Bringing Light to Kampung Tinanom in Ranau, Sabah

In Thomas Philip, we believe that all of us play an integral role in improving the quality of life of the our society. The act of giving back, regardless of how small the contribution, is a big step towards building a progressive community.

Power to the Powerless 

Imagine life without power. No electrical lighting, no refrigerator, and no Wi-Fi connection. Nights would be lit only by the moon, firewood, candles and kerosene lamps. Going to bed by sundown is a vicissitude of life rather than a choice; because the nearest electrical socket to charge the mobile phone is in a town 3 hours away and fumes from the kerosene lamp burns the lungs.

Access to electricity has been recognised as a basic human right in many international conventions and accords. It is up to those who have the capacity to make a change to find the means to bring power to the powerless.

In 2015, Thomas Philip joined forces with Lightup Borneo - a civil society group that promotes access to electricity and lighting in Borneo's vast interior, to bring light to the heart of Borneo. The NGO has been actively organising community outreach programmes to bring electricity and lighting to off-grid interior Orang Asal villages in Sabah & Sarawak and interior Orang Asli villages in Peninsular Malaysia.  

Our mission goes beyond helping Borneon communities gain access to electricity. The access to electricity is just a launchpad towards greater human empowerment, with better access to information, education, healthcare, and economic growth.

To date, we have worked with Lightup Borneo on the following:

(a) Long Pakan, 40 houses (joint sponsorship with Klscah Women Section); 

(b) Kg Rangan, 20 houses (joint sponsorship with Klscah Women Section); 

(c) Kg Kieyip, 70 houses; 

(d) Sg Toubang, 25 houses; and

(e) Kg Berambang, 20 houses. 

By end of May 2021, this initiative will help more than 190 rural homes gain access to electricity, lighting up the lives of  hundreds of people in Borneo. 

A Little Goes A Long Way

In March 2021, we resume the mission to build a micro-hydropowerplant in Kg. Tinanom in Ranau, Sabah after months of delay due to travel restrictions imposed to curb the spread of Covid-19. Kg Tinanom is a 3-hour drive from Ranau town, with the final 2 hours to be travelled on gravel road. The goal is to build a 5kw pico-hydropowerplant for the benefit of 20 houses; the same amount used to power an average central airconditioning unit for just 2.5 hours.

Every bit of access to electricity can make a huge difference in the lives of those living in remote villages or on the periphery of sprawling urban areas. A single lightbulb at home means the children have more time to do their studies, homemakers get to make handicrafts after sundown to supplement the family's income, and homes get to reduce the use of kerosene lamps that emits harmful gases. Access to electricity and lighting has significant impact on the community's standards of living, life expectancy, literacy level, as well as economic welfare. 

The path towards full rural electrification is long and studded with challenges. Moving forward, we will continue to work in partnership with local communities and kindred spirits on this mission to bring positive impact where it matters most. 

Join Us On This Mission

Join us on this mission to bring light to the heart of Borneo! You can help by:

(A) Volunteering on the installation mission. Volunteer applications to be sent to lightupborneo2013@gmail.com; OR

(B) Donating to Lightup Borneo PLT - CIMB Bank Account No. 8009639861

“You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.”