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2025: Global Peace Volunteer #11 Kuala Lipis, Pahang | 22–28 August 2025 Would you spend a week deep in the forest without electricity, signal, not to mention soft beds? (If that sounds like a journey you’d love to be on, don’t miss our next volunteer call-out) That’s exactly what 10 Global Peace Volunteers (GPV) signed…
Celebrating Orang Asli heritage and environment Rompin, Pahang | 29–30 August 2025 Not many people are aware that 9 August is recognised internationally as the Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. It has been observed for more than thirty years, yet in Peninsular Malaysia the date often passes quietly. This stands in contrast to Sabah…
How the Malaysia–UN SDG Trust Fund helped scale up our chicken farming project. Muadzam Shah | August 26, 2025 The rain poured steadily on zinc roofs as chickens clucked in excitement, waiting to be fed, a lively and familiar scene in Kg Jong, Rompin. Yet the downpour did nothing to dampen the spirits of the…
This year’s Mobile School excursion took us away from concrete buildings and electronic screens and into a setting where heritage, and community were the teachers. Instead of visiting museums or city landmarks, we travelled by four-wheel drive into Kampung Peta, the entrance to Taman Negara Endau-Rompin Johor, one of Malaysia’s most significant conservation areas. Over…
Oh yeah! here we go! From the heart of Pahang to the Kuala Lumpur, this was no ordinary trip. Over 5 days and 4 nights, 23 of our Orang Asli youth embarked on a powerful, eye-opening adventure as part of the very first OA LEAD Exposure trip! And through it all, our youth showed up…
Volunteering is a crucial aspect of modern society, offering numerous benefits such as engaging with society, pursuing interests, and promoting charitable causes. It provides networking opportunities and valuable skills, and can significantly impact others’ lives, fostering purpose and satisfaction. Beyond immediate impact, volunteering fosters social, career, and personal growth, strengthening community bonds and fostering shared…
Why is Regenerative Agriculture needed ? Regenerative agriculture is a comprehensive practice that restores ecosystems and boosts productivity, offering a crucial solution. With methods differing from those of conventional agriculture, regenerative farming techniques like syntropic farming and organic farming align with the traditional knowledge of the Orang Asli, enhancing biodiversity and enhancing soil health. By…
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) plays a crucial role in empowering Orang Asli communities for sustainable development. These initiatives can focus on basic needs, education, healthcare and economic opportunities, all while ensuring respect for the communities’ cultural heritage and traditions. By partnering with local organizations, corporations can create tailored programs that foster community resilience and ownership.…
An Orang Asli Jahut advocate persistently champions Indigenous peoples’ rights Introduce yourself to our readers. My name is Mia Yusri, and I have been actively involved in the Orang Asli rights movement, serving as the Field Office Manager for Global Peace Foundation Malaysia. As a member of the Jahut tribe, my upbringing in a village…
Creating a profound impact from humble beginnings Introduce yourself to our readers. Hi, my name is Cass. I am the Partnership and Development Manager. I’m a mother of one boy and grew up in an urban setting in Kuala Lumpur. Growing up, I was more exposed to corporate career paths and had little engagement with…
Embracing both hard work and heart work defines her Introduce yourself to our readers. Hello everyone, my name is Linda Heng. I am the General Manager in Global Peace Foundation Malaysia. It is my 5th year as a General Manager overseeing the organization management and internal control. What inspired you to focus your career…
Each year, on March 8th, the world comes together to celebrate International Women’s Day, honoring the incredible achievements women have made across social, economic, cultural, and political landscapes. In countries like Kazakhstan, volunteers ceremoniously present tulips to women. Meanwhile, in Albania, Macedonia, Serbia, and Uzbekistan, Women’s Day has been integrated with Mother’s Day celebrations. In…
Alleviating the gloom for three more off-grid kampungs All-Lights Village In solar energy, no single individual can be credited for its development. French scientist Edmond Becquerel identified solar thermal energy’s potential for electricity in 1839. Augustin Mouchet developed solar-powered generators in the 1860s, powering small bulbs. American inventor Charles Fritts created the first solid-state solar…
How chicken farming lifted a Jakun family out of scavenging in Muadzam Shah “We’re blessed,” said Amai Yati fondly, a chicken farmer from Kampung Bukit Biru. “Our lives have undergone a remarkable transformation. Thanks to practicing regenerative farming two years ago and now embracing chicken farming, my husband (Mamak Jamida), no longer required to scavenge…
Kampung. Bukit Serok Lama | February 22, 2025 For the 5th time, Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia has partnered with us to create meaningful impact through corporate social responsibility (CSR). This marks our second corporate volunteering event of 2025, following NinjaVan’s visit last month for the chicken coop building initiative. This time, 7 dedicated Mitsubishi volunteers joined…
Muadzam Shah, 24 Januari 2025 – MAJLIS APRESIASI KECEMERLANGAN PELAJAR ORANG ASLI (Orang Asli Student Excellence Appreciation Ceremony) This special day brought together around 100 children and parents from Kampung Padang, Jabik, Jong, Serun, and Binjai, all gathered to celebrate the achievements of our Orang Asli students. The day was more than just a recognition…
Kampung. Gemuruh, Bera | January 16, 2025 Who says Ninjas only deliver? They build chicken coop too! Ninja Van teamed up with us at Global Peace Foundation Malaysia to kick off their 2nd corporate volunteering session – this time round in Kampung Gemuruh, Bera, Pahang. Known for their logistical prowess, Ninja Van proved they’re…
Celebrating our milestones How it all began “Eight years ago, in 2016, we began with a simple intention, to help a village gain access to clean water. Back then, the well had gone dry, and women in the community would make long, tiring journeys to fetch water from distant wells and carry it…
What an incredible November journey it has been! For the first time, the Asia Pacific Leadership Workshop was hosted in history, and the Malaysian chapter had the privilege of welcoming Global Peace representatives from Cambodia, Indonesia, Korea, and the Philippines to the vibrant town of Muadzam Shah, Pahang Muadzam Shah may not be the first…
MUAR , 27 November 2024 – Micron Technology, a leading US-based memory chip company, has partnered with Global Peace Foundation Malaysia to bring sustainable clean water access to over 2,000 Orang Asli residents in Johor and Negeri Sembilan. The project will implement a gravity-fed water system to provide a reliable source of clean water to…
“Pertanian Hutan BEST!!” The cheer of “Pertanian Hutan BEST!!” (meaning “Forest farming is the best!”) perfectly captured the energy and excitement of the day. It was a moment that reflected the enthusiasm both our farmers and our new friends shared! It was a day of learning, and community spirit as we welcomed 40 of our…
Recently, The Edge featured inspiring stories from our Orang Asli farmers in a special ESG 2024 issue, highlighting how families have learned to grow diverse crops and breathe new life into their land. The article beautifully captures the resilience and determination of the Orang Asli farmers, who have faced numerous challenges, from deforestation to the…
Set against the picturesque backdrop of Kempville Kuantan, 49 Orang Asli youth from SMK Muadzam Jaya embarked on a three-day, two-night leadership adventure that promised to empower and inspire. Under the theme “Shining Like a Star,” this unique retreat, lead by ILead Consultant, aimed to boost confidence, foster leadership skills, and create lasting connections among…
