Solar panels on the way to rural Sabah hostel troubled by power cuts

Bangkuai (centre, middle row) witnessing the handing over of food items to San Damiano Hostel Kiulu by a group of philanthropists on Jan 21.

KOTA KINABALU: Students at a rural hostel in the Kiulu sub-district, some 40km from here, will not have to worry about studying in the dark soon.

This was after Kiulu assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai approved the installation of solar panels in response to a request from San Damiano Hostel officer-in-charge Sr Jane Sandalun, who raised concerns about power outages affecting the students’ learning.

Emphasising the commitment to support educational facilities, Bangkuai stressed that students deserved an environment where learning is not hindered by external factors.

“It is crucial that we provide the necessary infrastructure to support our students in their educational journey,” he said on Sunday (Jan 21).

“The installation of solar panels will not only mitigate the impact of power outages but also contribute to a conducive learning environment,” added the state Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister.

Bangkuai said this was not only to enhance the hostel’s infrastructure but also to use modern solutions for the students’ benefit.

Sr Jane made the request during a visit by a group of philanthropists to hand over dry food items, witnessed by Bangkuai, on Sunday.

The contribution, worth a total of RM15,000, was coordinated by chefs Collin Tan, Adrian Chong and Daniel Peh, and friends.

“This is the fifth consecutive year that we’ve been able to make this small contribution at the request and encouragement of the Kiulu assemblyman,” said Tan.

“We will continue to make an annual contribution of dry food items to the hostel in conjunction with the Chinese New Year.”

As part of their charitable endeavour, the chefs would also be conducting cooking and baking lessons for students at the hostel.

The lessons planned for early June are a follow-up to a similar programme last year aimed at promoting the importance of a healthy diet among the students.

Sr Jane expressed gratitude to the philanthropists for their ongoing support, as the annual contributions were a significant help in meeting the needs of some 60 students staying at the hostel.

The hostel provides boarding facilities for students from far-flung villages and poor families who find it challenging to walk to school at SM Tun Fuad Stephens, Kiulu on a daily basis.