Protect Coral Reefs in Malaysia

In year 2022, our team on Mantanani Island has successfully prevented more than 52,000kg wastes from ending up polluting the island and its surrounding environments. With the recycling collection centre (Mantanani Plastic Recycling Centre) on the island, which was established in 2018 and run by our team together with members of the local community, recyclable materials such as plastic bottles were compacted before being packed and sent out of the island to recycling centre on mainland. Every month, our team collected around 4,000 to 6,000 plastic bottles, especially PET bottles. Other recyclable materials such as glass bottles, cans, metals and electrical wastes were also sent out of the island to be recycled. Food waste on the other hand was composted on the island for fertiliser, which will be used by the locals in their community farming.

Kampung Song-Song, located in Kota Belud, Sabah, has been identified as one of the poorest villages around the area. In order to empower the women in the village, the Pertubuhan Wanita Kampung Song-Song (WANIS), a women's association, was established in June last year. Organisational management courses were conducted online and the association was formally registered 2 months later. The Community Learning Centre was also established a month later.

Few months back, 20 ladies from WANIS participated in a 3-day sewing course conducted by Smart Skill Academy Kota Belud, the same trainer we engaged for Basic Sewing Course that was conducted last year. During this recent training, the ladies were taught skills to make tote bag, make-up bag, headband and facemask. After completion of the course, the ladies were planning to develop tote bag and facemask.

Other than the sewing course, 10 ladies from WANIS joined a 2-day 1-night study trip to Sabah Muzeum and Koperasi Kraftangan Batu Lunguyan. The aim of the Sabah Muzeum visit was to show the ladies Sabah’s rich history and culture. The main objective of the study trip was to visit Koperasi Kraftangan Batu Lunguyan for knowledge exchange. The team was welcomed by Renny who shared Batu Lunguyan’s community-lead handicraft making venture – how and when they started, how they manage their business, as well as their successes and challenges. The ladies from WANIS in return shared how WANIS was formed and the handicraft that they are producing. After the visit, the ladies from WANIS were discussing what other products they can produce.

Improving the livelihood and capacity of local communities is an effective way to lift them out of poverty. We hope that this programme will equip them with necessary skills to generate sustainable income and ultimately uplifting the lives of the Song-Song village community.