MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING (ESB 4054) KK0970657

Coursework 1
Servay and interview two (2) people of diffrent race and religion. Write a report based on the following: i) ii) iii) iv) Historical family background and origins. Family streotyping and expectations. Family lifestyle, values, beliefs and interpersonal relationship behavior. As a counsellor, how would you handle this type of clients.

Page | 1

MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING (ESB 4054) KK0970657

Subject 1.
I chose to interview my best friend named Maria Taluma Vatubalawa. She was born on March 24, 1989 at their home in kg.Minawo Keningau. Subject 1 was brought up in families with cultural diversity as a result of the intermarriage of the parents. Subjeck 1 is the ninth child of ten sibling. Maria Taluma Vatubalawa known as Onna among their friends and relatives. Subject 1 receive her first education in primary schools located in their own Village namely, S.K Kg.Minawo Keningau. She did not receive education from kindergarten or nursery school such absence at the time. After graduating in the UPSR, she furthered her studies at Keningau High School for seven years, during the time, she has occupied an important examination that should be taken by all students in secondary schools in 2004, namely PMR, SPM on 2006 and STPM examinations two years after that. During her studying at secondary school, subject 1 commute house by riding with the school bus. After received her STPM result, she make a decision to continues her education in higher level, and now subject 1 is a student of bachelor of education majoring in commerce at the University Tun Abdul Razak intake July 2009, at the moment she is studying in 8th semester and will undergo practical in the next semester. According to the subject that I interview, Onna have been doing part-time work while awaiting the results of SPM and STPM. For me, Onna is a special friend to me because we have differences in ethnicity. Maria Taluma Vatubalawa as a Subject 1, is a native of the Timur-Kadazan which comes from the Keningau district. Although there are significant differences between us, especially in terms of skin color and culture, my friend has a special character. She is very friendly, open minded, brilliant and has ability in the field of electronics repair.

Page | 2

MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING (ESB 4054) KK0970657

1. Historical family background and origins. Father of subject 1, named Vatumalawa Bin Bolawa. He is the eastern descent that originated from Flores, Indonesia. He was born in early 1940 in the State of Indonesia and Christians religions since the birth. Based on general knowledge by subject 1 about her family history, subject 1 father moved in States of Sabah in the teens, to get a job at the insistence of a recession and factors of the disorder Indonesia Country at that time. When he arrived in the Sabah State, he was offered a job as a laborer in the logging sector located at Keningau district. After working for a several years, the father of subject 1 finally met with a local woman named Salah @ Saili Obah. Salah @ Saili Obah is a Kadazan ethnic from Membakut town, Sabah. She was born in a family that has not professed any belief or religion. A bond of their love leads to marriage. After marry, the mother of subject 1 finally professes Christianity after guided by her beloved husband. Then, mother subject 1 follows her husband to his work place in the logging areas. Nowadays, the logging areas finally became a beautiful village known as Kg.Merapok Keningau. Parents of subject 1, finally giving birth 10 children as a result in their marriage (figure 1). From the agreement and discussion from the villagers, family subject 1 has a legitimate a parcel of lands. At the age middle of fifth, Vatumalawa Bin Bolawa finally had given pensionable establishment. After that, together with other family members, they worked hard to exploit the land with farming to support their daily lives, they also grow a rubber plantation. In the middle of 1980, Vatumalawa Bin Bolawa has received legal status as citizens of Malaysia.

