Water at Their Doorsteps, Finally

By Julia Chan

KOTA KINABALU: The village folk of Kampung Tudan and Kampung Tongou in Ranau, at the foothills of Mount Kinabalu, are living easier these days: they no longer have to trek many kilometres to fetch water.

They have Coca-Cola Malaysia and Raleigh International to thank for this.

The project that has given the subsistence farmers of Kampung Tudan (250 people) and Kampung Tongou (350 people) a lifeline is a gravity water feed system that allows fresh water to be stored and delivered almost straight to their doorsteps.

“To have water that is a five minute walk away is a prayer answered. It is one of the most important things that we have wanted, besides road access and a school,” said Kampung Tongou village chief Waili Danting.

The two villages were identified and referred to the Britain- based youth charity organisation, which sent teams of 12 volunteers, or “venturers” to the area to help put the system in place.

Funded by Coca-Cola Malaysia, which has contributed about RM140,000 to Raleigh projects in Sabah, the venturers set to work digging shallow trenches, laying rocks, putting in pipes and creating a dam to make the gravity water feed system work efficiently.

“It was gruelling work, but enjoyable as we worked alongside the local people who were not only friendly, but took it upon themselves to take up the toughest tasks, like carrying rocks and heavy material uphill,” said Andrew Cottrill, project manager at Kampung Tudan.

“We also had the honour of attending a wedding ceremony, which was a real eye-opener, and got to teach English songs like Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes to the schoolchildren,” said venturer Tilly Morgan.

The venturers were even invited to stay at the villagers’ homes, which was a treat compared to sleeping on the cold hard floor of the community hall.

For the Kampung Tongou team, being woken up at 4.30am by the sounds made by various domestic animals was the toughest part.

“But the hospitality and friendliness shown by the local people more than made up for any hardship. We were constantly being invited to their homes, given food and invited to play football with them.

“One family even invited us to watch the Beijing Olympics opening at their house,” said Daniel Twort, the project manager for the team.

“But, one of the most memorable experiences was fishing for little fish and river eels. They were slippery and squirmed out of your hands so fast. It was very exciting,” he said.

The project was completed by both teams in three weeks.

Separate launching ceremonies were held at the villages, which were attended by Raleigh’s country director Jim Clements and Coca- Cola Malaysia director of Public Affairs and Communications Mohamed Kadri Mohd Taib.

“We’re very pleased with the results. These communities had an unreliable water supply.

“The local folk welcomed us, helped with the work to build the system and learned how to maintain it as a sustainable solution to their water requirements,” said Clements.

(c) 2008 New Straits Times. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.