The Rotaract Club of Likas Bay led by President Esther Chong, organized a 9-day joint project together with Rotaract Club of National University of Singapore (NUS) led by their organizing chairperson, Chan Yin Tat recently.
There were 16 Rotaractors from NUS participated in this joint project. The aim of this joint project is to assist our community and to understand Sabah’s culture and its magnificent nature more in-depth.
Members of Rotaract Club of Likas Bay have warmly welcomed NUS Rotaractors’ arrival via Terminal 2. The following day, Rotaract Club of NUS visited three of the five islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, namely Pulau Manukan, Pulau Sapi and Pulau Mamutik for its eminent crystal clear waters and beautiful corals . According to their chairperson, Chan Yin Tat, it was a breathtaking experience that they would definitely visit Kota Kinabalu for another round.
On day-3, the Rotaractors headed to Sabah Tea Garden at Ranau. With its sprawling tea plantation surrounded by pristine rainforests, a mere 2-hour drive from Kota Kinabalu, the Rotaractors from both Clubs get to experience local communities’ olden days living style by staying at traditional long house with variety of recreational activities, which is a course on basic jungle survival skills, obstacle-crossing in the Sapaon Recreational Area, embarking on a night walk to check out the unique insect life, and also a tea factory and plantation tour.
On day-4, the Rotaractors fancy something more unique than an average spa and stop by Kampung Luanti, Ranau for a fish massaging session before head off for a home-stay program. This fish massage ‘spa’ at “TAGAL”, Sg. Moroli, Ranau is managed by the Kampung Luanti JKK. In the Local Kadazandusun dialect, ‘tagal’ means ‘no fishing’, and the main purpose of the ‘tagal’ is to preserve the environment as well as the ecosystem to benefit the future generation. ‘Ikan Pelian’ or Malaysian Masheer comes from the family of Cyprinidae. These fishes are specifically trained by the villagers to perform the healing massage activities. President Esther noted that “The fish were bigger than we have expected yet the clean and refreshing river is undoubtedly a selling point for Sabah Tourism industry”.
The Singapore Rotaractors stayed for a night at Hot Spring Homestay located in Nampasan Village which has given an opportunity for them to get know more about local people culture and tradition as well as to meet local people closely. And the activities consist of testing local cuisine, trying out traditional dance, familiarizing the local music, learning the daily life activities. These foreign Rotaractors stayed with the warm and friendly hospitality Dusun family, the biggest ethnic in Sabah. A visit to Kinabalu Park will never be perfect without swinging by Poring Hot Springs. They have also taken the opportunity to de-stress and soak away the sores and aches of muscles in the spring’s hot sulphuric minerals, deemed to have healing properties and very popular among the locals.
On day-5, NUS Rotaractors took up the challenge of climbing the spectacular Mount Kinabalu. Climbing Mt. Kinabalu is a different experience for each person, but what makes most people succeed above all, is perseverance. The group had conquered up to Sayat-Sayat and forced to turn back due to heavy downpour, their organizing chairperson, Chan Yin Tat, stated that they will definitely arrange another trip to Sabah for this Mount Kinabalu Climbing’s challenge.
On day-7, the Rotarators have a brief fellowship with Rotaract Club of Institut Sinaran and Rotaract Club of Kota Kinabalu at a local seafood restaurant. With the major seafood suppliers in Kota Kinabalu, restaurant owners have made use of this opportunity to set up many seafood restaurants in the past decades. Today it is not surprised that seafood is one of the most popular food in Kota Kinabalu. One of the beauties of having seafood in Kota Kinabalu is that the freshness is ensured. The organizing chairperson, Chan Yin Tat, added that, “there is a saying that visiting Kota Kinabalu is not complete without tasting its wonderful seafood.”
On day-8, these young adults obtained the support from Hospital Likas, led by Sister Maureen, to have a pre-Christmas celebration with Thallasemia Children from 10am to 3pm. Thallasemia is a group of inherited diseases of the blood that affects synthesis of hemoglobin (molecules found in our red blood cells that are necessary for transporting oxygen troughout the body), resulting in anemia. The purpose of this project is to create hope and to convey message to these under-privileged children that the society cares about them. Most importantly, they have to cherish their lives and thus, the Rotaractors were there to create such hope. A line up of games and Christmas caroling session were provided during this visit.
Other than services, food and Christmas gifts were also distributed to all Thallasemic children during that day. Each Thallasemic kid receives a KFC lunch box, Vico Drinks & a nicely packed gift sponsored by Rotaract Club of Likas Bay and Rotaract Club of National University Singapore. The gifts were very well-thought in accordance to their age group to ensure that they are useful and educational. The President of Rotaract Club of Likas Bay, Esther Chong expressed her sincere thanks to KK Toy Sdn Bhd, Ming Kiang Stationery, Alliance C & F, Vico and KFC Sdn Bhd for making the event more meaningful and success.
Other than KFC’s lunch box, their popular chicken mascot was also present to cheer up children especially to those who were having blood transfusion that day. President Esther also added that, “Our Club will exercise more blood donation campaign in the near future as we found out that these children are always shortage of blood supply after the visit.” She also urged the society to volunteer themselves as a regular blood donor to save more lives.
Day-9 witnessed the departure of the members of Rotaract Club of National University of Singapore (NUS), both clubs, Likas Bay and NUS conveyed their gratitude to both Sponsoring Club, Rotary Club of Likas Bay and Rotary Club of Singapore West for making their dreams real and to make this joint project a success and experiential.
