Good Shepherd Services Youth Ecotourism Project Launched by Sabah Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment on 28 March 2022

Through the initiative of Good Shepherd Services, 12 youth from three villages in Kuilu have collectively developed new eco-tourism products benefitting all three communities. The ecotourism products are the Ratau campsite located alongside the scenic Kampung Ratau river, the Sangod Hill hiking trail in Kampung Lokub and the Watu Kokoluton hiking trail in Kampung Talantang.   All three products can be offered as one integrated or separate packages. 

In launching the new ecotourism products, State’s Tourism, Culture, and Environment Assistant Minister cum Sabah Tourism Board chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said the new eco-tourism destinations developed by the community had the potential to attract more visitors and adventure seekers to explore Kiulu.He stated that “This will strengthen Kuilu’s position as a hub for community-based eco-tourism in the state”.

“We are excited with our eco-tourism products as it fulfills our objectives of generating an income based on the natural environment of our respective villages” said Citinally Dolimin from Kg Ratau.  “The products showcase the beautiful settings which we all grew up in and I speak on behalf of my fellow youths when I say we are very proud of the products developed in partnership with Good Shepherd and the Kuilu Tourism Association” he added.

The ecotourism products fall under a youth entrepreneurship initiative undertaken by Good Shepherd Services as part of a Community Adoption Programme (CAP) launched in March 2021.  The project is funded by RYTHM Foundation. The first phase of the project which was for a duration of 12 months is aimed at providing academic support for children and reducing rural poverty through youth entrepreneurship.

“The ecotourism project forms part of our efforts to work with rural youth and communities to preserve and care for their natural environment” said Tracy Soidi, the Project Manager for Good Shepherd Services.  “In developing these products, there have been extensive discussion held not just among the program participants but with key stakeholders and authorities that include environment impact assessment “said Soidi.

RYTHM Foundation has provided a RM550K grant for Phase 2 of the CAP project which will cover a duration of 24 months starting April 2022.  This new project phase will look into strengthening the children’s support learning programme, developing ecotourism and will incorporate a sustainable livelihood initiative for women. 

Written by,

Tracy Soidi

10 April 2022

Joniston Bangkuai at the launching of the Sabah Community Adoption Program project and the opening of three new eco-tourism products. Along with Joniston are RYTHM Foundation head, Santhi Periasamy (third left), and Good Shepherd Services Board member, Petrus Gimbad (fourth right)

The youth participants, community leaders and Tracy Soidi ( second from right) from Good Shepherd Services

The Bamboo trail is part of a scenic forest hiking experience at Sangod Hill, Kuilu

The waterfall hiking trail at Watu Kokoluton, Kg Talantang

Knowledge-sharing: A community elder teaching one of the youth entrepreneurs the right way to cast a net in the river