Project Date: 18 Aug - 20 Nov 2014
Location: Kg Ulu Tual, Lipis; Pahang
With the cooperation of DAP Pahang, Impian Malaysia -- an NGO under the auspices of the DAP which funds and implements small infrastructure projects in rural areas -- is proud to be associated with helping to improve the sanitation facilities at a village in Pahang recently.
Kg Ulu Tual which is located 2 1⁄2 hours from Raub, is home to approximately 500 people of the Semai community. They live in extremely basic houses and majority of villagers do not have a proper toilet in their premises. They defecate behind bushes or in the river.
The Impian team collaborated with Center of Orang Asli Concern (COAC) and Pusat Didikan Komuniti (PDK) Cenwaey Penaney, a community learning centre in the village, on the project that would directly benefit future students and the community at large. This project also aims to create awareness and instil the importance of sanitation in the village and their lives.
Over a span of 88 days, 60 persons – including the villagers of Kg Ulu Tual, Impian volunteers and PDK folk -- were equally involved in the project from the initial design stage to the completion of the facility.
The project commenced in August 2014 and upon completion last week, it is now affectionally known as the "Rumah Tandas Berkualiti". It boasts a beautiful bamboo and concrete structure that consists of 8 individual rooms, each equipped with toilet and shower facility. The facility is divided into separate sections for males and females. There are 2 wash areas, each comprising 2 wash basins and 2 ablution- style taps.
For flushing, this facility uses water in storage collected via a gravity feed water system. The 2 sitting toilets come complete with a full-flush mechanism, while the other 6 are manual-flush toilets. From the toilet, wastewater (sewage) goes into a manhole then gets directed into a septic tank and the overflow goes into the drain field.
The completion of this project means that the kampung’s 500 villagers are now able to enjoy using safe and proper toilet and washroom facilities, especially those who come to the learning centre. When the learning centre is up and running, children and adults alike can learn more about proper hygiene and sanitation methods that they can then adopt in their daily lives.
It is particularly rewarding to see the villagers taking ownership of a structure that is a result of their hard work. Urban volunteers, on the other hand, have the opportunity to experience first-hand the kampung culture and lifestyle that goes beyond textbooks and knowledge gained from a formal learning environment.