Community adoption brings positive change in Kiulu
TUARAN: The Community Adoption Programme, which aims to empower and improve the quality of life of rural communities, has had a positive impact on three villages in Kiulu near here.
Led by the RYTHM Foundation in collaboration with Good Shepherd Services, the project emphasises educational support and sustainable economic empowerment in Kampung Ratau, Kampung Lokub, and Kampung Talantang.
Sabah Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Joniston Bangkuai expressed his confidence in the impact of the programme during the closing ceremony of the programme in Kampung Lokub which is located about 60 km from Tuaran town.
“This programme instills a sense of pride and resilience in our community, and also empowers our villages to become more self-reliant. This is a transition towards a brighter future for Kiulu.
“Of course, we want to see this significant shift through the two main elements of education and sustainable economic empowerment which ultimately paves the way for long-term progress and prosperity for the rural population,” he said when speaking at the ceremony officiated by Qi Group Executive chairman Datuk Seri Vijay Eswaran.
Joniston said in terms of educational support, the project had benefited 80 students of SK Lokub and emphasised the commitment to nurture individuals in the community by involving youth and mothers as tuition teachers.
“Furthermore, this Community Adoption Programme also drives economic empowerment initiatives, particularly in the field of ecotourism.
“I hope the residents of Kampung Ratau, Kampung Lokub, and Kampung Talantang will support and complement each other in terms of energy, ideas, and resources to jointly promote ecotourism products,” he said, adding that,” he said.
As the Kiulu state assemblyman and Sabah Tourism Board chairman, Joniston said he would fully support ecotourism initiatives in Kiulu as he believed in the importance of the tourism sector as an economic catalyst for the state of Sabah.
He also commended the RYTHM Foundation and Good Shepherd Services for emphasising the involvement of women in entrepreneurship, where participants have managed vegetable gardens in Kampung Ratau, grocery stores in Kampung Talantang, and photocopy services and pastry sales in Kampung Lokub.
Joniston also emphasised the collective efforts of the three villages in developing ‘Kiulu Kio’ brand products such as liposu sambal and banana stem crisps.
He expressed hope that these products would reach the local market and be promoted globally.
The RYTHM Foundation is a social impact initiative of the QI Group, a multinational conglomerate with interests in education, tourism, direct selling, real estate development and retail.
RYTHM Foundation chairman Datin Seri Umayal Eswaran, Good Shepherd Services board member Datuk Petrus Gimbad, and Good Shepherd Services executive director Dr Janie Liew were also present at the ceremony.