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Hopes Malaysia Leading NGO in Malaysia for Rural Development

Hopes Malaysia is a leading NGO in Sabah, Malaysia, dedicated to uplifting rural communities. As a prominent NGO in Malaysia for rural development, we are committed to transforming lives through sustainable solutions and community-focused initiatives, empowering B40 families to build a better future with lasting impact.

Our Mission – Empowering Rural Communities for a Sustainable Future

As a leading NGO in Malaysia for rural development, Hopes Malaysia focuses on driving positive change in the most underserved communities in Sabah. Our mission is to empower rural families through access to clean water, sustainable farming, quality education, and improved infrastructure. We believe in creating solutions that are not only effective but also sustainable, ensuring long-term benefits for rural communities across Malaysia.

 

Our Core Areas of Impact – Transforming Rural Malaysia

At Hopes Malaysia, we are dedicated to improving the lives of rural families through targeted, impactful initiatives. Our work spans several core areas critical to rural development in Malaysia:

Clean Water Access – Ensuring Safe Water for Rural Villages

Water is a vital resource for all, yet many rural villages in Sabah face significant challenges in accessing it. As part of our mission as an NGO in Malaysia for rural development, we have implemented over 200 km of gravity-fed water systems, providing clean and reliable water to over 50,000 people. Our water projects help reduce the financial strain on families who would otherwise need to purchase bottled water, enabling them to focus on other aspects of their well-being.

Sustainable Farming – Empowering Rural Farmers for Long-Term Food Security

Sustainable farming is one of the pillars of rural development. Since our inception, Hopes Malaysia has helped over 900 rural families adopt sustainable farming practices. These initiatives not only ensure food security but also generate income by enabling families to sell surplus produce. Our work has helped increase household incomes by an average of 40%, helping farmers achieve greater self-sufficiency and resilience.

Education – Bridging the Education Gap for Rural Children

Education plays a vital role in rural development. As part of our commitment to rural empowerment, Hopes Malaysia launched a 20-week English literacy program in 2024. This initiative helped 20 rural children improve their English proficiency by 75%. This program provides children in remote areas with the tools they need to succeed in their academic and professional futures.

Infrastructure Development – Rebuilding Bridges for Better Connectivity

Rural infrastructure is often underdeveloped, which can limit access to essential services. Hopes Malaysia has rebuilt over 7,500 meters of suspension bridges in rural Sabah, improving safety and accessibility for over 4,500 villagers. These bridges are critical for schoolchildren, farmers, and families to safely travel and connect with nearby towns and markets.

 

Our Projects – Key Initiatives for Rural Development in Malaysia

As a dedicated NGO in Malaysia for rural development, Hopes Malaysia focuses on projects that address the most pressing needs of rural communities. Here’s a closer look at some of our flagship initiatives:

Gravity Water Systems – Providing Clean Water for Rural Villages

The installation of gravity-fed water systems has been one of our most impactful initiatives. By installing 200 km of pipelines in Sabah, we have helped over 50,000 people access clean and reliable water. This project is a fundamental part of our strategy to improve health, sanitation, and overall economic stability in rural communities.

Sustainable Farming Initiatives – Boosting Food Security and Income

Our sustainable farming initiatives focus on equipping rural families with the tools, training, and resources to grow their own food. In addition to providing food security, these projects have also increased household income by an average of 40%. Families are now able to sell surplus crops, creating a more self-sustaining and economically resilient community.

Rural Education Programs – Empowering the Next Generation

Education is a cornerstone of rural development. Our English literacy program has significantly improved the reading and writing skills of 20 students, enabling them to advance academically. We plan to expand this program to reach even more children who face educational disadvantages in rural Sabah.

Bridge Rebuilding Projects – Enhancing Connectivity and Safety

Our bridge rebuilding projects have been a crucial part of improving rural infrastructure in Sabah. By replacing aging and unsafe wooden suspension bridges, we have enhanced safety and connectivity for thousands of rural residents, ensuring that children can travel to school safely and farmers can access their land without delays.

 

Our Impact – Real Change in Rural Communities

Since our establishment, Hopes Malaysia has made significant strides in rural development across Sabah. Our impact includes:

  • 200 km of gravity-fed water systems providing clean water to 50,000 people.

  • Empowering over 900 rural families through sustainable farming initiatives.

  • Rebuilding over 7,500 meters of bridges to enhance safety for 4,500 villagers.

  • 75% improvement in English proficiency for 20 rural students.

These achievements reflect our dedication to sustainable, long-term solutions that improve the lives of rural families in Malaysia.

