CIKGU Ben Zaid's journey as an educator unfolds amidst the rugged terrains and lush landscapes of Pos Balar in Kelantan.
Each weekend, he embarks on a 60-kilometre odyssey together with his colleagues, traversing rough timber roads and jungle trails on motorcycles to reach the remote Temiar Orang Asli community.
ROUGH JOURNEY
This arduous journey, which typically takes around three hours in favourable weather, becomes even more daunting during the rainy season, which may stretch up to 10 hours.
Despite the challenges, Cikgu Ben Zaid, fondly known as "Cikgu Offroad" on social media, remains steadfast in his mission to impart knowledge and uplift the lives of his pupils.
The Bahasa Melayu teacher's dedication is evident since the day he stepped foot at SK Balar deep in the forests of Kelantan in early 2021. He is fully committed to imparting knowledge and fostering the academic growth of his pupils.
DAILY ROUTINE
Beyond the classroom, his daily routine is a blend of teaching, camaraderie and leisure activities.
"We do everything at school. Mornings are dedicated to teaching, followed by a brief respite in the afternoon. In the evening, we enjoy playing sports and other fun activities with the pupils.
"The atmosphere at Pos Balar resembles my hometown. Watching my pupils play traditional games brings back memories of my own childhood and makes me feel nostalgic.
"This experience shows how strong I am mentally and how I can handle challenges in remote areas," said Cikgu Ben.
SOCIAL MEDIA STORY
His journey into content creation started with the urge to share the beauty and uniqueness of Pos Balar through social media platforms, such as YouTube and TikTok.
Recognising the scarcity of content and the exceptional nature of his teaching experience deep in the interior of Peninsular Malaysia, it would have been a missed opportunity not to share them with the world.
"When I first step into Pos Balar, I know there is 'something' unique about this place. "The culture, community, lush greenery and colourful scenery are just incredible. I feel like it would be such a waste not to share what I experienced," said Cikgu Ben.
Armed with an action camera, he started recording the essence of his journey, with an aim to inspire others to embrace the spirit of adventure and storytelling.
BUILDING TRUST
Amidst the breathtaking landscapes lies a myriad of challenges. The shy nature of the Temiar Orang Asli pupils posed an initial hurdle for Cikgu Ben, requiring patience and empathy on his part to gain their trust and rapport.
"You really have to push yourself out of your comfort zone. Show them you're just like them, and they will gradually open up and accept you.
"They are obedient, attentive to instructions and show full respect to their teachers. I treat them like my own children," he said.
The bond formed between Cikgu Ben and his pupils is incredibly strong and enduring. Fostering connections through shared activities and immense patience plays a role in building trust and mutual respect.
Moreover, the rugged terrain and unpredictable weather demand constant vigilance, especially on his motorcycle journeys.
Regular repairs and maintenance become essential, ensuring the reliability of his trusted "companion" in traversing through thick forests and river crossings.
"What I feared the most during my journey to Pos Balar is wild animals. You never know when they might appear," he said.
A BETTER RIDE
Recently, Aveta Malaysia, a prominent local motorcycle manufacturer, assembler and distributor, had generously donated three Aveta Ranger Max Explorer all-terrain bikes to support Cikgu Ben Zaid and two of his colleagues in their mission to educate the Orang Asli.
The handover ceremony, themed "Off-Road Education Outreach: Teachers Rally with Aveta", took place at Royale Chulan Hotel in Mutiara Damansara, Petaling Jaya.
"Despite the challenges along the way, education is crucial for our country's advancement. I'm thankful for the support from my channel subscribers and Aveta Malaysia, which enables us to focus on our teaching duties," said Cikgu Ben.
"I would encourage anyone inspired by my journey, especially new teachers assigned to remote schools, to embrace the opportunity and gain valuable experience.
"You never know what you might discover there, and curiosity should be the starting point for your teaching journey," he said.
"The videos I created are primarily motivational, and my slogan is always 'Yang kental pasti sampai!'
"I believe everyone possesses inner strength; it's simply a matter of whether you choose to harness it or not," he added.