MV Doulos Homestay Programme

Bersatu was asked to organise a homestay programme for some of the Doulos crewmembers while the ship was docked in Brunei. And with the Nippon Maru giving Brunei a miss this year, we were happy to help. 90 crewmembers and their families were involved in the homestay programme over a period of 6 nights (homestay for only 2 days 1 night) beginning on the 27th October and ending on the 2nd of November.

The first night was hosted by the villagers from Kampong Subok. They had a welcoming ceremony and the morning after I joined the crewmembers and the villagers on a nice trek up Bukit Keramunting.

On the Sunday (28th October), the MV Doulos crew invited all the host families to the ship to show their appreciation for the host families.

Some host families at the Appreciation Ceremony


Visitors queuing to get onto the MV Doulos in the rain on Sunday



Ex-PYs with a Doulos crewmember from Mozambique trying to relive their days on the Nippon Maru.... (Norizan 01, Baim 01, Fakhri 04 and Wafiy 06)

With Joy (far right) and the captain

The 2nd and 3rd days of the homestay programme was held completely in Kampong Pudak with the help of the Kampong Pudak Consultative Council.

Some crewmembers trying their hand at berdondang

Host families and crewmembers at Kampong Pudak (2nd day)
Nell Fraley (USA) giving a hand with the washing up
Waiting for the boat to Kampong Pudak (3rd day)

The remainder (4th, 5th and 6th days) of the homestay programme was carried out by host families all over Brunei Muara and Tutong districts.

More ex-PYs (Nazmo 05, Mon 05, Var 05, Amal 02, Noor Aini 01/03, Hail 05, Mac 93) trying to relive their days on the Nippon Maru...

Many thanks to everyone who made the homestay programme a succesful and enjoyable one especially to Baim 01 (Kampong Pudak coordinator), Norizan 01(Kampong Subok coordinator) and Noor Aini 01/03

(Pictures courtesy of Baim 01)