Completion of the community water solution project brings life-changing water access to Kampung Gambir, Pitas in Sabah.
Access to clean water is one of humankind’s most fundamental needs.
However, for certain communities in Malaysia, their daily lives are blighted by lack of access to potable water, which is water safe enough to drink.
While Malaysia boasts a clear water access rate of 93.94%, some rural communities, particularly in Sabah, still struggle with water scarcity due to geographical challenges.
This lack of access has long-term consequences, affecting health, education and economic opportunities.
Many villages in Sabah rely on natural water sources such as rainwater, mountain streams, and underground wells.
However, during prolonged droughts, these sources dry up, leaving communities in crisis.
One such village is Kampung Gambir in Pitas.
Home to 173 residents, the village has endured decades of water scarcity, making daily life a struggle.
Families depend on rainwater harvesting, which is neither sustainable nor reliable.
During dry spells which usually lasts between four and six months, stored rainwater can run out, forcing villagers to either endure severe shortages or purchase water from the nearest town ― an expensive and logistically challenging solution.
Thanks to Community Water Solution Project by Pertubuhan Kebajikan Impak Komuniti Sabah (Pikos), supported by the Star Social Impact Grant (SSIG), this reality has changed.
Under the project, a 40m-deep tubewell was dug and a new water storage system provided to ensure consistent water supply for the village.
Relating their struggles, Kampung Gambir village chief Mangkaping Luminggun said, “For years, we lived in uncertainty. We had to store water during the dry season while hoping for rain.
“When the situation worsened, we had no choice but to buy water from town, which is costly and exhausting due to poor road conditions.”
Community representative Noel BJ Sangkong said, “Our village is not alone; many others face the same struggle.”
He said they relied on streams, rivers and rainwater as water source.
“While the government occasionally sends water tankers, poor road conditions often prevent them for reaching us,” he added.
Recognising the urgency, Pikos stepped in to implement the Community Water Solution Project with SSIG funding.
While the project initially seemed straightforward, it quickly became a test of perseverance for the non-governmental organisation (NGO) dedicated to empowering communities through infrastructure, education and economic development.
The team had originally planned to use manual drilling, a method deemed suitable for the village’s terrain.
However, multiple attempts failed, with drills unable to penetrate beyond 3m.
“We moved to several locations but couldn’t dig deeper than 3m.
“It was frustrating for both our team and the villagers,” recalled Pikos president Davylandon Rubbin.
Faced with these setbacks, Pikos made the critical decision to switch to machine drilling, which required additional cost adjustments.
Unpredictable weather and logistical obstacles further delayed the project.
“However, the thought of villagers walking miles just to fetch water, kept us going,” said Davylandon.
“Clean water is not a luxury; it is a basic human right,” he added.
After several months, the tubewell pump was finally installed, providing a steady flow of 3,000 litres of clean water per hour.
As water gushed from the new system for the first time, relief and joy swept through the village.
“We kept asking ourselves if this will work. And when it did, the feeling was indescribable,” said Davylandon.
“It was a moment of triumph for the entire village,” he said.
With the installation of an 8,000-litre water storage tank, Kampung Gambir residents no longer have to worry about water shortages.
“SSIG didn’t just provide funding; it empowered us to dream bigger and deliver better,” said Davylandon.
“The trust the Star Foundation placed in us motivated our team to push forward,” he added.
This project exemplifies the impact of determination, community collaboration and corporate social responsibility.
For Kampung Gambir, it marks the beginning of a healthier, more hopeful future.
SSIG, under Star Foundation ― the charitable arm of Star Media Group ― continues to support sustainable and impactful community projects.
Now in its fifth year, SSIG invites NGOs and social enterprises to apply for grants of up to RM50,000 per project, with a 12-month implementation period.
Applications for SSIG 2025 are open until March 31. For details, visit bit.ly/starsig
