Joniston (right) with Vijay (middle) and Petrus (right) at the event.
KIULU: A transformative community adoption initiative is making waves in three villages tucked in the idyllic countryside of Kiulu, aiming to uplift the lives of rural communities.
Spearheaded by the RYTHM Foundation in collaboration with Good Shepherd Services, the project focuses on bolstering education support and sustainable economic empowerment.
The villages involved in this programme are Kampung Ratau, Kampung Lokub and Kampung Talantang.
Kiulu Assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, who is a firm advocate for rural development, expressed his optimism for the programme’s impact during the closing of the Community Adoption Programme-Sabah Project at Kampung Lokub, here, today.
“Not only has the community adoption program instilled pride and resilience within our communities, but it has also empowered our villages to become more self-sufficient. This initiative signifies the transition towards a brighter future for Kiulu.
“We want to witness this profound shift through the two pillars of education and sustainable economic empowerment, ultimately paving the way for long-term progress and prosperity for our rural folks,” he said.
The project has benefitted 80 pupils of SK Lokub by emphasising education support and demonstrating a commitment to fostering well-rounded individuals within the community with mothers and youth serving as tuition teachers.
Furthermore, the Community Adoption Programme has spurred economic empowerment initiatives, particularly in the area of ecotourism.
“I understand that the programme has provided guidance and training to the youth from the three villages to plan and implement business plans for two years, promoting ecotourism activities in their respective villages.
“I hope that the villagers of Kampung Ratau, Kampung Lokub, and Kampung Talantang will mutually support and complement each other in terms of manpower, ideas, and resources to collectively promote ecotourism products.
“As Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister and Chairman of the Sabah Tourism Board, I will always fully support ecotourism initiatives in Kiulu because I believe in the importance of the tourism sector as an economic catalyst for the state of Sabah,” stressed Joniston.
He also commended the RYTHM Foundation and Good Shepherd Services for encouraging women’s participation in entrepreneurship, leading to ventures such as vegetable farms in Kampung Ratau, grocery stores in Kampung Talantang, photocopying services, and snack shops in Kampung Lokub.
Joniston highlighted the collaborative efforts of the three villages in developing ‘Kiulu Kio’ brand products such as ‘sambal liposu’ and ‘kerepek batang pisang’ (banana stem chips), expressing hope for these products to reach local markets and be promoted globally.
The RYTHM Foundation stands as the social impact arm of the QI Group company, a multinational conglomerate with interests in education, travel and leisure, direct selling, property development, and retail.
Present were Qi Company Executive
Chairman Datuk Seri Vijay Eswaran, RYTHM Foundation Chairperson Datin Seri Umayal Eswaran, Good Shepherd Services Board Director Datuk Petrus Gimbad, and Good Shepherd Services Executive Director Dr Janie Liew.
