1.0 Introduction

The Jom Tengkera Project is an educational initiative conducted under the Civics subject at Pay Fong Middle School. Commencing in 2022, the project features trilingual community walks and a community festival that encompasses cultural performances, a Community History Exhibition, Tengkera Photography Exhibition, local delicacy sharing, Life Market & NGOs sharing, Kompang Workshop, and screenings with discussions on various local issues.

In the subsequent year 2023, the Jom Tengkera community walk was organized as part of a Civics Exhibition led by Senior 2 students in the Civics class. The exhibition's theme centered around "The Buried Waves: Melaka Land Reclamation." Four community walks were organized through the Jom Tengkera Project, guiding participants to explore the community and observe Kampung Pantai Tengkera as an early case study affected by the land reclamation project in Malacca around the 1980s.

This year, in 2024, the focus is on the cultural sector, uniting puppetry traditions from both Malay and Chinese cultures. Workshops within the school will prepare students to perform independently or with the assistance of professional puppet masters, showcasing their acquired skills. Concurrently, a community appreciation night, styled in the traditional Tok Panjang fashion, is planned to feature traditional and local recipes. The aim is to express gratitude to the local community, especially the elderly, which has consistently welcomed and guided the students throughout the past few years.

2.0 Why we decided to raise a crowdfunding campaign?

We have decided to launch a crowdfunding campaign to address a critical funding gap for our Jom Tengkera 2024 project. While we are grateful for the support we’ve received from various sponsors—such as the Confucius Classroom at Pay Fong Middle School for the Wayang Kulit and Potehi sub-projects—additional funding is still needed to fully realize the entire project.

To ensure the successful execution of Jom Tengkera 2024, we need to raise approximately RM20,000. Since January 2024, we have secured sponsorships from various parties, covering most of the budget. Currently, we still need to raise RM4,000 to complete our funding requirements. Below is a breakdown of the projected costs:

1. • Wayang Kulit Show, Workshop, Exhibition: RM4,500
   • Potehi Show, Workshop, Exhibition: RM4,500
   • Tok Panjang Food Preparation and Exhibition: RM4,000
   • Tengkera Story Photography Exhibition: RM700
   • Stage Setup: RM3,000
   • Venue Setup: RM3,000
   • Publicity and Publication: RM1,000
   • Transportation: RM1,000

Your support through crowdfunding will help us bridge this gap and ensure that every aspect of the project can be executed to its fullest potential. We deeply appreciate your consideration and support in bringing this project to life.

3.0 Project Background

The title "Jom Tengkera" is derived from the Malay phrase where "Tengkera" represents the name of the community, and "Jom" translates to "let's go." The Tengkera community stands out for its cultural diversity, creating an inclusive living environment for all residents. With a history spanning over 500 years, Tengkera is a living heritage that deserves celebration by all Malaysians, particularly those from Malacca. This community exemplifies harmonious coexistence, embodying the spirit of the people of Malacca.

3.1 Who are we? Why we initiate the project?

The project was initiated by a group of teachers and students under the Civic Education subject from Pay Fong Middle School on year 2022. Since then, it has become part of the Civic Education subject

a. to encourage youth participation in community development;

b. to strengthen the school's relationship with the local community;

c. to initiate a sustainable community movement by integrating the idea into the school’s curriculum.

Throughout the project, teachers lead their students along Jalan Tengkera and the surrounding villages to gather oral histories. Subsequently, they endeavor to compile and curate these stories into a compelling narrative, which is then presented to the public through a series of trilingual walking tour sessions (in Mandarin, Bahasa Melayu, and English). This unique approach not only enhances students' language skills but also fosters the ability to interact with residents from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds.

Moreover, the project provides students with the opportunity to explore a nearby village, an experience they might not otherwise have encountered. This allows them to discover and appreciate the beauty and rich heritage of the village. Overall, the initiative goes beyond traditional classroom learning, offering students a hands-on and immersive education in language, cultural diversity, and local heritage.

Students explore the community through the guidance of their Civic teachers and prepare their own script to narrate in the coming walking tour sessions.

3.2 Why we chose Tengkera?

A section of Tengkera resides within the buffer zone of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Malacca. Like numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites, particularly the core zone of the Malacca World Heritage Site, it faces several challenges, notably congestion from tourists, especially during weekends and extended holidays. While the surge in visitors boosts local revenue, it presents significant challenges for the original residents of the old town.

Primarily, the escalating rental costs force many original inhabitants to relocate, rendering it unaffordable to reside in the area. Additionally, alterations in the living environment, driven by the tourism-centric economy, contribute to the town losing its residential appeal. When economic activities predominantly revolve around tourism, the needs of the local population often become neglected, transforming the town into an inhospitable place for its original residents.

Beautiful heritage in Tengkera community.

Tengkera has managed to preserve its original lifestyle as it lies outside the core zone. The name Tengkera has its roots in the Portuguese word "Tranquerah," signifying "palisades." This area served as a crucial defense rampart for the city during the Portuguese era from 1511 to 1641.

Originally formed by fishermen from diverse ethnic backgrounds, including Malays, Javanese, and Acehnese, the community played a vital role in resisting Portuguese colonization and defending their land. Over time, additional ethnic groups such as Baba Nyonya and Kristang joined the community, contributing to its evolution into a richly multicultural society.

Presently, the residents of Tengkera continue to coexist harmoniously, transcending differences in ethnicity and religion. The community's ability to appreciate diversity and celebrate individual distinctions is evident in the stories shared by its residents. This valuable lesson extends beyond being Malaysian; it serves as a universal reminder for everyone around the world to embrace and celebrate differences.