The Datai Pledge aims to integrate sustainability and conservation into all aspects of The Datai Langkawi’s business operations and guest experiences; protect and help regenerate the rich terrestrial and marine biodiversity of Langkawi; and enable the local community to thrive. At the heart of its vision is a recognition of the interdependence between ecosystems and humans, and that true impact is achieved when all stakeholders benefit. Comprehensive and far-reaching, the community support programme of The Datai Pledge is the result of a holistic, cross-pillar approach, producing both tangible short and longer-term results.
Four films document the community support programme of The Datai Pledge in Langkawi. Overview covers the breadth of the programme; Geng Bersih Kampung covers the inspiring work of a donation-funded community centre; The Kansha Life Project depicts the efforts of a social enterprise in providing livelihoods to the underprivileged through sustainability-based enterprises; whilst Eco-Schools Programme details the impact of a global sustainability education programme in a local government school. The films introduce the exigent need for each initiative and conclude with achievements attained.
In Overview, Arnaud Girodon explains how the programme has brought together and assisted different segments of the community. Initiatives range from helping local fishers with beach clean ups, supporting artisans with sustainable enterprises, and assisting farmers in cultivating organic produce, to highlighting the work of grass-roots social enterprises, and educating the future citizens of Langkawi on environmental issues.
Geng Bersih Kampung (GBK) tells the story of a lively community space which has provided local youth with an array of life skills. Told from the perspective of its indomitable founder, Zuraidah Zainal Abidin (aka ‘Kak Zu’) and featuring Dr Louisa Ponnampalam, co-founder of NGO MareCet, which is dedicated to marine mammal conservation and research, and also the official partner of the Fish For The Future pillar under The Datai Pledge, the film demonstrates how extra-curricular education can make a difference to self-esteem and life outlook in young people. GBK’s programme includes practicing heritage activities like silat (a traditional martial art), understanding local plants and animals, and improving language skills. Existing purely on private donations and support from The Datai Pledge, GBK’s community space also provides a vital social space for children, many of whom are living below the poverty line (a demographic segment called the ‘B40’ in Malaysia).
The Kansha Life Project documents the work of another social enterprise which has devised creative ways to upcycle and recycle commercial waste that would otherwise end up in the landfill, into beautiful new products for sale, with help from The Datai Pledge. Told from the perspective of a Kansha Life Project volunteer, Mahdar Tahir, the film depicts how the desire to make sustainable change can both provide employment to the B40 community and bring people together, alleviating social ills such as isolation whilst promoting an exchange of ideas.
The Eco-Schools film shows the positive impact of its environmental education programme on pupils of SK Temonyong primary school, one of the three Langkawi schools sponsored by The Datai Pledge. Present in over 5,000 schools in Malaysia, the Eco-Schools programme was brought to the country by the NGO Green Growth Asia Foundation (GGAF). The need for such a programme was highlighted by a recent UN study* which indicated that nine out of ten children in Malaysia have been affected by Climate Change, with many saying they need more knowledge in order to tackle the problem. The film documents the programme’s initiatives and illustrates how educating children on sustainability can produce a ripple effect within their wider community.