Sabah Sister receives Muhibbah Award

Sr Dorothy receiving the award from Kurup with Goh (right) and Datuk Henry Goh (left) founders of MacroKiosk.

Kota Kinabalu: Sister Dorothy Amalia Laudi of the Order of Franciscan Sisters (FSIC) has been honoured with the Muhibbah Award for her significant efforts in managing 12 preschools for 156 children in the rural areas of Sabah since 2004.

The award, part of the National Press Club (NPC) and MacroKiosk Muhibbah initiative for Oct 2024, was presented to her by Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup.

The Pensiangan Member of Parliament highlighted the significance of Sister Dorothy’s work, emphasising the impact of supporting initiatives that aim to break the cycle of poverty and bring hope to underprivileged families.

“This award shows the importance of initiatives that uplift communities and make a significant impact on society as a whole.

“I would like to thank the NPC and MacroKiosk for acknowledging Sister Dorothy’s efforts in empowering underprivileged groups in Sabah as well recognising many other ‘unsung heroes’ who carry the spirit of Muhibbah regardless of race, religion.

This initiative is also aligned with Malaysia Madani,” Kurup said.

Often described as a “petite nun with a big heart,” Sister Dorothy’s impactful work was brought to light by the National Press Club (NPC) and MacroKiosk, through media coverage earning her well-deserved accolades.

Seven media editors on the judging panel unanimously chose Sister Dorothy for her unwavering dedication to rural preschool education.

She currently manages 12 kindergartens across various locations, including eight in Paitan, as well as in Kota Marudu, Tambunan, Keningau, and Pensiangan.

She received a cash prize of RM2,000 and a certificate.

Kurup commended the Muhibbah initiative by NPC and MacroKiosk which began last year to recognise the many other unsung heroes of the Muhibbah spirit.

“Sister Dorothy’s mission in Sabah is a powerful reminder of how education can transform lives and uplift communities.

As MP for Pensiangan, “I fully understand the challenges faced by the people in remote areas.

Her efforts to provide pre-school education in under-served areas are truly admirable,” said Kurup.

In 2023, NPC, together with enterprise solutions platform provider Macrokiosk launched the Muhibbah Awards to recognise any individual, group or organisation that best exemplifies the true spirit of Muhibbah in Malaysia.

Last year, the Muhibbah Awards celebrated six winners, showcasing nominees’ contributions to fostering unity and goodwill in the society.

NPC president, Datuk Ahirudin Attan, said Sister Dorothy was the most deserving nominee for October as she had consistently displayed the spirit of Muhibbah with her belief that all children have a right to education regardless of economic status or however remote their homes are.

“We hope that the Muhibbah Award will draw more attention to her noble cause as she obviously need a lot more help than what she has been receiving,” added Ahirudin.

Meanwhile MacroKiosk co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Kenny Goh, described her mission to bring love, joy and hope to the poverty-stricken children as “an extraordinary act of compassion” that has been on-going for almost 20 years.

“Her selfless acts of kindness exemplify the Muhibbah spirit that we, as Malaysians, hold dear. Her unwavering passion for education and commitment to uplifting these poverty-stricken children’s lives is commendable.

“I hope Malaysians become aware of her endeavours and that more people will come forward to ease her journey of making a difference to the lives of these pre-school children,” Goh said.

Sister Dorothy said, “I’m deeply touched by this recognition and I thank God for His blessings.

“I will continue my mission to help educate the poorest of Sabahans in the deep interiors of the State. This is what the Muhibbah spirit is to me.”

Sister Dorothy, a native of Tambunan, graduated from Edith Cowan University in Perth with a Degree in Early Childhood Education in 2005. She was posted to remote Paitan to run mission kindergartens.

She said the kindergartens do not charge fees. Funds for teachers’ salaries, school equipment, and petrol for boats that ferry pupils daily are raised through donations.

Towards this end, she tirelessly “begs” for her children so that they may be able to pursue a tertiary education that “unlocks the golden door to freedom”.

“Half my teaching staff are sent to college to become qualified kindergarten teachers. They also train the other teachers,” she said, adding that all of them are registered with the Education Department.

She said donations are kept in a centralised fund by FSIC, controlled by her convent’s Mother Superior. She hoped more civil groups could help set up early education centres in the interior.

She shared that the high dropout rate among rural children was not only due to logistical challenges but also because students are often unable to keep up with the syllabus, as they started school in Year One without receiving early education.

“Many of these children are from very poor families. Their parents can’t even afford to send them to school. As a result, many are trapped, and they are married off at a young age to reduce the financial burden on their families.

“If they can get good early education, they will have no problem going through primary and secondary school. Hopefully, we can give them a shot at life and break the cycle of poverty.”

Though grateful for those who had journeyed alongside her these last 19 years, Sister Dorothy hoped more sponsors would come forward to assist.

“After all, a university degree has to start with the first step – the kindergarten. And where there is no kindergarten, the children languish and their hopes for further education dashed,” she added.

Those who wish to help Sister Dorothy on her journey can pay into the FSIC Needy Children Education Fund, Maybank account number 510143082167 or text her at +6016-803 0237 for further details.