In 2009, Asian Forestry Company Sabah (AFCS) partnered with Raleigh International on a Gravity Water System (GWS) project in Kampung Pinapak in collaboration with PACOS Trust Sabah.
Pinapak village is considered one of the poorest communities in Sabah. They survive on shifting agriculture, cash crops or working in the town. Unfortunately, their livelihoods have been drastically compromised due to land grabbing, logging and the boom of oil palm plantations that has resulted in the loss of their traditional hunting and farming lands. The village has existed for over 150 years with a population of approximately 370 and through assessments and various community meetings, clean drinking water was identified as a priority for the community.
The previous water system was to be upgraded by replacing the piping and installing additional water tanks to increase the storage capacity to meet the peak water demand in the village. The Raleigh volunteers worked on site over a period of weeks to complete this project, which included constructing a concrete damn, site preparation for the water tank and much more.
Sourced from a nearby creek approximately 1km away from the community, this water system would greatly benefit the hundreds of people residing within Kg. Pinapak. It will supply households with water for drinking and cooking as well as sanitation, and hopefully serve the water needs of the villagers for years to come.
AFCS looks to uplift all the communities which reside in and around the company’s plantation area, and projects like this one are an integral part of the process towards community empowerment.
