SOHIB2320331 reflective journal usrah in action 2

  reflective journal

During Usrah in Action 1 we started by community profiling in Kampung Balok to learn about residents and their requirements and environmental matters. This experience showed me that knowing the community needs should be the priority before a person attempts to make an influence.

Building on that, Usrah in Action 2 involved three main activities: a beach cleanup, mangrove planting, and an educational exhibition. In this action we plan to do all the work as a group starting with the beach cleaning to help restore the coastal area and prepare it for mangrove planting. The tree planting activity was the most valuable to me since we are working on planting 200–300 trees while showing volunteers the correct planting methods. It will be fulfilling to teach others about the importance of mangroves for coastal protection and biodiversity.

During the educational exhibition my classmates prepared a presentation on environmental topics, issues and important things to know regarding the mangrove and horseshoe crabs because many villagers didn’t know about the medical value of horseshoe crab blood. Interacting with them made me realize how important awareness is for conservation.

These experiences taught me that community engagement is not just about taking action, it’s about listening, connecting, and working together toward making the change. They reminded me that even small efforts, when shared, can leave a lasting impact on the community, ourselves and environment.