Page | 3

MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING (ESB 4054) KK0970657

2. Family streotyping and expectations. Family subject 1 is very concerned about their child education, like subject 1, their parents is really encouraged them to learn to achieve a high level. However, the constraints of the economic problems impede the desire of the older siblings to further their education. Parents also hope that the children were employed in the government sector to ensure a bright future This family is much emphasized about the limitations in interaction with others, especially in love. Children are not allowed to follow the pair to the house before having any such ties like engaged. The rationale for this action is, to family courtesy and avoids the perception of poor parents from the community. In their daily life, this family emphasizes that they should always work together to ensure the work is completed as a result of their tolerance. This is also a ways to show their responsibility among family members. In addition, they assume that whatever influence such as movies and internet technology is affecting their development of self and it is encourage them to trying something news. As such, they are not encouraged to be too obsessed with this entertainment. One of the stereotyping in this family is about barter system that still practiced in their communities at their own villages. The villagers believed that, barter system will give a benefit for villagers because crops or livestock are not shared by outsiders. 3. Family lifestyle, value, belief and interpersonal relationship behavior. Family lifestyle Family of subject 1 stay with the village community which is located 22km from the township of Keningau. As the long distance of journey from Keningau to their home, these families just hang out to buy essential items once in a week. Each day, parents of subject 1,

Page | 4

MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING (ESB 4054) KK0970657

particular out in early morning for rubber tapping in their rubber plantation if weather condition is allowed. Rubber tapping is a regular source of income for them. A child who has

been working also gave cost or money to their parents in the village. In addition, they feed and raised some animals such as chickens, cats and dogs. They do not planting a

paddy as other villagers because of the inability of energy after all children have their own life or other commitments. For example, those who are married and living together with their new family. While the other children migrated to another place to study and some of them is working. Subject 1 also is example that migrated to the city because of studying. However, all family members return to their house where they grow up and be joined at home with parents to celebrate the festival. Value Mutual respect and tolerance was the mainstay of family happiness. The members of family always take care of their behavior and expression so as not to interfere with other family members emotion. Beside that, their parents were always encouraging the children to

help relatives or other neighbors if they need the help in terms of money and energy. For example, while the wedding ceremony. Subject 1 as a teenage girl was also educated to not expose the private parts to wear sexy clothes and not allowed to drink alcohol. In addition, they can not issue harsh words against the elderly because the act was very rude. Overall, the child has to be educated and guided by both parents since their child. In terms of employment, the family members do not choose any kind of job as long as the job is not wrong in law and are paid accordingly. This was proven when, brothers of subject 1 is worked as an auto mechanic at the middle of Kota Kinabalu city.

Page | 5

MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING (ESB 4054) KK0970657

Belief Although the parents of subject are intermarriage, differences in beliefs in their life are the same. This is because the of father subject 1 Vatumalawa Bin Bolawa already live in the State of Sabah and belief is carrying by the wife dominate himself and its mixture on his life. Mother subject 1 that have belief in Bambarayon spirit celebrate Kaamatan festival that been held every May, even they do not planting a paddy. The Kaamatan festival is an annual event in the cultural life of the Kadazandusun of Sabah since time immemorial. In its deepest sense, Kaamatan festival is a manifestation of Creator and Creation relationship, as well as InterCreations relationship. It embodies the principal acts of invocation of divinities, appeasing, purification and restoration, re-union of benevolent spirits, and thanksgiving to the Source of All .in addition, the maternal inheritance of the family, believes that the marriage arranged by the parents will bring happiness in household children. Appointment to dating arranged by the parents was applied to the subject an eldest sister, but did not succeed because the sisters of the subject 1 already have their own choice of faith. Therefore, the planned marriage is not applied to the brother and youngest sister of the subject 1. In conclusion, the belief in this family limited of religious belief that their belonging. Interpersonal Relationship Behavior Differences in language of the parents cause the national language or malay language become a medium instruction for daily communication process in this family. A parent of subject 1 is still fluent in their native language but their does not inherited by the children. Based on my view of subject 1, she knows some of the language of their parents. Apart from that, family members, can speak formally and informally between their families. But still maintaining the

