SAMA SAMA FUNDRAISING

Published by pangroksulap on 27/12/202427/12/2024

Rural areas in, Malaysia, face significant challenges that impact local communities. The road infrastructure is often poor, with unpaved, pothole-ridden paths that become treacherous during the rainy season. This poor connectivity isolates communities, making access to nearby towns and villages difficult and time-consuming. Unsafe bridges further exacerbate travel risks.

These conditions hinder economic activities, as farmers struggle to transport goods to markets, and tourism potential remains untapped. Additionally, access to essential services like healthcare and education is severely limited, affecting the overall quality of life. Coordination issues between local authorities and village chiefs delay infrastructure improvements, perpetuating these problems.

The economic impact is profound, with increased transportation costs and reduced market access affecting livelihoods. Addressing these challenges is crucial for improving safety, economic opportunities, and the well-being of rural communities in Sabah.

The SAMA SAMA Transcultural Art Residency brings together British artist Bethan Maddocks and Pangrok Sulap to collaborate on projects with rural communities in Sabah. Through woodcut and paper-cutting techniques, the artists co-create works that address global issues such as sustainability and marginalization. As they travel across Sabah, they share stories and raise funds to improve living conditions in rural areas.

The residency partners with local organizations and collectives, including Dumowangi in Bundu Tuhan, the Forever Sabah Project Padi in Tenghilan, Borneo Komrad’s Teluk Layan Alternative Learning Center, and PACOS Trust. The artists organize field trips to listen to community stories and struggles, while conducting interactive workshops in papercutting, woodcutting, and silkscreen printing. The program aims to foster knowledge sharing, connect local and international artists, and support the growth of Sabah’s art scene.

The collaborative project, Sulap Cinema, was presented to the community in Tenghilan and showcased at a Sabah festival.

The pilot edition of the SAMA SAMA Transcultural Art Residency is supported by the British Council Connections Through Culture Programme, enabling the exchange of ideas and resources to foster creative and social impact.

SAMA SAMA Fundraising

Help Kampung Tagibang in Kota Marudu, Sabah, gain access to clean, safe drinking water by supporting our fundraising campaign.

Kampung Tagibang, located a six-hour drive from Kota Kinabalu at the border of Ranau and Kota Marudu in Sabah, Malaysia, faces significant challenges in accessing clean water. The road to the village remains unpaved, and its residents rely on an unfiltered gravity-fed water system from a nearby river. This system exposes the community to the risk of contamination, particularly during floods, which poses serious health risks and negatively impacts their quality of life.

Introducing a simple water filtration system will not only provide essential clean water but also contribute to broader efforts in addressing climate change. With increasingly unpredictable weather patterns and frequent floods due to climate change, establishing a safe and reliable water source will enhance the community’s resilience and ability to adapt to environmental challenges.

We aim to raise RM30,000 to install water filtration systems for 82 households in Kampung Tagibang.