Become part of our creative community in Ulu Dong, Pahang, Malaysia

Details

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  Description

  Hello adventurers!
  
  Semat Datang!
  It is an art community located at the end of a small village in a remote countryside in the village of Peruas, Ulu Dong, Raub, Pahang, Malaysia.
  
  The residence was created by the Malaysian artist Mohamad Ismadi as an art studio. Known as Madi… is a renowned painter and art educator. A very humble and generous person with a great sense of humor, maybe a little strange too ;)
  
  This is a place to let one's creativity run wild and explore the authentic life of Malaysia. We live a simple life in a small village located in the jungle. It is surrounded by local attractions such as waterfalls, rivers, bamboo, high-rising trees, and local fauna and flora. The agricultural activities take place in a slightly mountainous region. This means that we breath clean air, drink clean water from a mountain river and it is cool at night here. We also set a value on sustainable living to preserve our natural home. We reduce plastic as much as possible and compost our organic trash which is unfortunately not common in Malaysia yet. We also grow local fruits, veggies, and herbs for our nutrition and health.
  This art community has held various activities from the local community level to the National and then international too. In addition, there are also various nature conservation activities such as river cleaning, traditional food, and culture. You also have the opportunity to get to know the Malay community and the economic activities of the locals as well as gain knowledge from Malay life here as ‘Local Knowledge’.
  
  
  It has been active since 2018 and we have about more than five hundred guests from various backgrounds who are not only art enthusiasts and lovers but also from different fields such as engineering, medical, sports, nutrition, agriculture, and so on. There are also university students from all over the world who visit here to find and share experiences. For that, what we do here has been recognized by the National Art Gallery and the Ministry of Tourism, Art and Culture Malaysia.., we are only a platform for travelers....' Traveling While Creating'
  
  
  However, it is not a fully equipped and sophisticated place like what you have in your city. We are just a place that still lacks everything. We are also grateful to the guests who attended for understanding this lack and helping the available energy to try to complete the lack of existing facilities that are still partially in the development stage. The available work is indeed quite rough as construction work for men and sometimes also done by women and we know that these people have come to contribute energy to build together to be used by the next generation!. Earlier it was developed as a painting studio by a local painter, Ismadi and known as Madi. After a long time this place received many visits from various walks of life, from school students to universities.
  It should be noted here, what you are visiting is not a hotel that provides all the equipment and food. This is also not a place for you to enjoy various dishes from the painter who really doesn't know how to cook. You come you cook for your food. You are considered lucky if there are other friends who can cook and can share. Nearby there are also small stalls or restaurants that serve local cuisine. What's interesting is that we haven't had any complaints about the food yet and it seems that some of them are exchanging cooking styles from their countries....it's fun too!. In order to get raw food items, there is usually a small charge of RM350 per person per week, including expenses for electricity, water, transport and accommodation.
  
  
  If you are interested here, make sure on the way to be here, you have to think about what you will contribute here...? Try your best to create a work of art because these tools and materials are sold here and don't waste it. And we are even more interested in your presence to give us knowledge here because this art is not limited. For those who are less good at crafting, they also have the opportunity to learn. There are also those who share knowledge such as producing drawing paper using natural materials such as banana leaves and mushrooms. (Refer to Youtube artgardenmadi)
  We are always looking volunteer experience. If you know about yoga, dancing, music, massage, gardening, farming, games, exercise, workshops, and others you have come across through your life and travels you are most welcome to share with us.
  
  Welcome to bring your ideas
  
  We could use many hands here so feel free to contact us!
  Selamat Datang in the jungle
  **
  MAIN PROJECT at the moment:
  We are building a small library so mainly construction tasks. If you have special skills in that area you are more than welcome to share your knowledge. If not....you are more than welcome to learn ;)

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Charity Work

  Art Projects

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Elderly Companionship

  Teaching

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  Hospitality/Tourism

  General Maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  What you can learn here:
  
  - We provide an opportunity to learn about Malaysian culture through interaction with the locals.
  
  - to share new knowledge among the travelers and host.
  
