To Sabah; and back again!

This blog was written by our Field Coordinator, Puah Sze Ning.

For my first blog entry, I’m going to recap all the exciting things that have happened over the last two months.

First, a brief introduction on how I got involved with Elevyn. In late February, I was in Sabah for a field trip in an interior area in the Mangkuwagu Forest Reserve. Having traveled around 8 hours driving (with much difficulty) through an old logging road, I reached Kg Saguon.

(Saguon) – 8 hours driving through bad road.

(Mangkuwagu) – It took 8 hours because of these situations.

With no piped water nor electricity, I was astonished to find that the villagers in Kg Saguon could get internet in the school via satellite, powered by solar power.

(Saguon) – Schools get Internet access via satellite

(Saguon) – Kg Saguon

The idea of linking Elevyn with rural villages in Sabah started haunting me since that day. Incidentally while I was in that village at that time, knowing my unhealthy obsession for indigenous handicrafts – some friends from a local NGO suggested that I visit one of their project sites which produces beautiful crafts, but have a problem finding a proper market for their crafts.

I came back from Sabah and suggested to the founders of Elevyn (whom I’m friends with from before) to initiate their pilot project at that site.

One month after that discussion, I found myself in Sabah again doing just that for Elevyn.

During that trip which was made in the end of April, I introduced Elevyn to the said NGO and the community which they work with. Both parties responded enthusiastically to the idea of working with Elevyn.

On our part, we found the conditions perfect for a pilot project. The NGO has a good relationship with the community and are committed in ensuring that the community’s best interests are always put first. The community itself makes beautiful handicraft and has a school with electricity and most importantly, computers with access to the internet!

Above all those technicalities, the actual thing driving everything are the people in the community and the NGO who are eager and enthusiastic to learn this thing called ‘selling stuff online’.

Artisan making handicraft

Plant a Tree for the Planet

“Give back to the planet! Buy a tree (which we will plant for you) or organise your own tree planting event. Join us to create new wild lands for wildlife and benefit local people.”

Our friends at Wild Asia just launched their “Plant a Tree for the Planet” campaign in conjunction with World Environment Day (5 June 2008).

If you’re in Malaysia, you may even have heard of the campaign on the airwaves, as it is supported by radio stations from Astro. In fact, the deejays will get down and dirty by doing the tree-planting themselves!

What can you do?

1. Purchase a tree (USD 15 each), and the seedlings will be planted during tree-planting events. Orders can be made directly from the Wild Asia website.

2. Hold your own tree-planting events. Sponsor one for your own staff or school children to help you plant these seedlings. Wild Asia can even help you organize one.

3. Have other ideas? Drop Wild Asia an e-mail!

The campaign will be an ongoing one, and the ultimate aim is to plant 1,000 trees. So drop over to Wild Asia and do your part for the planet!