In the wake of 2022, as communities worldwide began to recover from the impacts of COVID-19, a pressing reality came to light for the Orang Asli families, the stark loss of income and dwindling food supply. During the lockdown, most Orang Asli families lost their incomes and faced food shortages, relying on unsustainable food relief.…
Each of the 32 children has a unique story. Yet, their paths have converged, highlighting the profound importance of education. For the last 1 year, the Education team led by Normaliati Ali, has managed to enroll and re-enroll 32 children back to school. These children came from the villages of Binjai, Terubing, Cerampak, and Padang…
Our landmark achievement in community upliftment. Marking a significant milestone in our journey since 2014, Global Peace Foundation Malaysia has been honored with the prestigious 6th ASEAN Rural Development and Poverty Eradication Leadership Award 2023 on the 21st November. This esteemed recognition is a testament to our unyielding dedication over the past eight years in…
Celebrating heritage In the heart of Rompin district, a celebration unfolded on the 17th of August 2023, marking the World Indigenous Day. This event, a collaboration between the Jakun Orang Asli Association of Pahang and the Global Peace Foundation Malaysia, was more than a festivity, it was a vivid showcase of the rich cultural heritage…
Nothing encapsulates the feeling of familiarity and comfort like a home cooked meal prepared by the women in our families. However, women’s roles do not just stop at the kitchen. Making up ‘43% of the global agricultural labour force‘, women are central to farming and play vital roles in food security and nutrition at both…
Right outside the small town of Muadzam Shah, Pahang sits an Orang Asli village, Kg. Bukit Biru. Back in 2020, the village made national headlines when an article published by the Malay Mail brought to light the poor living conditions of the villagers. Not only did the village lack access to clean water and electricity,…
As hunter-gatherers by nature, many Orang Asli families lived by gathering from the forest. However, over the recent years, many Orang Asli have had to transition from forest gathering (such as gathering bertam or fishing) to agriculture as their main source of livelihood. This is due in large part by increased deforestation for logging and palm oil.…
Did you know that 53% of Orang Asli communities have no access to clean drinking water? Without clean water, many families also lack access to proper sanitation facilities. This not only compromises the health, safety and dignity of families, but also traps them in a cycle of water poverty. Since 2018, Global Peace has partnered…
As the world celebrates the 75th anniversary of the World Health Organization (WHO) on this year’s World Health Day, we wanted to discuss this year’s theme “Health for All” and the progress made over the years. Founded on April 7, 1948, the WHO has been at the forefront of global health, leading efforts to prevent…
How many of us would ditch our phones and live off the grid among the hills for a week in this day and age? Well, that’s what eight volunteers from all over Malaysia did. Kg. Muk Ayun is located in Sarawak, approximately 60 km away from Kuching – an hour away by car and another…
We started working with the villagers of Kg. Bukit Biru since 2019. Fast forward to today, there’s been an immense change throughout the village. Watch the video below to find out how Global Peace played a role in making the lives of the villagers better and more sustainable:
Behind every brand, there is always a story worth telling. This is the story of Kebun Amai. In the Jakun tribe, the word ‘Amai‘ translates to aunty. Lamenting on the warmth of eating home cooked meals prepared by the women in our families, Kebun Amai tries to encapsulate feelings of familiarity and passion by supporting…
Twenty-one employees from Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia came down to the field to carry out their CSR volunteering activity, not realising their few hours of hard work will play a big role in the future of the Orang Asli (OA) community they had worked in. Mitsubishi Motors’ ‘Safe and Lasting Homes for the Orang Asli’ CSR…
In conjunction with International Rural Women Day which is celebrated globally in October, we’re taking this opportunity to highlight one of the most powerful Orang Asli women we’ve had the privilege to work with this past year – Amai Zailiming from Kg. Padang. A Woman Who Wears Many Hats Speaking to Amai Zailiming (Amai is…
The Global Peace Foundation Malaysia team was awarded the Junior Chamber International Malaysia (JCIM) Sustainable Development Award (SDA) 2022 for spearheading projects that provide access to clean water to Orang Asli communities. The aims of the JCIM SDA are to raise awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals in the public and to recognise various organisations…
As we continue to guide and coach the Orang Asli (OA) farmers in their syntropic farming journey, we realised how important enriching their knowledge of the natural environment is. Because of this, we brought together the network of OA syntropic farmers once again, this time hosted by Pak Ali and his wife, Amai Norma, in…
The Orang Asli communities are considered as one of the most underprivileged communities in the country. However, all this while, I never really thought about them or how they live or whether they are receiving the basic needs or not. It doesn’t help that we rarely hear about them in the media too. My point…
In July, syntropic farmers from various Orang Asli villages gathered at Kg. Guntung Minum Chempedak for a special event which aims to be the first of many. The Program Jaringan Akar was organised – like its name suggests – to create a network of farmers that will be able to share and exchange their knowledge…
As mentioned in our previous article, the principles of syntropic farming revolve around the rules of regeneration which follow the natural course of succession and stratification – giving each plant the ideal conditions for its development. The Orang Asli farmers that we introduce syntropic farming to often come from an agricultural background, which is an…
Syntropic farming has been proving to be a good solution for the Orang Asli communities we work with. Watch the video to find out why we introduced this method of farming to them and how it has benefitted them and their families so far! For more information about our food farming project with the Orang…
Prior to having washrooms, OA villagers would have to brave the open forests, in the dark and during stormy night just to defecate. In partnership with Nestle Malaysia, we’ve helped 25 families build washrooms for their communities. Watch the video to find out how a washroom can ease the burdens of their everyday life. For…
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Over the recent years, many Orang Asli have had to transition from forest hunting and gathering to agriculture as their main source of livelihood. This has been sorely caused by the extensive deforestation surrounding their villages which disables them from collecting produce. When the villagers ventured into other means of survival, they focused their time…
At the commencement of our first volunteer program of the year, six volunteers stepped out of their comfort zones and headed into the Orang Asli villages to help out in our food farming project. After the first day on the field, some felt as if they didn’t have the mental and physical strength to go…
Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) is an essential aspect of hygiene for women and adolescent girls between the ages 12 and 50. However, improper management can contribute to a host of health issues to women and girls globally. Managing menstruation in resource-poor settings such as in indigenous communities and villages can be extremely challenging. Based on…
We took a look at what the teachers and parents of the Mobile School students have to say about the programme after a year since its launch. Watch our video to see and hear how our Mobile School programme, in partnership with the ECM Libra Foundation, has impacted the Orang Asli children in six different…
Deforestation remains as one of the biggest threats to the traditional livelihood of the Orang Asli. Read to learn more about the changing landscapes of their livelihood.