  - Exploring ideas in different creative ways using various kinds of materials. Especially in doing a new innovative product from nature such as bamboo and wood.
  
  - Our project aims to be the education center of art and culture. Travelers are encouraged to
  creating an art project, workshop, languages, class even arts performance which is beneficial to
  communities, students and among the volunteers.
  
  - Here, the travelers also can be practice in various kinds of culinary skills such as cooking food by
  various countries.
  
  - As a 'place to meet' of multi-language, cultural from different countries, travelers are encouraged
  to exchange and learn a different kind of language while here.
  
  -Travelers are also encouraged to organize research, projects even classes on various fields of their
  expert which will be beneficial to the others.
  
  - In other conditions, travelers will be exposed to various kinds of local activities nearby such as
  agricultural activities, local food, local attraction, jungle tracking, health activities, heritage and
  historical places.
  
  - Travelers also are encouraged to learn and share knowledge and experience in gardening, machinery
  landscaping and farming.
  
  - Our management really appreciates and thankfully the travelers to your kind cooperation to
  maintaining and keeping this place to be clean and green, respect, working together as a team and
  sharing the ideas which will be beneficial to all members in this place.
  
  -The familiar and most extreme words here...WHY NOT ??, BECAUSEeee and NO
  PROBLEM....always keep in your minds and always use this:)
  
  Always Remember us when u in Malaysia......

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  Help

  What participants are doing:
  
  - As a place of education and art, suggestions to improve this place with good ideas are always welcome.
  
  - Our home is open to the wilds and we appreciate that we keep this environment clean, because it too is our home.
  
  - We have a kitchen here for volunteers to prepare all sorts of foods, and we encourage everyone to cook your own traditional foods to be shared with others.
  
  - We are practicing to be more green and live an eco-friendly lifestyle.
  
  - As an art practitioner, Ismadi's artworks are displayed everywhere, so try to get his permission before moving the artworks or equipment to somewhere else.
  
  - We have a workshop with many tools, machines and equipment available to volunteers. You are welcome to use anything and make your ideas a reality. Those using the tools, try to return the tools you have used and clean up afterward as someone else might want to use them afterward.
  
  - Some of the houses and huts are still in progress. The management crew would really appreciate it if someone with build experience could contribute to the construction.
  
  - No need to hesitate if you have any good ideas to share with us like yoga, dance, art and languages.
  
  Recently (April to June 2019) we have organized a project which relates to Bamboo research. If you would like to help then you are most welcome to join this project together with the various other members. Through their research, innovative thoughts and technical skills to implement it! If you have any ideas on other uses of natural materials, then put it on the board and watch it come forth.
  
  - If you find the weather difficult to get used to (average 27 to 32 degrees Celsius), then take a dip in the nearby river, or ask Ismadi and we will take a ride to the waterfall and really have some fun.
  
  - Here we are surrounded by nature, so why not do some exploration. Trekking through the jungles, fishing the original way, living the wild life. Seek the elusive Rafflesia Flower, crawl through caves, seek medicinal flora.
  
  If you find yourself in any sort of trouble, just say the word and heroes will rise to the occasion.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  Malay: Fluent
  English: Intermediate
  Indonesian: Intermediate

  This host offers a language exchange
  I'm teaching Malay language for visitors to stay here before. some of them can speak fluently in Malay. what I'm teaching is more to daily communication
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  Accommodation

  We are an art studio in Ulu Dong, Raub, Pahang, Malaysia. It is situated in two jungles. Accommodation for visitors and tourists leans more towards a 'jungle style' which is open and encourages camping.
  - Open spaces for tents, we have tents available if you haven't brought your own.
  - Shared toilet and shower.
  - An equipped kitchen
  - Clear mountain water to the residency and Electricity.
  - We don't provide wi-fi unfortunately but the connection is still good if you are within the local area.

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  What else ...

  We do have the transport to the certain places. As allocated in forestry area, the phone internet coverage sometimes slow. Different kind of activities that we can share with like, performance, hiking, waterfall, local sight, cave, jungles and local market and local festival.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Space for parking camper vans

  only one at one time

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  Hours expected

  20 hours a week max

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