RYTHM Foundation uplifts indigenous communities across 5 states through education and income projects
WHILE indigenous communities in Malaysia struggle on many fronts such as
education, sourcing for income-generating projects to fund their
communities, the RYTHM foundation has successfully made a difference by
implementing a series of projects.
Over three years across Sabah, Pahang, Kedah, Johor and Negeri Sembilan,
RYTHM worked with partners to uplift the Orang Asli (OA) communities in
various strategic areas.
One success story, Imelda Kasung from the mist shrouded highlands of
Kiulu, Sabah can stand proud with her home-made bottle of “Sambal
Liposu”, made from forest chilis that grow naturally in the area.
With funding from RYTHM, Imelda was able to learn how to bottle and
market the ‘Kiulu Kio’ label and achieve a level of success in marketing
and selling the item.
These diverse communities from the Dusun, Bateq, Kensiu, Jakun and
Semelai indigenous people across five states have experienced dramatic
upward changes in their literacy rates as children participate in
tuition classes after school, while youth and women have succeeded in
generating income that has not only increased but tripled household
income.
Datin Seri Umayal Eswaran, chairperson of RYTHM foundation said: “Our
work with the Orang Asli (OA) is not about charity but about solidarity.
At the foundation, we believe empowerment means listening before we lead
and walk beside communities as partners.
“Every project we support — from classrooms in Pahang to eco-tourism in
Kedah is an investment in dignity, resilience, and a future where
indigenous voices are not only heard but honoured.”
Academic support programme (ASP)
In analysing key impact statistics, over 100 indigenous students across
Sabah and Pahang benefitted from academic support programmes, while
Kedah, Johor and Negeri Sembilan initiated active programmes among
students to promote literacy.
Among the initiatives were to provide after school tuition, with high
rates of attendance achieved over three years. Results showed that over
98 percent of (OA) students in the programme were able to display
mastery in the areas of reading, writing and comprehension.
The core subjects for OA children are mathematics, Bahasa Malaysia,
English and science. To ensure sustainability, the committee of the ASP
successfully formed Persatuan Sokongan Akademik Sabah (PSAS), which
registered as an association under the Registrar of Societies to
continue and monitor academic progress in Sabah.
The results showed not only academic progress for those attending normal
classes but also for those who had faced learning challenges.
Youth empowerment programme (YEP)
The concept behind the YEP was to set up ecotourism ventures in three
villages, Watu Kokoluton Hill (also known as Kg Talantang), located in
Kota Marudu, Sabah, Sangod Hill (Kg Lokub) and Ratau Campsite (Kg
Ratau), both located at Kiulu Sabah.
The youths located at these places have benefitted from skills
development, while fostering a sense of ownership and pride in their
communities. These eco-ventures have succeeded in attracting
international tourists looking for adventure and local culture, and also
contribute to environmental conservation.
Through these RYTHM foundation initiatives, the youth in these areas
have become more aware of the importance of sustainability of natural
resources in the long term.
All three of these projects have contributed collectively to generating
a gross income amounting to RM44,000, over three years, thus ensuring a
steady income for youths. The membership of youth connect circle YCC)
composed of local youth, has also increased from 12 members to 22.
The youths in the locality were also exposed to workshops, covering a
wide array of topics such as introduction to the tourism sector,
potential of rural tourism, digital marketing technology and personal
development.
These sessions were valuable as they equipped the youths in the locality
with the knowledge needed to work in the local ecotourism industry as
tour guides.
Since the inception of these ecotourism ventures, the numbers of
international tourists has picked up in tourist destinations in Sabah.
Women empowerment programmes
The purpose behind OA women empowerment programmes by RYTHM foundation
was to create a source of income for the women, which would give them
financial independence and a sense of pride in generating an income on
their own.
Throughout the phases of the women’s empowerment programme, a total of
23 women participated in the women livelihood initiatives. These were
supervised and assisted by partners working under RYTHM foundation.
There were preliminary discussions held with the women in the locality
of Kg Ratau, Kg Talantang and kg Lokub in Sabah, to determine what
economic ventures would be most suitable.
It was collectively decided to venture into agriculture farms, sundry
shops, printing and food services.
Each village established an OA Women-In-Small Enterprise (WISE)
committee to monitor and oversee the implementation of the various
businesses as planned.
Together the OA women also formed a Kiulu community collective
enterprise (KCCE) with representation from all three villages.
With the brand name of ‘Kiulu Kio’ they ventured into creating and
marketing two products in their locality, which was the ‘Liposo’ fruit
known as the Sabah apple and banana stem.
For the first time, these two products under the brand name of ‘Kiulu
Kio’ was sold at the 2023 Harvest Festival Celebration, which proved an
outstanding success.
Thus, the lives, educational opportunities and income levels of the OA
students, women and youths have been uplifted with the grants allocated
by RYTHM foundation towards the betterment of the indigenous community.