Page | 6

MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING (ESB 4054) KK0970657

values thought in their life. The most important thing is respect toward each others and maintaining their relationship between their family members. 4. As a counselor how would you handle this type of clients? As a counselor, we need to understand and try to learn their culture. We cannot judge the person from culture and religion perspective. All of us are same. Each of us has own culture and religion. And each culture and religion has own values and belief. So, we must accept them even who are them, what their culture and religion and try to understand their own belief and values. Accept them as well. The most important, as counselors we cannot differentiate our client even though they differ in term of culture and religion. Beside that, as counselors we must have awareness toward our client in term this issue. Culture and religion is not a big issue to talk this time. Try to make them aware each of them is unique because of their culture. We must understanding of how a persons culture may their values, behavior, beliefs and basic assumptions. And understand that not all people identify with their cultural or religious background. And lastly, as a counselor, the word empathic is one of feeling should have in every counselor. Empathic means the counselor will try to feel what a client feel. Its the ability to look outside of ourselves and be aware of the cultural values and customs of the culture we are in. What may be normal and acceptable to us, may be unusual or unacceptable in another culture. As a counselor, we must know our client feeling before we try to consult them.

Page | 7

MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING (ESB 4054) KK0970657

Subject 2.
The second person I was interviewed is Athirah Hadrah. She also takes a Bachelor Of Education in major of counseling. Athirah Hadrah also knowing as Tia among her friends was born on 15th Of December in 1989 currently she is 23 years old. Subject 2 was brought up in families with cultural diversity as a result of the intermarriage of the parents. Subject 2 lives in Beluran town, Sabah with her family since she was born. She had 2 siblings, where she is the youngest and the elders one is Athirah big brother. Her ethnic is Tidong Murut and her religion is Muslim. Subject 2, receive her early education at Sk. Pekan Beluran, and then she continues her secondary school at SMK Beluran Sabah. She sits all important exams namely PMR, SPM and STPM on the same school. From my first impression views of this subject 2, she is modern, have a high charisma and easy to adapt a new commonplace or situations. 1. Historical family background and origins. According to subject 2, I found that his fathers race is Tidung come from Labuk, Sandakan. Athirah fathers name is Hadrah Bin Sarman. Father of subject 2 was born on 04th of august 1952 and he is a muslim religion since he was born. Hadrah Bin Sarman is a former employee at the sector government in department of Public health. Father of subject 2, migrated to Beluran town because of job placement. Until now, their family is still living there. After his retire from the job, Hadrah Bin Sarman working at a political field. He is an assistant of ADUN on Beluran in party Barisan Nasional/UMNO and also working as a contractor class A. Parents of subject 2, was married after they were meet and have a date since their father attend a seminar at Keningau Town. Mothers of subject 2 name is Lunia Gindau which comes from Kg. Liawan Keningau Sabah. She was born at 06th of September 1969 and her ethnic is

Page | 8

MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING (ESB 4054) KK0970657

Murut. Athirah mother is a third child from 6 siblings in her family. According the knowledge of subject 2, one of her mother sibling is a son of previous married of her father. Before getting married, mother of subject 2 not profess any religion, but she finally profess a muslim religion after have been taught and guide by her lovely husband. Lunia Gindau is a housewife fulltime. The intermarried of subject 2 parents, giving birth two child. First child name is Royzad Bin Hadrah. He is also graduation from UNIRAZAK in Bachelor Of Administration. The first child is now working as a teacher at a SK Lidong, Beluran after attend and completed the KPLI course. He also already married last years. The second child is a subject 2 that I have been interviewed. 2. Family streotyping and expectations. Since her father is a political member and business man, their must understanding the needed of this career. Family members must awareness of their behavior towards other to avoid bad perceptions from another people. It is because; communities will look the behavior of their leader such as how his treat their children. This family also adopt an open attitude among them, and they also have the attitude that if there are any problems to discuss. In addition, children is really stresses or strict to not to tie any relationship couple before their complete their studying. This is because, parents believe relationship among teenagers only waste a time and giving a bad influence through their lesson. The parents in this family also giving a higher expectation from their child, for example subject 2 required to complete and get an excellent result when she graduation. Even her father is really busy, he never forget her responsible as a father. He always encouraged and gives advices to their son through her study.

