in addition to the absence of internet connections and media devices, it proves much more of a challenge for them than for other students.
That being said, they learn so fast as long as they are focused.
It is hard for government school teachers because the classes are overcrowded with about 30-40 kids per class. I try to split my classes into groups of 20 students so that there is more time for each student.
Their ages range from 5 to 17 years old, and I also teach a group of 14 adults. It is energy consuming, but I sincerely love my students and have grown attached to them. It is going to be heartbreaking when I have to let them go.
Best Memories Happened At The Rivers
One of the best memories I’ve had was going to the river each day. They would teach me how to fish and laughed at me when I climbed the boulders or tried to pronounce the Semai words.
People here don’t have the tradition of celebrating birthdays, so when I got to know that it was one of the student’s birthdays, we had a little celebration and organised a treasure hunt.
My son’s 10th birthday was especially hard for him since there was no internet connection. We threw him a surprise birthday party and also received lots of presents. We organised a treasure hunt in which the whole village participated, which, by the way, was also in English!
Daily Challenges Living In Nature
Every day I find joy.
“The lack of toilets, showers, and washing machine facilities meant that I had to clean myself and do the laundry in the river.”
It was challenging, but the ladies taught me how to wash in the river, and I reassured myself that it would be okay. Despite the challenges, there was nothing major or negative that made me upset.
We’ve grown fond of each other, the Semai people and I.
I used to go jogging by myself every day, but now they join me.
The Semai people have written letters to JAKOA asking them not to bother me and telling them that they want me to teach.
My biggest dream is to work with Doctors Without Borders and turn my passion into a job that I can commit myself to full-time without worrying about the future.
Parting Message
My message to my students is, when they do grow up to read this:
I am grateful to my students for all the time that we’ve shared.
“My greatest wish is for them to grow up to become educated, kind-hearted individuals who will be able to build a better future for their community.” That is my main purpose for being here.
Nelson Mandela once said, “The most powerful weapon in the world is education.” “And through education (and English), these students will have higher chances of entering universities, especially those who aren’t able to spell right now; and they will grow up to be future doctors, human rights activists, and lawyers.”
My message to the public is:
“All this has been possible because of the Malaysian community—the books, donations, toys, study materials, and moral support given throughout these difficult times have made a big difference. I express my gratitude to you and hope you continue to support this school project, even in my absence.”
We have a Malaysian government that tries to shut down school programs such as ours because of Facebook posts that raise awareness of the problems of the Orang Asli, who face numerous challenges that few people are aware of.
The villagers still need funds to build an education center for afterschool activities (about RM15,000). They need volunteer teachers who can teach the school curriculum and the arts and music. Teachers who can teach the guitar and piano. Permits must be gotten from JAKOA.
I urge the public to give what they can as soon as the school is built. EasyParcel.com provides free delivery and can send old electronic devices, tablets, and laptops – and to reach out to help by messaging their Facebook page.
Do you know anyone with an interesting story to share? Drop us an email at hello@inreallife.my and we may feature the story.
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