Sabah: The Inspiration Behind Our Community Work
Malaysia’s economic growth has been remarkable, but large, mostly rural states like Sabah, remain falling behind.
Rural Sabah faces significant challenges, including low household incomes, inaccessibility to basic needs, underdeveloped infrastructure, and widespread rural poverty. These issues force vulnerable, disconnected rural families to struggle to survive every day, emphasizing the need for sustainable solutions to improve their livelihoods.
Addressing these grassroots issues such as rural poverty, higher inflation, and inadequate infrastructure not only uplifts local communities, independently paving their way for a more sustainable future, but also supports Malaysia’s broader goals of balanced growth and equal opportunities. Our NGO drives long-term, sustainable progress for these underserved communities, leaving no Malaysian behind.
Overview of Our Project Area: Kota Belud
Our project area is situated in Kota Belud, one of Malaysia's most poverty-stricken districts, located in the state of Sabah, Malaysia. It is approximately 68 km from the capital city of Kota Kinabalu. Home to a population of over 100,000 residents, the vast district is known for its scenic spots and diverse ethnic communities, including the KadazanDusun.
The Kadamaian area of Kota Belud is located around the foothills of Mount Kinabalu, with numerous villages scattered throughout its mountainous terrain - difficult to access due to underdeveloped roads. Many of its rural residents fall below the poverty line (B40 community) and live unsustainable livelihoods.
Below is a map pin-pointing our project location, along with key data we’ve collected over the years from our NGO's community initiatives.
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74 Poverty-Stricken Villages Scattered Across Kota Belud
Over 74 underdeveloped villages are scattered across Kadamaian's rugged mountainous terrain, making access to essential resources challenging and increasing living costs due to long distances from Kota Belud town.
Residents living in deep poverty struggle to meet basic daily needs, impacting their overall quality of life and economic stability.
Daily Struggles Of Meeting Essential Basic Needs
Over 50% of rural villages in Kota Belud lack access to basic essentials like clean water and fertile soil, putting vulnerable families at significant risk.
Geographical isolation, limited public services, and poor road access worsens daily struggles for rural families, making survival in rural Kota Belud an ongoing challenge.
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Rural Poverty Driven By Socioeconomic Challenges
On average, a rural Kota Belud household of five earns a monthly income of RM 550, insufficient to cover basic needs amid rising living costs. This limits access to healthcare and education, trapping families in a cycle of poverty.
These socioeconomic challenges worsen food insecurity, widen income gaps, and jeopardize future generations.
Gaining Insight into Our Rural Community
Over the years, our charity has immersed ourselves working in Sabah's rural communities, collecting valuable data to gain a clearer understanding of who our beneficiaries are, their lives, and the unique challenges they face before joining our initiatives.
This allows us to tailor and implement feasible, practical solutions that directly address the needs of each rural community we work with, driving lasting positive change for families to thrive.