According to KSO president, Murphy Wasisang, members of the organization had decided to initiate a regular cleaning up of the hamlets as a way to revive traditions, which have been slowly pushed aside.
“Prior to state governments,” Wasisang said, “community members were the caretakers of the villages, especially public areas. These days, it seems, our reliance on the state government has become the norm. We want to bring back the spirit of volunteerism and community cohesion.”Members of KSO, along with a number of residents – ranging from school-aged children to senior citizens – cleaned all of the graffiti and stains off of the rails that line the main roads of the hamlets as well as cut grass and other plant growth along the sides of the roads.Wasisang said that the volunteers had begun cleaning the vicinity of Tilorch – Mengallakl water dam – but were not able to complete their work.“We hope to complete the area before the end of the week,” he said. “We will take a break for the Christmas holidays; but we will definitely resume our work as early as the second week of January 2009.”Wasisang said that he and members of the organizations are grateful for everyone who contributed to the project. Moreover, he said those who had made donations – monetary and in kind – have turned a “flicker into a flame” and in a sense, they have fueled the group’s interest to revive and relive the traditions of the past.KSO currently has about 20 members. Its officers are: Murphy Wasisang, president; Douglas Ngiratrang, vice-president; Dwelyn Ngirailild, secretary; and Aberlynn Ngiruos, treasurer.KSO, according to Wasisang, hopes that their project will entice citizens of state to be willing to volunteer to take active roles in promoting cooperation and service for the good of everyone.
