By WU VUIDE
KOTA KINABALU: The Society of Hope Sabah has expanded its mission to support orphanages, a girls’ hostel, and children’s homes.
“We made sure there was food on the table for students living far from their families.
“We came to the aid of disaster victims. At every step, I was reminded that while supplies matter, what truly matters is the human spirit, the willingness to stand beside those in need and remind them they are not forgotten,” said the Founder of the Society, Datuk Seri Christina Liew.
What started in 2007 as a makeshift effort to collect food, clothing, blankets and anything they could to help flood victims in January 2007 has evolved into a full-fledged NGO, said Liew during the Society’s Charity Dinner at ITCC.
Liew, who is the State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, said since the renaming of the Society, they had focused on helping underprivileged children’s education through its back-to-school programmes, scholarships, and continuous outreach.
She was also proud of the Society’s achievement which is now a registered charity under the Inland Revenue Board.
“This means every contribution you give, whether as individuals or through your organisations, is tax exempt.
“More than that, it means your giving is part of a recognised movement, building a stronger future for our children and our community,” said Liew.
The Society President Josephine Hadikusumo said Liew started the organisation in response to communities affected by hardship and disasters.
“She raised money to buy rice and other necessities, and went into different communities delivering these necessities to people who were in need,” she said.
Since she took over the mantle, she said their mission became more focused on supporting the needs of children from B40 and hardcore poor families in Sabah.
“We believe education is the most powerful driver to lift children out of the cycle of poverty,” she said.
At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, the Society launched Project Hope Milk Fund, distributing more than 7,400 units of milk powder to children aged one to five across several districts.
“In 2022 to the present, we began the Jom Balik Sekolah campaign, distributing more than 10,000 sets of stationery and exercise books to students across 80 schools in 20 districts in Sabah.
“That effort was recognised with a national record by the Malaysia Book of Records for the largest stationery distribution to underprivileged children,” said Josephine.
“Looking ahead, as we move towards 2026 and 2027, our mission will grow even stronger. We plan to provide school bags and stationery sets to children from hardcore poor communities across all 27 districts in Sabah, from the east coast to the west,” she added.
Every child, no matter where they live, deserves the tools to learn and the confidence to walk into school prepared, she said.
“Beyond supplies, we are committed to scholarships for children from these backgrounds who show consistency in their attendance and focus in their studies.
“These scholarships are not just rewards, they are incentives to help children stay in school, to keep believing in their future, and to break the cycle of poverty through education,” she said.
