Kiulu’s nature benefits community
Published on: Sunday, January 08, 2023
By: Lorena Binisol
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One of the suspension bridges in Kiulu.
Many endurance activities had been held due to its strategic location and suitable settings which is also good for shaping all-rounder, well-groomed young adults.
Team building exercise was proven to be benefiting and enhancing both in physical and mental strength.
Kiulu, a part of Tuaran district, has become popular to many adventure-seekers.
The recent collaboration launched by the Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, on partnering with KL-based My Qaseh, was lauded by its community including avid frequenters who had conducted such programmes.
Joniston and Trina of My Qaseh had talks with young participants at the launching.
Robert led a group in team building activity in Kiulu.
My Qaseh CEO Trina Thomas Raj said it is a social enterprise aiming to tackle three main crucial social issues; eradicating homelessness, uplifting rural communities by giving access to social and economic possibilities and assisting youth with job placement opportunities.
Once Kiulu had received the training programmes accordingly, they would move on to other places to discharge similar programmes. The more than 200 suspension bridges in the sub-district makes it an even more attractive place to visit.
One of the frequenters, G-Team Adventure Learning Company led by Robert Sopining confided that their focus is on team-building, recreation and training, all for self-development.
Some of the outdoor activities were flying fox, abseiling, tree climbing, hiking and basic survival. As for team-building activities, Robert said there are three main tasks namely Initiative Games, Team Problem Solving and Orienteering.
Robert’s G-Team company hosted more than 50 programmes catering to youths, students and corporate bodies, and regards Kiulu as a gem and most suitable to organise such activities.
Clients can choose from corporate team building, youth camp, student edu-camp or customised programme.
Robert’s G-Team with one of the visiting groups.
Norita at one of the training programmes for the local community.
Norita Yapi was delighted to learn about the partnership with a social enterprise in the hope to improve and produce quality manpower who would eventually take over the community firms in Kiulu.
Recently-formed company Arippo Venture Tours Sdn Bhd, Norita revealed that both her company and the social enterprise shared similar vision in benefiting the community.
“We focus on what people want; we customise our activities based on the needs, so they would be impactful and meaningful. We are producing quality human capital,” she said, adding that she has a base in Kg Rangalau.
She said by choosing Kiulu as pilot project for the programme under My Qaseh, it spoke volumes on how outsiders regarded the sub-district being active and had imparted countless of experiential learning to many groups of enthusiasts over the years.
“I must thank Datuk Joniston for pursuing it as this is for the sole benefit of our community in Kiulu.
“I am sure other places (in Sabah) would soon be getting the assistance, too,” she said.
She hoped that in the years to come, there would be more quality human capital with excellence be produced, hence Sabah economy too would improve constructively.
Jamaliah Dullah, one of the campers shared her experience during the Sabah Camping Day held in Kiulu being one of the most exciting one.
Jamaliah and her family enjoying the outdoor activities in Kiulu.
“Since the first one, I pledged to carry out our family camping activity once a month. My children enjoy it very much. We benefited so much as we also gain in terms of self-development, confidence and most importantly enjoying nature at its best,” she said.
She said her family did not mind investing tools and accessories meant for outdoor activities as the benefits are endless and it gives substantial amount of joy and happiness being surrounded by nature.
“One thing for sure, Sabah has it all. We only need to make ourselves available to taste our own goodness. We have nature, fauna, suspension bridges, other places might not have, and there are many more,” she said.
She also said that by involving young children in outdoor events, it gives them the sense of responsibility in preserving nature.
“Keeping the surrounding clean, having the love for trees and flowers, keep our river away from rubbish are part of our social responsibility to preserve our mother earth.”
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