KINABALU AND FRIENDS IN MALAYSIA

From September 4 to 9, Caritas Da Lat staff and a number of farmers in the communities had the opportunity to go to Malaysia, meet with PACOS organization and communities practicing ecological agriculture at the foot of Mount Kinabalu, SaBah state, Malaysia. Harmony, admiration and affection are the three words we dedicate to Kinabalu and our friends in Malaysia. Harmony, admiration and affection were also the feelings that remained with each of us when we left.

Chan blends between people

Right from the moment the plane landed at the airportKota Kinabalu, PACOS warmly welcomed us, their warmth made us feel tired after not being able to land for a long time due to bad weather. The 5 places we visited included PACOS office and school, Tampasak Village, Kiau Village, Tiong village and Bukit Padang Immaculate Conception parish. At these places, we received warm friendship from PACOS students, staff and local people. Especially in Tiong village, we divided into many groups of families, lived with them, ate well, slept well like at home for parents and siblings. During community activities, each family brings a few dishes and everyone eats together. That feature represents harmony within the village and is respectfully given to each Vietnamese guest.

Chan blends Man with Nature

The lives of people in the communities here are closely linked to the forest, at the foot of the majestic Mount Kinabalu, the highest in Southeast Asia. On the way from the city to the foot of Mount Kinabalu, groups of stilt houses appeared on the mountainside, mixed with forests and winding streams that gradually appeared before our eyes. The space is so quiet. The atmosphere is so peaceful. Local people do not exploit much from the forest. They only use small plots of land for farming. All products grown are self-sufficient for the family and shared with those around. If there is surplus, it is sold. Here, friends in Tampasak, Kiau and Tiong consider the surrounding ecosystem a gift and a friend from God. Therefore, trees, water sources, and land are perfectly preserved. The vitality of people and nature here is like a good tree rooted in a land full of nutrients and diversity. You are cultivated from the love of nature, producing good fruit and peace for all Creation.

Through nature we are connected to God and to each other

We are both farmers, so when we share things about agriculture we are really connected to each other. Especially during the seed sharing session on the evening of the 3rd day, farmers appreciated the seeds of their country. Everyone cherishes the lives given to them. Everyone sincerely prayed for God's blessings for good weather and good weather, for the friendship between people and the friendship between people and nature to flourish with those diverse and rich seeds.

AMAZED

Admired by the community's initiatives

The greatest achievement here is community organization in the villages. Gompito etTiong Karanaan were two community organizations that the delegation approached. The common point of the two organizations: building village conventions and promoting indigenous traditions to jointly protect forests and preserve water sources in the area. In agriculture, they "don't bother" to use chemical fertilizers. Furthermore, they also exclude and refuse subsidies from the state. In addition, the structure also includes groups of women, youth, education, social security, economics, culture, etc., contributing to diverse development in all aspects of life and building the ability to self-recover after natural disasters. Here, we met 3 economic development models: The model of processing Pineapple products by Kiau village women, processing household Coffee production and making instant cakes from Tapioca. Each model has a different level of complexity, but they all have a sense of community because they work together and are willing to share all relevant knowledge with us.

Admired by the working spirit of PACOS employees

PACOS is an organization working with ethnic minority groups in SaBah, Malaysia for 30 years. Most veteran employees work long hours and sacrifice their youth to serve the community in the field of natural resource and cultural conservation. PACOS truly understands its people because before working with them, they learn thoroughly about their traditional customs and indigenous knowledge systems. PACOS is truly diligent, persistent and faithful for having  travelled with several communities over the past three decades from its inception until today. As community workers of Caritas Da Lat, we are truly inspired and inspired in our work when we meet PACOS staff.

THANK YOU

To the PACOS friends and Malaysian farmers we met

In the face of a lifestyle in harmony with nature and with people, we love you as people with the same intention. You are the pioneers, giving us an example of "PEACEFULNESS and PEACE"

With your warm, generous, and generous welcome and sharing, we thank you because you bring us many priceless gifts.

In the face of your sacrifice and commitment to the community, we thank you because you have inspired us to commit to the community.

Thank God and thank each other. On the long journey of fighting and striving to preserve nature and culture, we always have each other no matter where we are. May our work always be as steadfast as the peak of Mount Kinabalu, a beautiful symbol that God gave to you and humanity.