Helping build sustainable communities around the world
Beyond work, Sally Low has led humanitarian expeditions to Sri Lanka during the tsunami period, helped build houses with Habitat for Humanity, and also aided humanitarian efforts in India, Nepal, Myanmar and Indonesia over the years. More recently, she has contributed in a variety of ways in Sarawak's Iban community, including generously providing funding for books and stationery for young children in the community. And, in 2018, Sally also helped connect the suppliers of computers and technology to the Chin people in the Chin State in Western Myanmar. This will help support educational and community development of the marginalised people in poorer communities.
Closer home, Sally also consistently provides financial aid and affordable, often free, business coaching and mentorship to needy widows and underprivileged people in Singapore.
Now, with her range of online learning material and kind contributions from students, readers, and learners, Sally hopes to be able to contribute even more to development - helping build sustainable communities around the world.
REFLECTIONS OF SALLY LOW ON THE COMMUNITY SERVICE AND MISSION TO SARAWAK@ BUNU BEGING LONGHOUSE IN NOV 2016
I went with 4 friends to do community service in Sri Aman, Sarawak, where there are Iban people. Our task was to go to Bunu Beging Longhouse, a 5-hour bumpy ride from Kuching International Airport, Sarawak. However, the tough journey was smoothened by the smiles of the Ibans who welcomed us to their home.
When I was at this longhouse, which was about 200 years old, I felt rather at home because the folks were friendly and smiley as if we were part of this “big family”.
This Longhouse comprises 10 extended families living together with a common corridor and a kitchen. The men sleep in the open corridor at night while the ladies and children rest inside the partitioned rooms: one room for each family.
Our team of 5 visited this Iban community with the purpose of bringing them a better life by the installation of better facilities, such as lighting, sanitation systems, and learning spaces for the children to learn and bond. We also imparted soft skills, such as training the women in cooking more healthy food and teaching them hygienic ways of disposal of waste and unwanted materials. We also provided a sustainable source of livelihood for the men through rearing tilapia in the lake there.
During our stay at this Longhouse, time came to a standstill because there were no clocks nor Internet facilities. It was a like a journey into the past where people hunt and fish for a living while the others collect herbs and fruits from the land. Each day was a miracle.
We made a promise to go regularly in 2017 so that the children can learn to interact with the outside world.
Perspectives from Prey Veng Province, Cambodia
An interesting journey to Prey Veng province, Cambodia, brought perspectives on Cambodia and service learning like never before.
Contributed by a volunteer who visited Cambodia twice in 2013, this photo-journal called Perspectives from Prey Veng, Cambodia shares the pictorial perspectives of Prey Angkunh, a small village in Prey Veng province in Cambodia.
Part of the profits from the sale of this photo-journal will be given to charity, to support the underprivileged in less developed communities, especially women and widows. Thank you very much for your kind and generous support!
Sallyforth Enterprise Helps Communities Around the World Have Better Living
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