In the Rumah Adat in Kampung Jenit, children from the age of 7 to 11 sit eagerly behind their designated blue tables. With colourful drawings on the wall and a whiteboard in the front, the children begin their studies under the dedicated guidance of their teachers, Liana and Suria. Liana, aged 23 and Suria, aged…
Improving access to lighting for Orang Asli families
Many Orang Asli villages are familiar with the tradition of Rumah Adat, however, many of them do not have one. To support the Orang Asli villagers, we provided them with materials to build a Rumah Adat in their village. Watch our video to see how the Rumah Adat fosters the cultural identity of the Orang…
Many Orang Asli (OA) villages have been in existence for over a hundred years and have a rich culture and tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation. The villages we work with in Pahang comprise mainly of the Jakun people. One of their traditions is the Rumah Adat, or community space. The…
As the sun set behind grey clouds, the natural daylight that illuminated Mamat’s home is now replaced with the harsh white light from our mobile phones. Mamat is a villager living in Kg. Sg Sawak, an Orang Asli village located approximately one hours drive from the town of Muadzam Shah, Pahang. Home to 27 families,…
Throughout my existence, I have never given much thought of the Orang Asli. Maybe I am too comfortable with living a privileged lifestyle to the extent that I didn’t have to think about it. Throughout my first few weeks of internship, I had little to no expectations towards the Orang Asli community and I was…
Imagine taking care of your family and doing household chores in a pitch-dark surrounding. With little to no access to electricity, this is the reality for many Orang Asli women. Watch our video to hear how solar lights can brighten lives. Read more: https://globalpeace.org.my/all-lights-village/ Written byLauren Chew, Communications Officer
The Orang Asli (OA) are some of the most impoverished communities living in Malaysia. Relying on ad-hoc work for income, many of them struggled to make ends meet during the Movement Control Order. With little to no savings, many OA villagers had to depend heavily on food aid. This lack of adequate food not only…
Despite keen interests in farming, many Orang Asli villagers face a multitude of challenges that hinder them from farming successfully. Watch our video to hear their stories of their farming journey. Read more: https://globalpeace.org.my/food-security/ Written byLauren Chew, Communications Officer
The Indigenous people, also known as Orang Asli, are considered to be the most vulnerable people worldwide; This is no exception in Malaysia. As an intern at Global Peace Foundation, I have witnessed parts of Malaysia where the Orang Asli live with little to no access to basic necessities such as clean water, electricity, education…
The crisis of Covid-19, compounded by diminishing forest resources, has exposed many of the dire realities faced by the Orang Asli community. During the Movement Control Order (MCO), many Orang Asli ran out of food supply and had to rely on temporary food aids due to loss of income. This lack of access to adequate…
Each year, waterborne diseases afflict hundreds of millions of people, primarily those living without safe, accessible water. Despite making great strides in the past 20 years to end waterborne diseases, there is still much to be done. Over the years of working with the Orang Asli (OA) community, we found numerous OA villages in the…
THE Covid-19 pandemic and movement restrictions have brought a fortunate turn for some Orang Asli in Muadzam Shah, Pahang, who began growing their own food and are now enjoying the benefits of extra income and improved diets. Tapioca and rice had been the daily staple in the early days of the movement-control order…
Education is a basic right for all children and a critical key to poverty alleviation. Throughout the years of working with the Orang Asli community, we found many Orang Asli children with low literacy skills and high school dropout rates. Many more children have also never attended school at all. There are numerous reasons that…
WHILE Covid-19 shut down most of the economy, especially during the movement-control order, Orang Asli tribes in villages close to Maudzam Shah in Pahang managed to weather the impact by grabbing job opportunities in jungles and plantations. The Malaysian Insight visited four Orang Asli kampung in the Muadzam Shah district and found the villagers in…
On our first trip back to the Orang Asli villages in Pahang since the Movement Control Order, we stopped by Kampung Jenit to check in on the villagers. Sitting cross-legged on the small patio outside Pak Cik Jelita’s house, we learned of Sakura’s struggles with raising her 8 year old son. Occasionally boasting a smile…
Nordin is an outspoken villager and father of three from Kampung Cerampak in Pahang. With a deep passion for farming, Nordin has always desired to plant his own vegetables to provide for his family and fellow villagers. However, his attempts have not been successful due to one simple reason: water. After being diagnosed with Leprosy…
The Movement Control Order (MCO), albeit a necessary measure to curb the spread of COVID-19, is affecting the livelihoods of Malaysians across the socio-economic playing field. With rising unemployment and income disruption, some of our most marginalized orang asli communities (OA) are receiving the greatest blow. With many of them relying on ad-hoc work to…
25 families in Kampung Jenit, Pahang have access to flowing water in their homes for the first time. MUADZAM SHAH, PAHANG – On 19th October 2019, 18 Ecolab Malaysia associates volunteered at an Orang Asli settlement, Kampung Jenit, to complete a water project in collaboration with Global Peace Foundation Malaysia, a non-governmental organisation, that will…
International Day of Rural Women is observed on October 15th every year, a day that brings to the forefront rural women’s important yet uncelebrated role in development – from being caregivers in families, guardians of indigenous knowledge, and workers in agriculture. “Structural barriers and discriminatory social norms continue to constrain women’s decision-making power and political…
International Day of Rural Women is observed on October 15th every year, a day that brings to the forefront rural women’s important yet uncelebrated role in development – from being caregivers in families, guardians of indigenous knowledge, and workers in agriculture. “Structural barriers and discriminatory social norms continue to constrain women’s decision-making power and political…
International Day of Rural Women is observed on October 15th every year, a day that brings to the forefront rural women’s important yet uncelebrated role in development – from being caregivers in families, guardians of indigenous knowledge, and workers in agriculture. “Structural barriers and discriminatory social norms continue to constrain women’s decision-making power and political…
Pilot solar charging station project makes it more accessible to charge mobiles and electronic devices in energy-poor communities. Back in 2018, I wrote an article on “The Insanely High Price to Charge Phones in Orang Asli Villages”. The story came about after we gathered data on energy usage in rural Orang Asli villages, and discovered…
Back in February, we wrote about Pak Long, an inspiring man of mixed Asli-Chinese descent who is content living a simple life without basic needs like water and electricity despite being educated and having 28 years of working experience in Singapore in the construction field. We caught up with him almost every month whenever we…
Orang asli children playing with toys found in a landfill. An ocean of trash spills into a gaping hole in the ground, a grave of sorts where our daily waste goes to rot and decompose. Two young boys are perched on the edge of the cavity, whiling their time away as they watch their father…
This 2019, LANEIGE raises funds for its Waterful Sharing Campaign in hopes of giving better life opportunities to those in need by providing easy access to clean water. KUALA LUMPUR, 19 June 2019 – 60.7% of Orang Asli women and girls in Malaysia’s rural communities bear the burden of having to spend 6 hours a…
Intern Reshna shares her experience and thoughts on visiting an Orang Asli village for the first time. Velocity (ms−1) = Distance travelled (m) / time taken (s) Familiar? We have come across this equation a few times when we were in high school or during our pre-university education. Most of the time, we mulled over…
Surayati and her mother, Norisah, used to carry 16 buckets of water a day from the village well for their family’s use. We helped their village by building a well, pump, and piping leading to their home, improving their access to water.
10-month old baby with lung infection depends on bottled water for drinking and bathing because of contaminated village well water. 42-year old Rohana cradles her daughter, Puteri Rian, close to her. Puteri looks smaller than other 10-month olds, her skinny limbs sorely needing a healthy padding of baby fat. She has not learned to sit…
Burai stands in the doorway of her wooden hut, carrying her year-old son on one hip. She calls out to her daughter, Olivia, and a few seconds later she scurries home, sweaty from an evening spent playing in the village. Daylight is waning fast and soon it will be night. There’s a lot of things…
It’s been a year since we began working with the Ibanese community in Kampung Sion, Sarawak. We started Communities Unite for Purewater (CUP) in this village of 44 families that struggle with water scarcity, providing each family with a filtration and rainwater harvesting system to ease their burden. While the CUP project will draw to…
Malaysia went through a heatwave from February to March with temperatures soaring to a sweltering 40°C in certain states. The hot weather caused dam levels in Johor and Kedah to dip to critical levels, with the possibility of water rationing sparking concerns. While we urban folk are able to make it through the hot weather…
World Water Day falls on Mar 22 every year and is internationally observed by the United Nations (UN). In line with UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) to “ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all”, World Water Day also serves to highlight the plight of the 2.1 billion people in…
A slight figure emerges from the doorway at the sound of our approaching vehicle. We hear his booming welcome even before our car engine dies down. “Apa khabar semua? Lama tak jumpa!” (How is everyone doing? Long time no see!) Pak Long walks over to us and shakes each of our hands. Despite being 70…
Rita, 50, walks home after a long day spent at the market 3km away selling her small harvest of vegetables. She carries a woven basket on her back filled with a heavy but precious load, water.
