Budding poet eager to publish her work

Kota Kinabalu: Only 15, Serena Bridget is a budding poet who has set her sights on producing an anthology in English entitled "Through The Eyes Of Children", which will be a collection of poems from Youth of The Land Below The Wind.Anticipated to contain 40 best English poems collected from 20 children and teenagers around Sabah, it is a most apt and timely initiative, given the Government's ongoing effort to strengthen the use of English among Malaysian students of all levels.

With Mum Jiliah Situn's blessing, and permission and moral support from her Principal, Nurani Fauziah Derin, the poetically talented Form Three student of SMK Datuk Peter Mojuntin envisions her maiden endeavour as an income-generating activity for their upcoming Teenage Poem Club as well as a charitable cause, when asked on the objective of her innovative idea and noble intention.

Former Director of the Sabah Museum, Datuk Jamdin Buyong, himself a veteran local writer cum poet, has agreed to be the adviser to the Club whose members will comprise 20 selected poem contributors. The Club will have its own Facebook account called TOE (Through Our Eyes).

"Without their backing, I would not have made it this far," said Serena whose aspiration is for the anthology to be published before December this year. "I also hope it will be in circulation inside and outside the State by next year."

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Her proposal is that 30pc of the proceeds that will be generated from the sale of the anthology will be in aid of poor children in Sabah, either in the form of opening a savings account for selected children, repairing minor school amenities such as toilets or libraries or organising a children's handicraft market in a selected district or school where poor kids can learn how to generate money from handicraft-making activities.

"The rest of the profit will be shared among the 20 poem contributors. If possible, some money may be put aside to organise a young people talent-based programme in the future," she added.

Towards making her vision a reality, Serena is inviting children and teenagers embracing a similar passion and aged 12 to 17 (preferably students studying in KK area) to compose and contribute two poems each for the anthology.

"The poem's theme must be based on the realities of life and it could be about any subject such as places, history, people, culture, events, daily life, siblings, parents or anything provided it is related to Sabah or the people of Sabah.

But please avoid sensitive issues.

"And the length of each poem should appropriately accommodate an A4 size paper in Font 12.

Please send the poems to me by July 30 this year through the proposed Club's email address (that is, [email protected]) or through Facebook messenger," she explained, adding each poem must be originally created by the prospective contributor.

According to Serena, there will be a panel (of which Jamdin is the Adviser) to select the best 40 poems from 20 young people for the collection.

Poems aside, the anthology will also briefly feature each Bumiputera ethnic group in Sabah, including the State's handicraft market and homestay facilities, among other attractions.

In this regard, Serena is also inviting all ethnic associations in Sabah to contribute articles about their ethnic and cultural background, festive celebrations and interesting places in the respective districts where the majority of indigenous people live.

"Please send each article together with two relevant pictures to me through the club's email address.

The deadline is also July 30," she said.

Serena welcomes assistance from kind sponsors for the printing of the anthology. "If there is anyone out there willing to sponsor, I would be very happy if I can be personally contacted through the club's email or through my Mum's email address, [email protected] and HP 0165882300," she enthused.

Jiliah, who will lend a helping hand in gathering relevant information, said the anthology will be an interesting masterpiece because the poems will capture how the young people of Borneo see the world.

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"This is a novelty as it has never been done before. As they grow older, they will understand why the world will be much different," she said.

To add colour to the anthology, Jiliah added, there will be additional information on Sabah ethnic groups, cultures and traditions, among other aspects, which are good for educational and tourism purposes.

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