Young Felda settlers earn side income during school holidays

JELEBU - Two siblings in Felda Pasoh 4 here fill their school holidays by working at their grandfather's four-hectare oil palm plantation for the past four years.

Norsyadinie, 15, and Nor Syafi Nor Azman, 13, will go to the plantation with their uncle as early as 8am and return home by noon.

Their mother, Mastura Masran, 39, said her children offered to do the work voluntarily as they were paid RM50 each by their grandfather.

“They are happy because they are paid as soon as they finish work. So, for the past four years, they would offer themselves during school holidays to help their grandparents on the plantation, usually up to four times a month, it also helps them to start saving " she told Sinar Harian.

They have been keen in helping out since their primary schools days.

“They will go to the plantation after they are done with their home-based teaching and learning (PdPR) sessions. I do not stop them as long as they can benefit from that and they are after all not burdening anyone.

The mother further said the hardwork as made her children realise the importance of hard work.

In TANAH MERAH, a 15-year-old teenager was able to earn RM1,000 just by collecting palm oil at his grandmother's plantation.

Third-generation settler, Nur Areeyana Nabila Abdul Wahab said it is their family's tradition to collect palm fruit.

The teenage girl from Felda Kemahang 3, Kelantan added she would be at the plantation from 9am to 2pm during school holidays and weekdays to collect palm fruit with her brother, Mohd Azrul Haikal, 20.

“I get about 70 kilograms for each time and paid with a minimum of RM10 per sack.

“Usually in two weeks, I earn RM1,000 and with the help of my brother and a friend.

"My brother will help lift the sack onto the motorcycle and bring it back to my aunt's house to weigh and sell," she said.

According to the Form 3 student from Sekolah Menengah Ugama Tarbiah Islamiah, Kampung Kuala Kajang, the school holiday season is the best time for her and her friend, Nik Nor Fatin Farhana Mohd Arif, 15, to get some side income.

Meanwhile, Felda Kemahang 3 youth chairman, Zaimah Awang when met said, the work of collecting the fruit has become a habit for young settlers during school holidays.