Phase 1 & 2: Bengkoka Living Water
Phase 1 & 2: Bengkoka Living Water
Borneo Ecotourism Solutions & Technologies Society (BEST), ConocoPhilps and independent oil and gas exploration and production company and Sky community (SIB Skyline) are initiating a joint-community project in Bengkoka, in the Pitas District on the northern part of Borneo. The newly launched rainwater collection system project provides an alternatives source of drinking and cooking water to the villages along the Bengkoka River. At present , the villagers use local springs of water which involve spending a great deal of hours each day collecting water from the Bengkoka River during dry season. Ironically, with the increasing growth of palm oil plantations further upstream, the water is now deemed unsuitable for consumption due to pollution from pesticides and fertilizers used in plantations as well as soil erosion.The first phase of the project kicked off at Kg. Lugu on 8th September 2012 to supply 16 water tanks each with a capacity of 400 gallons. Kelvin Atkinson, representing Mark Wheeler, the President of ConocoPhilips Malaysia, handed over a check of RM25,280.00 to BEST Society Chairman, Albert Teo to fund this project. Also present at the handover ceremony were Mrs. Atkinson (Sue), community leader oF Kg. Lugu, volunteers from BEST Society and Sky Community.
“The timely financial support from ConocoPhilips reflects the company’s active particiation in various philanthropic projects by donating time, skills and providing financial support to the communities in which they do business” said Mr. Wheeler in his letter to BEST Society. He added that “The company recognize that the most effective corporate philanthropic is achieved by entering into strategic partnerships with agencies and organizations that serve the community”.
All in all, phase 1 and phase 2 of the projcts will benefit the residents of Kg. Lugu and Kg. Pandan respectively, where a total of 25 families or 270 people will have the privilege to enjoy cleaner supply of water. Several villagers who were at the ceremony expressed their appreciation including one of the Kg. Lugu’s leaders, Mijol Sukuan.
“I wish to thank ConocoPhilips, BEST Society and Sky Community for their help here. It’s been a long time since we experience this hardship to get clean water. The water tanks will solve our problem, we are extremely happy”, he said.
The Head of PCS Church, Kg. Lugu, Juin Mojinal also welcomed the initiative of the three organisations. “The help from ConocoPhilips, BEST and Sky Community is a relief for the local community. We are grateful and touched by your concern for the community in remote area here”.
Sukau Medical Camp
Sukau Medical Camp
A third medical project was organized by BEST Society in Sukau, Kinabatangan on 16-17th November. A joint project with Sky Community Bhd, Sabah State Health and Dental Department, Sukau Rainforest Lodge, Borneo Eco Tours and co-sponsored by Kinabatangan Corridor of Life Tourism Operators Association, Sabah (KiTA) it was aimed to provide free medical and dental treatment to the community in Sukau, Bilit and Abai villages. Currently, the villagers in the areas have to travel 1-2 hours to the nearest hospital in Kota Kinabatangan or Sandakan to seek medical treatment.A total of 68 volunteers including 7 doctors, 1 Medical Officer, 6 dentists, 9 nurses, 3 pharmacists, 1 nutritionist travelled 8 hours overland from Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Kinabatnagn and spent four days to serve community. A total of 565 patients were treated including 208 seeking dental treatment (Sukau; 312, Bilit; 115 and Abai; 138). Among the most common diagnoses of the patients here include hypertension, diabetes, respiratory disease and fungal infections and skin allergies. The medical project also saved the life of a boy, Mohammad Razman, 10, of Kg Abai who was diagnosed just in time with acute appendicitis. He was sent by Borneo Eco Tours speed boa to Sukau, and thereafter, transferred by ambulance to Kinabatangan and Sandakan Hospital for immediate surgery.
This is the third medical project organized by BEST Society (www.bestsociety.org). The medical project cost a total of RM35,042.36 which include promotion, homestay (RM2,100.00) medicines (RM7,427.86), logistics, accomodation and meals of the volunteers. Main sponsors, KiTA (www.kitaborneo.org) contributed a total of RM20,000.00 with the balance sponsored by BEST Society (RM4,259.56), Sukau Rainforest Lodge (RM7840.00) and Borneo Eco Tours (www.borneoecotours.com) (RM2,385.00) while Sky Community (www.skylinesib.com) co-ordinated the trip of the volunteers from government hospitals, private clinics and private sectors.
On of the patients at Kg. Bilit, Salina B. Tombok who was interviewd expressed his gratitude to the medical team.