Surayati’s village is in a remote patch of land, 20km away from the nearest town. She has no access to basic needs like electricity. When night falls, she lights a small fire by burning palm kernels to provide light for her family. Blanketed by darkness, she contemplates why her life has remained unchanged and what…
https://globalpeace.org.my/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/GHD.mp4 Global Handwashing Day is observed every year on October 15th to spread awareness “about the importance of handwashing with soap as an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives.” This year’s theme “Clean Hands – a recipe for health” seeks to remind everyone to practice washing hands before eating, meal…
It’ll only cost you 80 cents* to charge your mobile phone… for a year. That’s unbelievably cheap and a negligible expense. After all, what is 80 cents a year? What if I told you instead that it’ll cost you RM624 to charge your mobile phone for a year? On top of that, it’s going to…
![Ms. Nirmalah Thurai, Executive Director of Group Corporate Affairs, Nestlé Malaysia [left] with Dr Teh Su Thye, Chief Executive Officer of the Global Peace Foundation during the launch of the Safe Water, Safe Communities project, aimed at providing clean water to deserving communities.](https://globalpeace.org.my/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/DSC_5459-min-e1536895917349-768x512.jpg "Safe Water, Safe Communities Launch")
PETALING JAYA, 7 September 2018 – Global Peace Foundation Malaysia (Global Peace) and Nestlé Malaysia today joined hands to launch the Safe Water, Safe Communities project, aimed at providing clean water to underserved orang asli communities. The initiative will engage five villages in Tasik Chini, Pahang, to install water filtration systems that will provide clean water…
Nenek Jamilah is a Jakun orang asli living deep in the interiors of Pahang. Her husband has long passed away so she lives alone. Despite being in her 80s, she still works as a rubber tapper, earning RM60-70 every two weeks. She spent RM25 of her hard-earned money to buy a USB rechargeable lamp to…
In the deep jungles of Pahang, the orang asli live a life deprived of basic needs like clean water. Water poverty is an everyday peril to the community but for the women tasked with fetching water, it is a threat that is slowly eroding their identity as an orang asli, a mother, and a woman.…
Our WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) training is the educational component of our Communities Unite for Purewater (CUP) clean water initiative. In many rural orang asli villages in Malaysia, the scarcity of water, absence of proper sanitation, and poor hygiene habits have led to health issues like skin and waterborne diseases, and broader issues like…
Community Engagement Workshop The first few meetings with a village are critical for the success of our community development programme. It’s an opportunity for us to get to know one another, learn about their life, and start building relationship and trust with the people there. A good engagement would facilitate the community to get…
Semada Belatok is a village of about 200 people, mainly composed of Ibanese natives. Located in Serian division, it is approximately one-hour away from the nearest town, Balai Ringin. To get there, we turned off the main road into an unmarked side road that wound past a quarry, sporadic patches of pepper farms, and oil…
We made a return visit to Kampung Binjai in Pahang, where we installed a water filtration system as part of Laneige’s Waterful Sharing Campaign back in 2016. The orang asli here used to rely on water from a well and pond for their daily needs. Their drinking water was cloudy with an earthy aftertaste, but…
Back in mid-April, five of us went on a trip to Muadzam Shah, Pahang to visit the orang asli communities there; Kampung Padang, Kampung Dungun, and Kampung Pecah Bateri. We spent the night in Kampung Padang in the middle of an oil palm plantation to better understand the lifestyle of the people here. Dr. Teh:…
On 25 April 2018, we were invited to Laneige Malaysia’s Water Bar Media Launch event at ABC Cooking Studio in Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur. This year marks the third year that we’re collaborating with Laneige through their Waterful Sharing Campaign to provide clean water to underprivileged and rural communities suffering from water poverty. To date,…
The evening sun hangs low over the treetops. At this time, most of the people are still out at work, the remaining few women and children sit or nap in their wooden houses, the occasional breeze offering a momentary respite from the humidity. A scratchy, raspy sound interrupts the quiet. It stops for a while,…
Sarawak is the largest state in Malaysia, its land mass comparable to that of the whole of Peninsular Malaysia. It is a wellspring of culture and diversity, and home to an ever-growing population of around 2.6 million people from over 40 sub-ethnic groups. We visited Sarawak early this year on a recce trip to scout…
KUALA LUMPUR, 12 April 2018 – YTL Power International Berhad (YTL Power) today signed a Collaboration Agreement with Agensi Inovasi Malaysia (AIM) and Global Peace Foundation Malaysia (Global Peace) to provide RM184,600 of funding into the Communities Unite for Purewater (CUP) social intervention programme run by Global Peace. YTL Power was represented by Dato’ Yeoh…
It is afternoon, but the village is still. The adults have left early to work in the neighbouring plantations, gathering oil palm fruit that sell at RM2-3 (USD0.50-0.80) per sack. The silence is occasionally broken by the crow of a rooster or the tinkling laughter of children at play. Kampung Padang in rural Muadzam Shah…
The orang asli in Kampung Sungai Chemperoh of Janda Baik, Pahang have long struggled with access to clean water. Their only source of water is from a hilltop stream that takes a 2km walk from their village. However, the water from the stream is unpurified and contains coliform bacteria that threatens the health of the…
When we first visited Kampung Padang, their issue with drinking water was immediately evident. They walk half an hour to the well in the village to collect drinking water, twice or thrice each day. Unfiltered and exposed, their water is completely unsafe for consumption. Due to the inaccessibility to water, let alone to clean water,…
Beyond the quaint Gopeng town of white water rafting and Rafflesia trekking, lays a village named Kampung Ulu Geroh. It is surrounded by durian orchards, rubber, palm oil plantation and forest reserves. The inhabitation of Orang Asli settlement here is dominated by Orang Asli Semai. Global Peace Malaysia paid a visit to Kampung Ulu Geroh…
“We have a house in the city but I said I don’t want.” Wah Rina, a resident of Kampung Ulu Geroh, told us. This is something that most of the villagers of Kampung Ulu Geroh share, their preference to stay near their village homes over the cities. Almost an hour drive away from the nearest…
Sabah, a land known for its beautiful beaches and the majestic Mount Kinabalu! Undoubtedly a breathtaking place. Yet through research and recce, Global Peace Foundation Malaysia came to know that the plight for clean water is prominent in rural parts of this state. In partnership with Breeze, the team under the leadership of Dr. Teh Su…
Around 4-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur, sits a peaceful village called Kampung Binjai. When we first arrived, the children were running around naked, playing in the dirt. The houses were all made from leaves and wooden planks, surrounded mostly by rubber trees. Kampung Binjai in Pahang is one of the many villages in Malaysia which…
Last year, we collaborated with Laneige Malaysia and together we successfully provided clean and safe drinking water through an ultrafiltration water filtration installed in Kampung Ulu Geruntum, Perak and Kampung Binjai, Pahang. On 17 April 2017, Laneige Malaysia held a press conference to officially announce the collaboration with Global Peace Foundation Malaysia on the fundraising…
My First Visit To Kampung Ulu Geroh Going HOME to Gopeng was an eye-opening experience for me as it was my very first visit to an Orang Asli village. My first impression of the community service was an adventurous one as I did not know what to expect from the trip and being an outdoor…
The Alllights Village project brings inexpensive, environmentally friendly solar lanterns to remote communities with limited access to electrical power, providing nighttime illumination for children’s studies and other household needs. GPF Korea previously supported All Lights Villages in the Philippines as part of a joint Global Peace Leadership Exchange initiative between GPF Korea and the GPF Philippines.…