Page | 9

MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING (ESB 4054) KK0970657

3. Family lifestyle, value, belief and interpersonal relationship behavior. Family lifestyle Their life style is a very simple but interesting. Everyday, mother of subject 2 wake up in early morning to fullfill a work as a mother. She also already taugh to their child to do the tasks in home to ensure the home is always clean and comfortable to live in. Therefore subject 2 is the only son of women of girl their usually do the duty to clean the entire area of their house together with her mother. In evening, subject 2 with her mother will clean their flower garden near their house. Another family lifestyle in this family is they must take a breakfast, lunch and dinner together. This is because, ate together will produce a good relationship among family members. In addition, family of subject 2 will going to her mother hometown at Keningau to visit their relatives. Usually their will going to his mother hometown when there was have a festival or ceremony. Family day also held once in a years on his father relatives. This is for make their relationship is more closely and their will knowing more each other. Value In term of value, the family practices a good relationship towards each other. Their have to collaborate, tolerance, love each others, mutual understanding, share any problem and they also taught to respect other tribes. These values were in the manure by their parents since they were small and are practiced by them until now. So, what is the problem come out in the house can they overcome because of these values. In addition, subject 1 was send to his parents to attend the Quran class at Beluran town during his childhood. This is for Athirah early exposition and education related to their religion. Based on my view of subject 2, she is really applied a taught of her religion (Muslimah).

Page | 10

MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING (ESB 4054) KK0970657

Belief The word belief means to a strong feeling that something is true or real. It also refer to an idea that you are certain is true, especially involving religion or politics. Even intermarriage is happen in this family, there only follow and applied the paternal belief. One of their beliefs is during the funeral ceremony. Where, when the family member who died or other neighbouring the deceased body maintain before being buried because stated body stride by animal for example cat-like. Apart from that, deceased family member clothing donated to poverty people. Besides that, during the preparation of wedding ceremony, the bridge cannot see their partner face or meet each other until the wedding ceremony begun. The rational of this belief is to ensure that married is blessed. Overall, the family of subject 2 is guide by their religion. Interpersonal Relationship Behavior According to the subject 2, her family communication is very good. Their use malay language to communicate each other at home. Her parents still fluent in their mother tongue, but not apply to their child. Athirah mother also really fluent the Tidung language since her surrounding or friends and neighbor is use Tidung language during communicate. Within this situation, we can see that, Tidung language is a second language to speak. This family also, maintaining the values during make a communicate each other. Their must respect toward each others and maintaining their relationship between their family members. For example, child cannot interrupt while eldest people are speaking. 4. As a counselor how would you handle this type of clients? To handle this type of clients, the counselor must understand about the background of clients. The counselor also must mastery about the knowledge of culturally skilled. They

Page | 11

MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING (ESB 4054) KK0970657

understand the worldview of their clients and they learn about their client cultural backgrounds. Skills and intervention strategies of culturally skilled also are several method to handle this clients. The effective counselors have acquired certain skills in working with culturally diverse populations. The counselor take pesponsibility for educating their clients to the way the thepapeutic process works, includingmatter such as goals, expectations, legal rights and the counselors orientation. Multicultural counseling is enhanced when practiotioners use method and strategies and define goals consistent with the life experiences and cultural values of their clients. Then, I must have awareness of my own cultural characteristics and how my cultural values and biases may affect minority clients. I also must have a wide range of verbal and non verbal respond skills and the skill to send and receive both accurate and appropriate verbal and non verbal messages. According to Welfel (1998) as a counselor also, I must avoid the failure to take culture into account in the therapeutic process and the failure to acknowledge intercultural variations and individual differences. As a conclusion, all the beliefs and practices are not the same as race and religion. Every religion and race has its own unique character, so all counselors need aware about this and be ready to face any kind of challenge related to the career as a counselor.

