NGOs chip in to build hostel for students in Penampang

Villagers and volunteers building the hostel

KOTA KINABALU: Eleven SK Longkogungan students, in the interior part of Penampang, would soon be able to move out of their old rundown hostel and into a newly built hostel.

This was being made possible with funding from two non-profit organisations - Berjaya Cares Foundation and Osimal Foundation - while villagers, teachers and other volunteers helped build the hostel.

Osimal Foundation founder Tan Sri Richard Malanjum, who is the coordinator of this programme, said construction of the hostel began on Aug 18 and is expected to be completed by the end of September.

He said that he learned there were very few students in the school as many villagers lived far away and the only way they could reach the school was by walking.

“The present hostel can only host about a dozen or so people so we hope with this new hostel, more students will attend classes as they have a place to stay and need not walk for hours to and from school, ” he said.

Malanjum said the new hostel would be able to house at least 20 to 30 more students.

He said all volunteers including nearby villagers worked together to carry materials from the main road into the school.

They had to cross challenging jungle terrain, hike up hills, as well as cross rivers before they could reach their destination, he said.

“All the work was done via gotong-royong so we’ve saved on the cost of labour, ” Malanjum said.

He said the villagers were also eager to help as they knew the importance of a new hostel, and they needed it for their children.

The school’s assistant for administration, Harry Bikal said the old hostel would be refurbished for contract or private workers in future.

There are currently seven teachers and a clerk working in the school.