Date: Year 2012 | Venue: Kg. Sosopon & Kg. Terian, Penampang, Sabah, East Malaysia In conjunction with GPLE Malaysia, the GPF Korea decided to extend their ‘Alllights Village’ projects to several areas in East Malaysia, following the programme’s success in Philippines during the Global Peace Leadership Exchange initiative between GPF Korea and the GPF Philippines.…
GPF Korea President Dr. David Yoo announced the expansion of GPFF’s All Lights Village Project to serve rural residents of the Malaysian state of Sabah in Borneo on May 28, 2012. The All Lights Village project brings inexpensive, environmentally friendly solar lanterns to remote communities with limited access to electrical power, providing nighttime illumination for children’s…
2025: Global Peace Volunteer #11 Kuala Lipis, Pahang | 22–28 August 2025 Would you spend a week deep in the forest without electricity, signal, not to mention soft beds? (If that sounds like a journey you’d love to be on, don’t miss our next volunteer call-out) That’s exactly what 10 Global Peace Volunteers (GPV) signed…
Celebrating Orang Asli heritage and environment Rompin, Pahang | 29–30 August 2025 Not many people are aware that 9 August is recognised internationally as the Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. It has been observed for more than thirty years, yet in Peninsular Malaysia the date often passes quietly. This stands in contrast to Sabah…
How the Malaysia–UN SDG Trust Fund helped scale up our chicken farming project. Muadzam Shah | August 26, 2025 The rain poured steadily on zinc roofs as chickens clucked in excitement, waiting to be fed, a lively and familiar scene in Kg Jong, Rompin. Yet the downpour did nothing to dampen the spirits of the…
This year’s Mobile School excursion took us away from concrete buildings and electronic screens and into a setting where heritage, and community were the teachers. Instead of visiting museums or city landmarks, we travelled by four-wheel drive into Kampung Peta, the entrance to Taman Negara Endau-Rompin Johor, one of Malaysia’s most significant conservation areas. Over…
Oh yeah! here we go! From the heart of Pahang to the Kuala Lumpur, this was no ordinary trip. Over 5 days and 4 nights, 23 of our Orang Asli youth embarked on a powerful, eye-opening adventure as part of the very first OA LEAD Exposure trip! And through it all, our youth showed up…
Volunteering is a crucial aspect of modern society, offering numerous benefits such as engaging with society, pursuing interests, and promoting charitable causes. It provides networking opportunities and valuable skills, and can significantly impact others’ lives, fostering purpose and satisfaction. Beyond immediate impact, volunteering fosters social, career, and personal growth, strengthening community bonds and fostering shared…
Why is Regenerative Agriculture needed ? Regenerative agriculture is a comprehensive practice that restores ecosystems and boosts productivity, offering a crucial solution. With methods differing from those of conventional agriculture, regenerative farming techniques like syntropic farming and organic farming align with the traditional knowledge of the Orang Asli, enhancing biodiversity and enhancing soil health. By…
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) plays a crucial role in empowering Orang Asli communities for sustainable development. These initiatives can focus on basic needs, education, healthcare and economic opportunities, all while ensuring respect for the communities’ cultural heritage and traditions. By partnering with local organizations, corporations can create tailored programs that foster community resilience and ownership.…
An Orang Asli Jahut advocate persistently champions Indigenous peoples’ rights Introduce yourself to our readers. My name is Mia Yusri, and I have been actively involved in the Orang Asli rights movement, serving as the Field Office Manager for Global Peace Foundation Malaysia. As a member of the Jahut tribe, my upbringing in a village…
Creating a profound impact from humble beginnings Introduce yourself to our readers. Hi, my name is Cass. I am the Partnership and Development Manager. I’m a mother of one boy and grew up in an urban setting in Kuala Lumpur. Growing up, I was more exposed to corporate career paths and had little engagement with…
Embracing both hard work and heart work defines her Introduce yourself to our readers. Hello everyone, my name is Linda Heng. I am the General Manager in Global Peace Foundation Malaysia. It is my 5th year as a General Manager overseeing the organization management and internal control. What inspired you to focus your career…
Each year, on March 8th, the world comes together to celebrate International Women’s Day, honoring the incredible achievements women have made across social, economic, cultural, and political landscapes. In countries like Kazakhstan, volunteers ceremoniously present tulips to women. Meanwhile, in Albania, Macedonia, Serbia, and Uzbekistan, Women’s Day has been integrated with Mother’s Day celebrations. In…
Alleviating the gloom for three more off-grid kampungs All-Lights Village In solar energy, no single individual can be credited for its development. French scientist Edmond Becquerel identified solar thermal energy’s potential for electricity in 1839. Augustin Mouchet developed solar-powered generators in the 1860s, powering small bulbs. American inventor Charles Fritts created the first solid-state solar…
How chicken farming lifted a Jakun family out of scavenging in Muadzam Shah “We’re blessed,” said Amai Yati fondly, a chicken farmer from Kampung Bukit Biru. “Our lives have undergone a remarkable transformation. Thanks to practicing regenerative farming two years ago and now embracing chicken farming, my husband (Mamak Jamida), no longer required to scavenge…
Kampung. Bukit Serok Lama | February 22, 2025 For the 5th time, Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia has partnered with us to create meaningful impact through corporate social responsibility (CSR). This marks our second corporate volunteering event of 2025, following NinjaVan’s visit last month for the chicken coop building initiative. This time, 7 dedicated Mitsubishi volunteers joined…
Muadzam Shah, 24 Januari 2025 – MAJLIS APRESIASI KECEMERLANGAN PELAJAR ORANG ASLI (Orang Asli Student Excellence Appreciation Ceremony) This special day brought together around 100 children and parents from Kampung Padang, Jabik, Jong, Serun, and Binjai, all gathered to celebrate the achievements of our Orang Asli students. The day was more than just a recognition…
Kampung. Gemuruh, Bera | January 16, 2025 Who says Ninjas only deliver? They build chicken coop too! Ninja Van teamed up with us at Global Peace Foundation Malaysia to kick off their 2nd corporate volunteering session – this time round in Kampung Gemuruh, Bera, Pahang. Known for their logistical prowess, Ninja Van proved they’re…
Celebrating our milestones How it all began “Eight years ago, in 2016, we began with a simple intention, to help a village gain access to clean water. Back then, the well had gone dry, and women in the community would make long, tiring journeys to fetch water from distant wells and carry it…
What an incredible November journey it has been! For the first time, the Asia Pacific Leadership Workshop was hosted in history, and the Malaysian chapter had the privilege of welcoming Global Peace representatives from Cambodia, Indonesia, Korea, and the Philippines to the vibrant town of Muadzam Shah, Pahang Muadzam Shah may not be the first…
MUAR , 27 November 2024 – Micron Technology, a leading US-based memory chip company, has partnered with Global Peace Foundation Malaysia to bring sustainable clean water access to over 2,000 Orang Asli residents in Johor and Negeri Sembilan. The project will implement a gravity-fed water system to provide a reliable source of clean water to…
“Pertanian Hutan BEST!!” The cheer of “Pertanian Hutan BEST!!” (meaning “Forest farming is the best!”) perfectly captured the energy and excitement of the day. It was a moment that reflected the enthusiasm both our farmers and our new friends shared! It was a day of learning, and community spirit as we welcomed 40 of our…
Recently, The Edge featured inspiring stories from our Orang Asli farmers in a special ESG 2024 issue, highlighting how families have learned to grow diverse crops and breathe new life into their land. The article beautifully captures the resilience and determination of the Orang Asli farmers, who have faced numerous challenges, from deforestation to the…
