Brunei

It was my first in-country course, 12 to 16 of June 2006. I, with Dr. Ida, went to conduct a course on using graphics calculator in enhancing teaching and learning secondary mathematics to Bruneian teachers.

The only person I expected to meet and see there was Mes Lina. She is a friend and co-participant in a course we had in RECSAM in 2004. Ironically the course was also about using graphics calculator. And there I met and saw her. Both of us recalled the time when we were just talking about the possiblity of me going and seeing her in her country. Who would have expected that it could happen so soon?

I met some wonderful people there: Nora, Mr. Hussein, Dr. Mila, Dr. Cora, Dr. Willy, Dr. Phayurno and his family, Joy, and all the beautiful people of SEAMEO VOCTECH. They were so warm and accommodating.

During the course, I had the opportunity of being with some of the Ministry officials and mathematics teachers. I enjoyed the course so much. Not only because it was my first ever outside of RECSAM but also because the participants were so enthusiastic and participative. They were so active and a bunch of happy creatures. There was no idle moment during that five days. I always found them either laughing at a slight provocation of a joke or giggling with something unknown to me. Well, they were just being funny.

We went to see much of the country. So green, so serene, so peaceful. A country with a population of just more than three hundred thousand. It is like a modern city in a forest. The country has successfully preserved the beauty of nature. We went to see the impressive Jerudong Park, the amazing 6-star Empire Hotel, the interesting museum, the marvelous mosques, the malls, the pasar malam where I tasted ciaoi with coconut water. Everywhere you looked, there are fascinating things to see. I was smitten by its beauty, the warmth of the people, thefresh scent of the air.

But what makes myvisit memorable was the boat ride with Mes along the water village. Stretching 8-km from end to end, the village is home to thirty thousand people andis a good example of tradition in existence.The water village is a time-honored tradition long before the country becomes what it is now. Houses standing on concrete stilts are in the water. The civilization startedfrom that humble beginning and is proud to showcase the world how it all began. People living in the water village are not poor. They are so in touch with the tradition that they preserve it. They live comfortably and harmoniously. Cars line the banks when residents have to leave them and travel on foot along the wooden planks to reach their homes. I had that opportunity of experiencing how it feels and I was glad of it.

I always thought that life from Brunei being a rich nation is easy. What with the government provide the people with free hospitalization, low tax, and such amenities not available in my own country. It is but proper that they benefit from these blessings. I once mentioned Nora that they are a blessed people and they are. Not because of oil but because they are a prayerful people. They hold on to their faith. Faith unites them. I always believe that if the people are united in faith then there is nothing impossible. Bruneians seem to enjoy most that life can offer but they are simply like us. They still hunger for more but not necessarily temporal things.

Two years after that conversation with Mes, the dream became a reality. It was indeed unexpected yet hoped for. That opportunity had thought me about so many things about people, tradition, culture, belief and myself. I believe that when you get in touch with people of the world you become one of them. You feel the way they do, you think the way they think, and you become one of them. I was in Brunei. I am happy to be one of them for a time.