This project aims to minimise the water shortage problem in SMK Kemabong by rainwater harvesting system. Furthermore, a water filter is provided to purify the rainwater so that it is more suitable for domestic use except consumption.

            The project was funded by several individuals through crowd funding. Their sponsored fund was used to support the material, transportation and the food expenses of the project.

There were unanticipated difficulties confronted. The biggest problem that we faced was the experience and knowledge to conduct the project were lacking in this field. We faced a big problem in our design as we were not sure if the design proposed would work or not. However, in order to overcome, we consulted an engineer with experience in the fields, as well as our advisor. Besides that, we also did not really know the specific names of the materials and equipment that we needed. Therefore, we discussed with supplies to ask for help from them. During the installation work, we confronted with unpredictable weather which forced us to stop the work for a while. This problem made our operation schedule slightly shifted. However, we managed to complete the work within the planned period with the commitment of the all members. The initial budget provided was expectedly adequate, which had been managed and planned properly at first stage. However, due to the lack of knowledge, we did not really know the exact amount of equipment to be bought, as this was the first time, we did this kind of project. Therefore, the estimated budget during the implementation of project was not in accordance to the approved budget as stated in the proposal submission.

            Language and culture were not a problem since most of the group members are native Sabahans. One of the group members is an alumnus of SMK Kemabong who used to be a resident in the school dorms.

            The water filter system and pipe connecting worked perfectly well which is beyond our expectation because our team had zero experience in installing gutter and water pipes before conducting this project. Some of the materials costing are much higher than expected and hence wise decisions had been made in order to prevent budget from exceeding.

            The rainwater harvesting system aims to provide purified rainwater to the male hostel as it is located just beside the hostel. The approximate number of students who able to use it is about 300.

            One of the long-term impacts for this project is the gutter system that has already been built. The rainwater will be continuously collected, stored, and supplied to the students. With the proper maintenance, this project is surely a sustainability project. Future generation of the students will surely enjoy the benefits brought by this project and the same system should continuously installed for all buildings in the school. Rainwater harvesting is always one of the best solutions for water problem for now and for the future especially in tropical country such as Malaysia.

Project Hope aims to resolve a water issue faced by the residents of the school. Since the school has a frequent water shortage issue and it creates more problems as the school is a boarding school where there is a need of a continuous water supply for their domestic use, hence this project will be a great tool in solving the issue. Rather than let the rainwater flow off the roof, it is more useful if we can collect the rainwater and filter it to get a clean water supply.

This project does contribute to the long-term happiness. As we know, water access influences people’s health, education, life expectancy and their social development. It happens that when there is no water supply, students are forced to skip school. Hence their educational process will be affected by this water issue. After the implementation of this project, the residents of the school can reduce their reliability on the conventional water supply from the town and starts using this method in order to gain water supply when water shortage happens. So, the school does not longer need to cancel their classes and request the students to get home when there is no water supply at the school.

At the end of this project, it really changed the way we think about our world, especially the way we improve ourselves and gain happiness by helping those who are in needs. Solving their problem does not mean gives us nothing in return but it improves the way we interact effectively and harmoniously with other people. By giving them happiness, we also feel happy as well. In short, everyone’s happiness is not the same.

            Throughout this project success, I never would’ve thought that I share a closer bond with the community of Kemabong and the committee of Project Hope. This project was aimed to provide an improved quality of life to the students of SMK Kemabong which in return teach us an important lesson on the important of sustainable technology, aside from that, this experience also teach me to cope with situation that are not advantageous and challenges which through teamwork and communication pushes us to our very best.