Set against the picturesque backdrop of Kempville Kuantan, 49 Orang Asli youth from SMK Muadzam Jaya embarked on a three-day, two-night leadership adventure that promised to empower and inspire. Under the theme “Shining Like a Star,” this unique retreat, lead by ILead Consultant, aimed to boost confidence, foster leadership skills, and create lasting connections among…
In the wake of 2022, as communities worldwide began to recover from the impacts of COVID-19, a pressing reality came to light for the Orang Asli families, the stark loss of income and dwindling food supply. During the lockdown, most Orang Asli families lost their incomes and faced food shortages, relying on unsustainable food relief.…
Each of the 32 children has a unique story. Yet, their paths have converged, highlighting the profound importance of education. For the last 1 year, the Education team led by Normaliati Ali, has managed to enroll and re-enroll 32 children back to school. These children came from the villages of Binjai, Terubing, Cerampak, and Padang…
Our landmark achievement in community upliftment. Marking a significant milestone in our journey since 2014, Global Peace Foundation Malaysia has been honored with the prestigious 6th ASEAN Rural Development and Poverty Eradication Leadership Award 2023 on the 21st November. This esteemed recognition is a testament to our unyielding dedication over the past eight years in…
Celebrating heritage In the heart of Rompin district, a celebration unfolded on the 17th of August 2023, marking the World Indigenous Day. This event, a collaboration between the Jakun Orang Asli Association of Pahang and the Global Peace Foundation Malaysia, was more than a festivity, it was a vivid showcase of the rich cultural heritage…
Nothing encapsulates the feeling of familiarity and comfort like a home cooked meal prepared by the women in our families. However, women’s roles do not just stop at the kitchen. Making up ‘43% of the global agricultural labour force‘, women are central to farming and play vital roles in food security and nutrition at both…
Right outside the small town of Muadzam Shah, Pahang sits an Orang Asli village, Kg. Bukit Biru. Back in 2020, the village made national headlines when an article published by the Malay Mail brought to light the poor living conditions of the villagers. Not only did the village lack access to clean water and electricity,…
As hunter-gatherers by nature, many Orang Asli families lived by gathering from the forest. However, over the recent years, many Orang Asli have had to transition from forest gathering (such as gathering bertam or fishing) to agriculture as their main source of livelihood. This is due in large part by increased deforestation for logging and palm oil.…
Did you know that 53% of Orang Asli communities have no access to clean drinking water? Without clean water, many families also lack access to proper sanitation facilities. This not only compromises the health, safety and dignity of families, but also traps them in a cycle of water poverty. Since 2018, Global Peace has partnered…
As the world celebrates the 75th anniversary of the World Health Organization (WHO) on this year’s World Health Day, we wanted to discuss this year’s theme “Health for All” and the progress made over the years. Founded on April 7, 1948, the WHO has been at the forefront of global health, leading efforts to prevent…
How many of us would ditch our phones and live off the grid among the hills for a week in this day and age? Well, that’s what eight volunteers from all over Malaysia did. Kg. Muk Ayun is located in Sarawak, approximately 60 km away from Kuching – an hour away by car and another…
We started working with the villagers of Kg. Bukit Biru since 2019. Fast forward to today, there’s been an immense change throughout the village. Watch the video below to find out how Global Peace played a role in making the lives of the villagers better and more sustainable:
Behind every brand, there is always a story worth telling. This is the story of Kebun Amai. In the Jakun tribe, the word ‘Amai‘ translates to aunty. Lamenting on the warmth of eating home cooked meals prepared by the women in our families, Kebun Amai tries to encapsulate feelings of familiarity and passion by supporting…
Twenty-one employees from Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia came down to the field to carry out their CSR volunteering activity, not realising their few hours of hard work will play a big role in the future of the Orang Asli (OA) community they had worked in. Mitsubishi Motors’ ‘Safe and Lasting Homes for the Orang Asli’ CSR…
In conjunction with International Rural Women Day which is celebrated globally in October, we’re taking this opportunity to highlight one of the most powerful Orang Asli women we’ve had the privilege to work with this past year – Amai Zailiming from Kg. Padang. A Woman Who Wears Many Hats Speaking to Amai Zailiming (Amai is…
The Global Peace Foundation Malaysia team was awarded the Junior Chamber International Malaysia (JCIM) Sustainable Development Award (SDA) 2022 for spearheading projects that provide access to clean water to Orang Asli communities. The aims of the JCIM SDA are to raise awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals in the public and to recognise various organisations…
As we continue to guide and coach the Orang Asli (OA) farmers in their syntropic farming journey, we realised how important enriching their knowledge of the natural environment is. Because of this, we brought together the network of OA syntropic farmers once again, this time hosted by Pak Ali and his wife, Amai Norma, in…
The Orang Asli communities are considered as one of the most underprivileged communities in the country. However, all this while, I never really thought about them or how they live or whether they are receiving the basic needs or not. It doesn’t help that we rarely hear about them in the media too. My point…
In July, syntropic farmers from various Orang Asli villages gathered at Kg. Guntung Minum Chempedak for a special event which aims to be the first of many. The Program Jaringan Akar was organised – like its name suggests – to create a network of farmers that will be able to share and exchange their knowledge…
As mentioned in our previous article, the principles of syntropic farming revolve around the rules of regeneration which follow the natural course of succession and stratification – giving each plant the ideal conditions for its development. The Orang Asli farmers that we introduce syntropic farming to often come from an agricultural background, which is an…
Syntropic farming has been proving to be a good solution for the Orang Asli communities we work with. Watch the video to find out why we introduced this method of farming to them and how it has benefitted them and their families so far! For more information about our food farming project with the Orang…
Prior to having washrooms, OA villagers would have to brave the open forests, in the dark and during stormy night just to defecate. In partnership with Nestle Malaysia, we’ve helped 25 families build washrooms for their communities. Watch the video to find out how a washroom can ease the burdens of their everyday life. For…
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Over the recent years, many Orang Asli have had to transition from forest hunting and gathering to agriculture as their main source of livelihood. This has been sorely caused by the extensive deforestation surrounding their villages which disables them from collecting produce. When the villagers ventured into other means of survival, they focused their time…
At the commencement of our first volunteer program of the year, six volunteers stepped out of their comfort zones and headed into the Orang Asli villages to help out in our food farming project. After the first day on the field, some felt as if they didn’t have the mental and physical strength to go…
Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) is an essential aspect of hygiene for women and adolescent girls between the ages 12 and 50. However, improper management can contribute to a host of health issues to women and girls globally. Managing menstruation in resource-poor settings such as in indigenous communities and villages can be extremely challenging. Based on…
We took a look at what the teachers and parents of the Mobile School students have to say about the programme after a year since its launch. Watch our video to see and hear how our Mobile School programme, in partnership with the ECM Libra Foundation, has impacted the Orang Asli children in six different…
Deforestation remains as one of the biggest threats to the traditional livelihood of the Orang Asli. Read to learn more about the changing landscapes of their livelihood.
