The “Turtle Research and Rehabilitation Group” went to Setiu this morning to meet up with the teachers of SK Penarik to discuss some matters concerning the river terrapin project scheduled to take off later this month.

The location of the school is simply strategic, which is just across the road from the South China Sea. But of course the downside to this is that tables and chairs (any everything metal) needed to be replaced once too often as they become rusty very soon.

Right behind the school are a couple of traditional Malay houses that, despite being built with wood, still look as sturdy as ever.

And just behind the Malay houses is the Setiu river, one of the two river systems in Terengganu in which we conduct the river terrapin conservation project.

SK Penarik is quite a small school, with a student population of a little more than 100. There are 17 teachers, including the headmistress, three security guards and a couple of cleaning ladies and gardeners.

Despite being located just an hour from Kuala Terengganu, surprisingly, the villagers in Setiu do not have the luxury of owning a house phone. Apparently, the teachers said that the school is supplied with an electric generator to generate electricity to power the phone but the generator very often breaks down whenever electricity supply is interrupted. So needless to say, the school lacks a functional phone, a fax machine and obviously, internet connection.

In spite of this, SK Penarik is a proud school because its students represent the state of Terengganu in sailing. These students are good at something! Not bad for a humble little rural school, huh?