 

How You Can Support Our Rural Development Mission

As an NGO in Malaysia for rural development, we rely on the support of donors, volunteers, and corporate partners to continue our impactful work. Here’s how you can get involved:

  • Donate: Your generous contributions enable us to continue providing essential resources and services to rural communities. Donate Now

  • Volunteer: Join us in the field and contribute your time to help implement sustainable solutions in rural areas.

  • Corporate Partnerships: Collaborate with us on CSR initiatives to make a meaningful difference in the lives of rural Malaysians.

  • Spread Awareness: Help raise awareness about the challenges faced by rural communities and the work being done to support them.

Together, we can build a more sustainable future for rural Malaysia.

 

Meet Our Team – Committed to Rural Development in Malaysia

The team behind Hopes Malaysia is made up of passionate individuals dedicated to improving the lives of rural communities in Sabah. Our experts in community development, sustainable farming, water access, and education work tirelessly to ensure that every project is impactful and sustainable. We are committed to delivering long-term benefits to the communities we serve.

 

Our Leadership – Guiding Change in Rural Malaysia

Our leadership team consists of experienced professionals who bring years of expertise in rural development and NGO management. They are driven by a shared mission to create lasting change and empower B40 families in rural Sabah.

Hopes Malaysia team engaging with the rural community to understand their challenges

Our Belief and Core Values

Founded in 2016, Hopes Malaysia is a local NGO committed to transforming the lives of rural communities in Sabah. We believe that true humanitarian, charity and community work lies in creating lasting impact through sustainable, practical and feasible solutions.

Instead of short-term or one-off aid, we focus on empowering Sabah rural communities by teaching them the essential skills to sustainably fulfill their basic needs and thrive. It's not about giving a fish but showing how to fish for a lifetime, fostering self-reliance and sustainability.

We aim to help families build a future where they can stand on their own. This is how real change happens at Hopes Malaysia—through empowerment, not dependency.

Sustainable empowerment to break the cycle of rural poverty. 

Hopes Malaysia team engaging with community to understand their issues, Hopes Malaysia: NGO Empowering Rural Sabah with Sustainable Solutions

Our Beliefs and Core Values - Founded in 2016, Hopes Malaysia is a local NGO committed to transforming the lives of rural communities in Sabah. We believe that true humanitarian, charity and community work lies in creating lasting impact through sustainable, practical and feasible solutions.

Instead of short-term or one-off aid, we focus on empowering Sabah rural communities by teaching them the essential skills to sustainably fulfill their basic needs and thrive. It's not about giving a fish but showing how to fish for a lifetime, fostering self-reliance and sustainability.

We aim to help families build a future where they can stand on their own. This is how real change happens at Hopes Malaysia—through empowerment, not dependency.

Sustainable empowerment to break the cycle of rural poverty. 

Our People, Our Work

The Hopes Malaysia team is a dedicated group based in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. We are locals working alongside the Kota Belud villagers and a diverse group of passionate individuals driven by a commitment to sustainable grassroots change. 

Our diverse team, with members from various backgrounds, each has a specific responsibility to make a lasting difference. Former beneficiaries are also enlisted as Project Site Assistants, further localising our efforts. 

Together, we drive sustainable change for a brighter future in rural Sabah.

Founder

Sam Lee

Hopes Malaysia's founder, Sam Lee

Co-Founder

June Wong

Hopes Malaysia co-founder June

Public Relations Executive

Aaron Bosuang

Hopes Malaysia's Public Relations Executive, Aaron Bosuang

Digital Marketing Executive

Cathleen Pan

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Project Site Assistant

Efandi Eldy Lim

Efandi.jpg

Project Site Assistant

Ezra Ginong

Hopes Malaysia team member,Ezra
villagers working in unity to untie pipes and use walkie talkie to stay connected with eac

Our Mission:
Sustainably Empowering Sabah Rural Communities

Over the years, we have empowered more than 50,000 villagers across 74 poverty-stricken communities in the remote Kadamaian area of Kota Belud, Sabah, boosting their self-sufficiency via sustainable living solutions.

Our focus is on providing the essentials for practical sustainable community development, fostering independence and long-term self-reliance in every aspect of rural life. At our NGO, our mission is to drive long-term sustainable development in rural Sabah by empowering locals to fulfill their basic needs to thrive. 

We are dedicated to improving the self-sufficiency and quality of life for Sabah's rural communities, while fostering environmental care through sustainable, community-led solutions.

Our charity's key initiatives focus on addressing critical needs such as clean water access, food security, education, economic resilience, basic rural infrastructures and environmental sustainability.

By implementing practical, innovative solutions tailored to each community's unique challenges, we upskill rural villagers with practical capabilities to solve their needs, ensuring long-term, sustainable impact for future generations.

We believe that sustainable rural development not only enhances livelihoods but also fosters environmental responsibility for a better tomorrow.

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