In the Rumah Adat in Kampung Jenit, children from the age of 7 to 11 sit eagerly behind their designated blue tables. With colourful drawings on the wall and a whiteboard in the front, the children begin their studies under the dedicated guidance of their teachers, Liana and Suria. Liana, aged 23 and Suria, aged…
Improving access to lighting for Orang Asli families
Many Orang Asli villages are familiar with the tradition of Rumah Adat, however, many of them do not have one. To support the Orang Asli villagers, we provided them with materials to build a Rumah Adat in their village. Watch our video to see how the Rumah Adat fosters the cultural identity of the Orang…
Many Orang Asli (OA) villages have been in existence for over a hundred years and have a rich culture and tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation. The villages we work with in Pahang comprise mainly of the Jakun people. One of their traditions is the Rumah Adat, or community space. The…
As the sun set behind grey clouds, the natural daylight that illuminated Mamat’s home is now replaced with the harsh white light from our mobile phones. Mamat is a villager living in Kg. Sg Sawak, an Orang Asli village located approximately one hours drive from the town of Muadzam Shah, Pahang. Home to 27 families,…
Throughout my existence, I have never given much thought of the Orang Asli. Maybe I am too comfortable with living a privileged lifestyle to the extent that I didn’t have to think about it. Throughout my first few weeks of internship, I had little to no expectations towards the Orang Asli community and I was…
Imagine taking care of your family and doing household chores in a pitch-dark surrounding. With little to no access to electricity, this is the reality for many Orang Asli women. Watch our video to hear how solar lights can brighten lives. Read more: https://globalpeace.org.my/all-lights-village/ Written byLauren Chew, Communications Officer
The Orang Asli (OA) are some of the most impoverished communities living in Malaysia. Relying on ad-hoc work for income, many of them struggled to make ends meet during the Movement Control Order. With little to no savings, many OA villagers had to depend heavily on food aid. This lack of adequate food not only…
Despite keen interests in farming, many Orang Asli villagers face a multitude of challenges that hinder them from farming successfully. Watch our video to hear their stories of their farming journey. Read more: https://globalpeace.org.my/food-security/ Written byLauren Chew, Communications Officer
The Indigenous people, also known as Orang Asli, are considered to be the most vulnerable people worldwide; This is no exception in Malaysia. As an intern at Global Peace Foundation, I have witnessed parts of Malaysia where the Orang Asli live with little to no access to basic necessities such as clean water, electricity, education…
The crisis of Covid-19, compounded by diminishing forest resources, has exposed many of the dire realities faced by the Orang Asli community. During the Movement Control Order (MCO), many Orang Asli ran out of food supply and had to rely on temporary food aids due to loss of income. This lack of access to adequate…
Each year, waterborne diseases afflict hundreds of millions of people, primarily those living without safe, accessible water. Despite making great strides in the past 20 years to end waterborne diseases, there is still much to be done. Over the years of working with the Orang Asli (OA) community, we found numerous OA villages in the…
THE Covid-19 pandemic and movement restrictions have brought a fortunate turn for some Orang Asli in Muadzam Shah, Pahang, who began growing their own food and are now enjoying the benefits of extra income and improved diets. Tapioca and rice had been the daily staple in the early days of the movement-control order…
Education is a basic right for all children and a critical key to poverty alleviation. Throughout the years of working with the Orang Asli community, we found many Orang Asli children with low literacy skills and high school dropout rates. Many more children have also never attended school at all. There are numerous reasons that…
WHILE Covid-19 shut down most of the economy, especially during the movement-control order, Orang Asli tribes in villages close to Maudzam Shah in Pahang managed to weather the impact by grabbing job opportunities in jungles and plantations. The Malaysian Insight visited four Orang Asli kampung in the Muadzam Shah district and found the villagers in…
On our first trip back to the Orang Asli villages in Pahang since the Movement Control Order, we stopped by Kampung Jenit to check in on the villagers. Sitting cross-legged on the small patio outside Pak Cik Jelita’s house, we learned of Sakura’s struggles with raising her 8 year old son. Occasionally boasting a smile…
Nordin is an outspoken villager and father of three from Kampung Cerampak in Pahang. With a deep passion for farming, Nordin has always desired to plant his own vegetables to provide for his family and fellow villagers. However, his attempts have not been successful due to one simple reason: water. After being diagnosed with Leprosy…
The Movement Control Order (MCO), albeit a necessary measure to curb the spread of COVID-19, is affecting the livelihoods of Malaysians across the socio-economic playing field. With rising unemployment and income disruption, some of our most marginalized orang asli communities (OA) are receiving the greatest blow. With many of them relying on ad-hoc work to…
25 families in Kampung Jenit, Pahang have access to flowing water in their homes for the first time. MUADZAM SHAH, PAHANG – On 19th October 2019, 18 Ecolab Malaysia associates volunteered at an Orang Asli settlement, Kampung Jenit, to complete a water project in collaboration with Global Peace Foundation Malaysia, a non-governmental organisation, that will…
International Day of Rural Women is observed on October 15th every year, a day that brings to the forefront rural women’s important yet uncelebrated role in development – from being caregivers in families, guardians of indigenous knowledge, and workers in agriculture. “Structural barriers and discriminatory social norms continue to constrain women’s decision-making power and political…
International Day of Rural Women is observed on October 15th every year, a day that brings to the forefront rural women’s important yet uncelebrated role in development – from being caregivers in families, guardians of indigenous knowledge, and workers in agriculture. “Structural barriers and discriminatory social norms continue to constrain women’s decision-making power and political…
International Day of Rural Women is observed on October 15th every year, a day that brings to the forefront rural women’s important yet uncelebrated role in development – from being caregivers in families, guardians of indigenous knowledge, and workers in agriculture. “Structural barriers and discriminatory social norms continue to constrain women’s decision-making power and political…
Pilot solar charging station project makes it more accessible to charge mobiles and electronic devices in energy-poor communities. Back in 2018, I wrote an article on “The Insanely High Price to Charge Phones in Orang Asli Villages”. The story came about after we gathered data on energy usage in rural Orang Asli villages, and discovered…
Back in February, we wrote about Pak Long, an inspiring man of mixed Asli-Chinese descent who is content living a simple life without basic needs like water and electricity despite being educated and having 28 years of working experience in Singapore in the construction field. We caught up with him almost every month whenever we…
Orang asli children playing with toys found in a landfill. An ocean of trash spills into a gaping hole in the ground, a grave of sorts where our daily waste goes to rot and decompose. Two young boys are perched on the edge of the cavity, whiling their time away as they watch their father…
This 2019, LANEIGE raises funds for its Waterful Sharing Campaign in hopes of giving better life opportunities to those in need by providing easy access to clean water. KUALA LUMPUR, 19 June 2019 – 60.7% of Orang Asli women and girls in Malaysia’s rural communities bear the burden of having to spend 6 hours a…
Intern Reshna shares her experience and thoughts on visiting an Orang Asli village for the first time. Velocity (ms−1) = Distance travelled (m) / time taken (s) Familiar? We have come across this equation a few times when we were in high school or during our pre-university education. Most of the time, we mulled over…
Surayati and her mother, Norisah, used to carry 16 buckets of water a day from the village well for their family’s use. We helped their village by building a well, pump, and piping leading to their home, improving their access to water.
10-month old baby with lung infection depends on bottled water for drinking and bathing because of contaminated village well water. 42-year old Rohana cradles her daughter, Puteri Rian, close to her. Puteri looks smaller than other 10-month olds, her skinny limbs sorely needing a healthy padding of baby fat. She has not learned to sit…
Burai stands in the doorway of her wooden hut, carrying her year-old son on one hip. She calls out to her daughter, Olivia, and a few seconds later she scurries home, sweaty from an evening spent playing in the village. Daylight is waning fast and soon it will be night. There’s a lot of things…
It’s been a year since we began working with the Ibanese community in Kampung Sion, Sarawak. We started Communities Unite for Purewater (CUP) in this village of 44 families that struggle with water scarcity, providing each family with a filtration and rainwater harvesting system to ease their burden. While the CUP project will draw to…
Malaysia went through a heatwave from February to March with temperatures soaring to a sweltering 40°C in certain states. The hot weather caused dam levels in Johor and Kedah to dip to critical levels, with the possibility of water rationing sparking concerns. While we urban folk are able to make it through the hot weather…
World Water Day falls on Mar 22 every year and is internationally observed by the United Nations (UN). In line with UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) to “ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all”, World Water Day also serves to highlight the plight of the 2.1 billion people in…
A slight figure emerges from the doorway at the sound of our approaching vehicle. We hear his booming welcome even before our car engine dies down. “Apa khabar semua? Lama tak jumpa!” (How is everyone doing? Long time no see!) Pak Long walks over to us and shakes each of our hands. Despite being 70…
Rita, 50, walks home after a long day spent at the market 3km away selling her small harvest of vegetables. She carries a woven basket on her back filled with a heavy but precious load, water.