Page | 12

MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING (ESB 4054) KK0970657

Coursework 2
Write a comprehensive report of the following. i) Your personal values, culture, religion and ethnicity ii) Your parents ( father and mother) values, culture, religion and ethnicity iii) Comment on any similarities and differences.

Page | 13

MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING (ESB 4054) KK0970657

1. Your personal values,culture,religion and ethnicity. My name is Christabilla Sunggin, I was born on 18 July 1989, and I am 23 years old. I was the youngest in seventh siblings, five brothers and one sister. My family lived in Kg. Kaparingan Ranau, 5KM from Ranau Town. Individual values are the properties that we have in ourselves whether good values and bad, while culture is the usual means behavior or do we follow in our daily life, religion is the religion of our faith in either a religious Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, and others, further ethnic tribal means either we follow the tribe Dusun, Murut, Bajau, Chinese, and others. For me, I have personal values that influence from nature and nurture surrounding us. . For example, I am very independent and I dont like to burden other people. Maybe this is influence during my childhood, where my mothers go to work to support our daily life, since my father past away on the years I was born. Nowadays, my mother is retiring from his working and my brothers and sister that already working in government sector takes a responsibility to support our life. Until now I still trying to stand by my feet, and have a part time job during my study in the college. In addition, I have the responsibility and respect for older people. I will not deny the request of my parents when they need my help, though sometimes they have been reluctant to accept the trust of them, but, I will think of them when I bring up at different times in which they have struggled hard to raise me and form the character that I can continue my study into the ivory tower and have good values within myself. Furthermore, I always respected my parents and others who are around me, especially those who are older than I am.

Page | 14

MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING (ESB 4054) KK0970657

Then I always lend a hand to help my mother and sisters at home. We usually do the work in home together. It is also one of main point to strength our relationship in family. I also like do my assignment early to make sure I have more time to rest and make a revision for exam after all assignment is done and submitted. Culture is also one of the key elements that must be understood so that everyone can respect the cultural and racial others. As a Dusun ethnic, my maternal at my mother village, there were do activities such as planting paddy every year. So, since I childhood I was exposed to the life of gardening and farming because I always joint my cousin to go their farm.. In the field of religion, i was baptized in the church St. Peter Claver Ranau, the Roman Catholic Christian during I was two years old at the time. I have received the Sacrament of Sacraments reception and amplification in the same church by the Bishop on years 2003. My mother is really encouraging their child to joint any activities on the church, because this is a good way for us to motivated ourselves. Currently, I am going to church every Sunday at Church St. Mary immaculate, Bukit Padang to perform worship with my housemate. While, my ethnic was, my tribes are to follow Dusun tribe because I was influenced by my parents from an early age. When annual Harvest Festival held in my village, I will involve myself to joint the festival. As we now, in its deepest sense, Kaamatan festival is a manifestation of Creator and Creation relationship, as well as Inter-Creations relationship. It embodies the principal acts of invocation of divinities, appeasing, purification and restoration, re-union of benevolent spirits, and thanksgiving to the Source of All. Kaamatan festival is really colorful and interesting because there many contests will be held. Such as, traditional dress, whose complete

Page | 15

MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING (ESB 4054) KK0970657

with grade, shirts, pants, scarves, and accessories that are necessary in this Dusun clothing equipment.

2. Your parents (father and mother) values, culture, religion and ethnicity.
My father called Sunggin Gumpu and came from the Kg. Pinousuk Ranau, while my mother was named Lucy Kinsui and came from the Kg. Ruhukon Ranau. My father was died on 07 March 1989 during he is 37 years old. While, my mother was born on 13 March 1960 currently she is 52 years old. After my parents married, my parents migrated to Kg. Kaparingan since we have base or pieces land to build a house. Until now, we lived happily in this beautiful and harmony village. My parents have their own value. They have significant differences in terms of value in themselves. But I really not clear about my father because I never lived with him. In my mother story and my view from paternal, my father is really good person. He dont like make a prejudices towards other and he is very responsible to their family. Besides that, my father is very romantic man and very loves their child. For example, if my mother angry to his child then my father will protect them. Meanwhile, my mother is also a very hardworking person to support our lives. Even she already retires in his job. He still plant and grow a vegetables near our house. Besides that, my mother is raising pets, such as chickens and dogs. As a child, I am very proud of my mother. She have a very good attitude even sometimes she is very strict. I am a last child and I am only one who still studying, so I can see that my mother really encourage and support my life. She always trying to fulfill my equipment even she also is insufficient.

