New Water Supply System in Kampung Mempakad by Raleigh International and Coca-Cola

Their smiles and happiness is priceless... giving the source of life, water to the villagers that don’t even have clean water supply or toilet. Before this the villagers in Kampung Mempakad have to walk for about an hour to get to their water source. But things have changed a lot with the “Clean Water for Communities” programme, now Kampung Mempakad villagers have new Water Supply System and proper sanitation facilities too. This is my second time to join the “Clean Water for Communities” trip to Sabah with Raleigh International and The Coca Cola Company. The first time was in Kampung Tikalod, Sabah. 

New Water Supply System in Kampung Mempakad by Raleigh and Coca-Cola   

Each time was an eye opener for me, it also serves a reminder to myself to be grateful of what I have plus don’t waste water. Safe drinking water and effective sanitation are key pre-requisites to poverty alleviation and human development, and without which these rural communities are further marginalized and their livelihood is restricted.

“Clean Water for Communities” programme
New Water Supply System in Kampung Mempakad by Raleigh and Coca-Cola   

By the way, “Clean Water for Communities” programme is a joint project by Raleigh International and The Coca-Cola Company that began in 2006 to bring clean, potable water to rural communities – that has now brought a regular supply of water directly into the village with taps near every household.

Finally the villagers in Kampung Mempakad get their clean water supply and also toilet
On the right: Kadri Taib, Coca-Cola Malaysia’s Public Affairs and Communications Director 

Kampung Mempakad is located in the Kota Marudu district of Northern Sabah, that has relatively large rural community with 38 houses and home to 300 people. Kampung Mempakad is the 58th beneficiary of the “Clean Water for Communities” programme.

Rumah kampung for Raleigh volunteers @ Kampung Mempakad, Sabah  

Kampung Mempakad, Sabah  

About 45 Raleigh volunteers together with the help of the villagers have constructed a dam at a water source about 3 km away from the village and a gravity fed water system now delivers the village with a regular supply of water through pipes that have been hauled through the difficult terrain. 

During the new water supply system handover ceremony

The immediate access to a regular supply of water has also significantly improved access to sanitation facilities for the villagers who just a one toilet that was a holde dug in the ground or would just openly defecate in the jungle. The village now has three toilets as well as tippy taps where they can wash their hands and increase the level of sanitation in the community, which are part of Raleigh’s water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programme.

About 45 Raleigh volunteers in Kampung Mempakad

Through this programme, Raleigh volunteers from the UK, Australia, Germany, China and of course Malaysia (Peninsular and Sabah) aged between 17 and 24 also educated the villagers on the importance of hygiene practices, water and sanitation. The programme has brought significance health and safety changes to Kampung Mempakad as the villagers relied heavily on to the river water and rain water sources which can be irregular especially during the dry season.

Our humble lunch after the handover ceremony

Now that they have a proper water supply system, the villagers have easy access clean water for their daily use such as cooking, washing, bathing, and general cleaning which they do not have to walk an hour for.

The children in Kampung Mempakad were thought about basic hygiene and the importance of washing their hands

To date, the initiative by The Coca-Cola Company has refreshed the quality of life for more than 22,000 people throughout Sabah that can now enjoy the basic necessity of having clean water piped into their homes or rural villages for daily reliable access of water supply.

Children in Kampung Mempakad are so friendly

She just want to say hi to you and promise me to go to school ok :D

She asked me a lot of questions until I...  

“Coca-Cola intends to return to communities and nature an amount of water equivalent to what is used in our beverages and their production by 2020 and we are working toward water balance through diverse, locally focused community water projects and one of the ways we are doing so is by improving safe access to water and sanitation which also helps to improve local livelihoods, help communities adapt to climate change and improve water quality,” said Coca-Cola Malaysia’s Public Affairs and Communications Director Kadri Taib.

Kampung Mempakad, Sabah  

Kampung Mempakad, Sabah  

This was my second time to be part of “Clean Water for Communities” in Sabah with Raleigh International and The Coca Cola Company. My first project was in Kampung Tikalod, Sabah. At the same time, this will be the last project for Raleigh International in Malaysia, after this Raleigh Malaysia will be taking over their tasks.  

And I am looking forward to more communities projects like this to help the rural villagers with their basic necessities ❤️

Appreciate what we have and be grateful

For more information about Clean Water For Communities Project by Raleigh International x Coca-Cola, please visit Coca-Cola Website http://www.coca-cola.com/global/