Surayati’s village is in a remote patch of land, 20km away from the nearest town. She has no access to basic needs like electricity. When night falls, she lights a small fire by burning palm kernels to provide light for her family. Blanketed by darkness, she contemplates why her life has remained unchanged and what…
https://globalpeace.org.my/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/GHD.mp4 Global Handwashing Day is observed every year on October 15th to spread awareness “about the importance of handwashing with soap as an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives.” This year’s theme “Clean Hands – a recipe for health” seeks to remind everyone to practice washing hands before eating, meal…
It’ll only cost you 80 cents* to charge your mobile phone… for a year. That’s unbelievably cheap and a negligible expense. After all, what is 80 cents a year? What if I told you instead that it’ll cost you RM624 to charge your mobile phone for a year? On top of that, it’s going to…
PETALING JAYA, 7 September 2018 – Global Peace Foundation Malaysia (Global Peace) and Nestlé Malaysia today joined hands to launch the Safe Water, Safe Communities project, aimed at providing clean water to underserved orang asli communities. The initiative will engage five villages in Tasik Chini, Pahang, to install water filtration systems that will provide clean water…
Nenek Jamilah is a Jakun orang asli living deep in the interiors of Pahang. Her husband has long passed away so she lives alone. Despite being in her 80s, she still works as a rubber tapper, earning RM60-70 every two weeks. She spent RM25 of her hard-earned money to buy a USB rechargeable lamp to…
In the deep jungles of Pahang, the orang asli live a life deprived of basic needs like clean water. Water poverty is an everyday peril to the community but for the women tasked with fetching water, it is a threat that is slowly eroding their identity as an orang asli, a mother, and a woman.…
Our WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) training is the educational component of our Communities Unite for Purewater (CUP) clean water initiative. In many rural orang asli villages in Malaysia, the scarcity of water, absence of proper sanitation, and poor hygiene habits have led to health issues like skin and waterborne diseases, and broader issues like…
Community Engagement Workshop The first few meetings with a village are critical for the success of our community development programme. It’s an opportunity for us to get to know one another, learn about their life, and start building relationship and trust with the people there. A good engagement would facilitate the community to get…
Semada Belatok is a village of about 200 people, mainly composed of Ibanese natives. Located in Serian division, it is approximately one-hour away from the nearest town, Balai Ringin. To get there, we turned off the main road into an unmarked side road that wound past a quarry, sporadic patches of pepper farms, and oil…
We made a return visit to Kampung Binjai in Pahang, where we installed a water filtration system as part of Laneige’s Waterful Sharing Campaign back in 2016. The orang asli here used to rely on water from a well and pond for their daily needs. Their drinking water was cloudy with an earthy aftertaste, but…
Back in mid-April, five of us went on a trip to Muadzam Shah, Pahang to visit the orang asli communities there; Kampung Padang, Kampung Dungun, and Kampung Pecah Bateri. We spent the night in Kampung Padang in the middle of an oil palm plantation to better understand the lifestyle of the people here. Dr. Teh:…
On 25 April 2018, we were invited to Laneige Malaysia’s Water Bar Media Launch event at ABC Cooking Studio in Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur. This year marks the third year that we’re collaborating with Laneige through their Waterful Sharing Campaign to provide clean water to underprivileged and rural communities suffering from water poverty. To date,…
The evening sun hangs low over the treetops. At this time, most of the people are still out at work, the remaining few women and children sit or nap in their wooden houses, the occasional breeze offering a momentary respite from the humidity. A scratchy, raspy sound interrupts the quiet. It stops for a while,…
Sarawak is the largest state in Malaysia, its land mass comparable to that of the whole of Peninsular Malaysia. It is a wellspring of culture and diversity, and home to an ever-growing population of around 2.6 million people from over 40 sub-ethnic groups. We visited Sarawak early this year on a recce trip to scout…
KUALA LUMPUR, 12 April 2018 – YTL Power International Berhad (YTL Power) today signed a Collaboration Agreement with Agensi Inovasi Malaysia (AIM) and Global Peace Foundation Malaysia (Global Peace) to provide RM184,600 of funding into the Communities Unite for Purewater (CUP) social intervention programme run by Global Peace. YTL Power was represented by Dato’ Yeoh…
It is afternoon, but the village is still. The adults have left early to work in the neighbouring plantations, gathering oil palm fruit that sell at RM2-3 (USD0.50-0.80) per sack. The silence is occasionally broken by the crow of a rooster or the tinkling laughter of children at play. Kampung Padang in rural Muadzam Shah…
The orang asli in Kampung Sungai Chemperoh of Janda Baik, Pahang have long struggled with access to clean water. Their only source of water is from a hilltop stream that takes a 2km walk from their village. However, the water from the stream is unpurified and contains coliform bacteria that threatens the health of the…
When we first visited Kampung Padang, their issue with drinking water was immediately evident. They walk half an hour to the well in the village to collect drinking water, twice or thrice each day. Unfiltered and exposed, their water is completely unsafe for consumption. Due to the inaccessibility to water, let alone to clean water,…
Beyond the quaint Gopeng town of white water rafting and Rafflesia trekking, lays a village named Kampung Ulu Geroh. It is surrounded by durian orchards, rubber, palm oil plantation and forest reserves. The inhabitation of Orang Asli settlement here is dominated by Orang Asli Semai. Global Peace Malaysia paid a visit to Kampung Ulu Geroh…
“We have a house in the city but I said I don’t want.” Wah Rina, a resident of Kampung Ulu Geroh, told us. This is something that most of the villagers of Kampung Ulu Geroh share, their preference to stay near their village homes over the cities. Almost an hour drive away from the nearest…
Sabah, a land known for its beautiful beaches and the majestic Mount Kinabalu! Undoubtedly a breathtaking place. Yet through research and recce, Global Peace Foundation Malaysia came to know that the plight for clean water is prominent in rural parts of this state. In partnership with Breeze, the team under the leadership of Dr. Teh Su…
Around 4-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur, sits a peaceful village called Kampung Binjai. When we first arrived, the children were running around naked, playing in the dirt. The houses were all made from leaves and wooden planks, surrounded mostly by rubber trees. Kampung Binjai in Pahang is one of the many villages in Malaysia which…
Last year, we collaborated with Laneige Malaysia and together we successfully provided clean and safe drinking water through an ultrafiltration water filtration installed in Kampung Ulu Geruntum, Perak and Kampung Binjai, Pahang. On 17 April 2017, Laneige Malaysia held a press conference to officially announce the collaboration with Global Peace Foundation Malaysia on the fundraising…
My First Visit To Kampung Ulu Geroh Going HOME to Gopeng was an eye-opening experience for me as it was my very first visit to an Orang Asli village. My first impression of the community service was an adventurous one as I did not know what to expect from the trip and being an outdoor…
The Alllights Village project brings inexpensive, environmentally friendly solar lanterns to remote communities with limited access to electrical power, providing nighttime illumination for children’s studies and other household needs. GPF Korea previously supported All Lights Villages in the Philippines as part of a joint Global Peace Leadership Exchange initiative between GPF Korea and the GPF Philippines.…
Date: Year 2012 | Venue: Kg. Sosopon & Kg. Terian, Penampang, Sabah, East Malaysia In conjunction with GPLE Malaysia, the GPF Korea decided to extend their ‘Alllights Village’ projects to several areas in East Malaysia, following the programme’s success in Philippines during the Global Peace Leadership Exchange initiative between GPF Korea and the GPF Philippines.…
GPF Korea President Dr. David Yoo announced the expansion of GPFF’s All Lights Village Project to serve rural residents of the Malaysian state of Sabah in Borneo on May 28, 2012. The All Lights Village project brings inexpensive, environmentally friendly solar lanterns to remote communities with limited access to electrical power, providing nighttime illumination for children’s…
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