Page | 16

MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING (ESB 4054) KK0970657

In the field of culture, my mother has a very good culture. According to my knowledge, my mother had to follow my grandparents into the fields during childhood. My mother has been exposed to farming activities since childhood by his family. Besides that, during my mother childhood, their life is very poor. Their just eat a tapioca roots and not allowed go to school. My mother also wakes in early morning to feed the chicken and heating the water for our breakfast. Then, she will lie down of the sofa while listening to the radio Dusun language. Accordingly, in terms of religion, my parents profess a Christian Roman Catholic religion. They profess this religion before their married. Based on my mother story, there is Christian religion after received the teaching from foreign missioner on early years 1970. Even my mother often goes to the church to pray and do what is required as a Christian religion. My mother is still influence by believe the existence of spirit and soul in our environment. She believes that each illness is created and influence from the spirit that was angry because of our behavior. For example, we cutting down the tree that the spirit is lived on the tree. Until now, ethic Dusun Influence my mother life. My mothers continue the heritage handed down from their ancestors, which, following the tribal Dusun Harvest Festival which is held in each may in a year. Even we do not planting a paddy. Sometimes, my mother will wear traditional Dusun tribes to enliven the atmosphere of the Harvest Festival. Usually my mother will drink alcohol with his friends known as a Tapai, Lihing and Siopon. In addition, when they turn up, or some among us who are married, my mother and my uncle and aunt, will impose this costume themselves as beautiful decorations for the ceremony Huminodun become more attractive and traditional fathers will not be out of date.

Page | 17

MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING (ESB 4054) KK0970657

3. Comment on any similarities and differences.

Category Value

Father Good interactions with others. Always care about their family Romantic person and lovely

Mother A kind person and very strict/discipline Hardworking independent Caring child Full of responsible as leader in a family towards their and

My self Independent Respect older people Hardworking and like to lend a hand to

another people

Born as a dusun as race

Born as dusun as race

Born as dusun as race Believe that, life

Culture

Hunting animal and lived in the middle of forest.

Encouraged their child to school until achieve the highest level. Believe animism before Learn Christian religion knowledge from foreign missioners.

without knowledge is like death before died. Born as a Christian religion Believe the spirit of nature

Believe animism before Learn Christian religion knowledge from foreign

Religion

missioners.

Believe the spirit of nature

Page | 18

MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING (ESB 4054) KK0970657

Ethnicity

Use Dusun language to communicate. Attend and joint the

Used Dusun and Malay language communicate. Attend and joint the Kaamatan festival. Drink alcohol made to

Used Dusun, Malay and English language to

communicate. Attend and joint the Kaamatan festival. Not expose and

Kaamatan festival. Wear traditional clothes during the festival. Drink alcohol made from traditional method is a tradition activity.

from traditional method is a tradition activity.

encouraged to drink any kind of alcohol. Wear the modern

clothes to attend any kind of festival. So,we are not left behind in modernization.

In conclusion, I have values, cultures, religions, and ethnicities of its own, as well as my parents; they also have the values, cultures, religions, and ethnicities of its own. However, there are some similarities between the three of us, whether similarities between me and my mother and my father. A similar situation can be seen with my father in a number of similarities can be seen in between us. In this regard, we also have some differences in terms of religion, culture, and our personal values, whether between me and my mother, or between me and my father. Even so, our family tried to understand each other so that we can produce a harmonious and happy family despite living in large families.

Page | 19