b'Soroptimist International had nurtured good relations in the region: SI Damansara provided Work Readiness training to young people in Sarawak and Sabah over three years, whilst SI Kota Kinabalu worked with residents in Kampung Gana on a village kindergarten, and adult literacy classes for women. A youth group from Long Tanyit approached Soroptimists hoping for assistance with many of the services that they lacked access to, such as clean drinking water, electricity, and medical services. Objectives to participate in all phases of the project The SI Presidents Appeal was an opportunityto establish ownership and increase to address the gaps in services in both Longempowerment, with learning-by-doing Tanyit, and Kampung Gana. The project wouldagain determined as a valuable strategy. deliver clean water to the two communities,Educational partnerships were nurtured, with improving health and well-being whilstfive girls studying for a diploma at the Welding increasing opportunities to generate incomeAcademy, each receiving a loan of RM7,000 through the cultivation of lands. The projectto fund their course, with additional funding would help preserve the biodiversity throughsupplied by Soroptimists.sustainable organic farming, and the villagersThe existing dam was upgraded, and the would be empowered through education andrainwater harvesting systems were installed, vocational training. together with gravity-fed water pipes which Commencing in April 2018, Soroptimistwould connect homes to a steady supply of clean International Region of Malaysia (SIROM)water for drinking and cooking. 15,000 litres established a committee consisting of memberswould be available at any given time, invaluable of six Soroptimist clubs: SI Damansara, SI Kotato the villagers and the day-to-day lives during Kinabalu, SI Kuching, SI Bangsar, SI Shah Alamdrought season. and SI Petaling Jaya.Skilled contractors provided technical support in setting up of clean water systems and women were taught the fundamentals of good hygiene and sanitation. Further training covered water conservation, organic composting and organic pesticides, together with an understanding of market skills, product distribution channels, and transport.Sites were identified for organic farming, and decisions made regarding preferred crops and the division of labour. Pipes were laid to Above: The project addressed SDGs 1,2,3,4,5, and 6 irrigate the fields, and fencing put up to protect In Action and secure farmland from wild animals and poachers. A pilot project was set up in Long Tanyit, andGreenhouses were constructed, and seeds and replicated in Kampung Gana. Soroptimistsnetting purchased and the women of Kampung established a water committee, andGana planted an array of vegetables including assigned roles and responsibilities for projectspinach, leafy greens, cabbage, tomatoes, chili, management and fundraising.corn and yams. An oyster mushroom farm was Sponsorship was received from Heinekenalso established. Villagers in Long Tanyit cleared Malaysia, who helped fund a gravity watertwo plots of land (4-5 acres) creating their own system in Kampung Gana, whilst villagers,organic farm. A greenhouse was erected to particularly women, were encouragedplant and protect seedlings whilst plans are in place to build a shelter for the women, and to store farming equipment. soroptimistinternational.org 27'