Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
12 Jun 2025
Reply rate
97.3 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
10
Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
Next availability: 1-8th July (extendable depending on suitability and availability). Please arrive in Sipitang on/before the 1st as our transportation will depart to our place in the afternoon of the 1st.
I am an environmental activist, a community leader and advocate for organic farming, dedicated to sustainable development and nature conservation , in the Heart of Borneo, Sabah, Malaysia.
This is a remote village located in the southwestern corner of Sabah, more than 250 kilometers from Kota Kinabalu and close to the border of Kalimantan, Indonesia. Nestled at an altitude of 1,000 meters above sea level, the village is often shrouded in cool mist, concealing some of Borneo’s most underappreciated natural and historical treasures.
The challenges faced by our community are immense. Many of our youth have migrated to cities for work, leaving the village poorly managed and our elderly without adequate care. As an activist, I am committed to addressing the lingering impacts of commercial logging, including bad roads, broken bridges, poverty, river pollution, and habitat destruction.
To tackle these issues, we collaborate with NGOs from Peninsular Malaysia and participate in international forums and conferences in Korea, Japan, and Indonesia. By learning from successful case studies, we encourage local leaders and organizations to gazette our water catchment areas as conservation zones and promote ecotourism to create a sustainable economy.
I have developed an integrated farm that serves not only as a source of livelihood but also as a platform for community education. My organic rice program is supported by the state government and agriculture experts from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). I also rear fish, free-range chickens, goats, and buffaloes, and cultivate vegetables and fruits.
I have established a fish tagal (fish conservation zone) in my farm, both as a play area for my children and as an educational tool to highlight the importance of rivers. I have also launched a wildlife conservation project on my land and secured a small grant to replant wild trees along the riverbanks and on community land.
Through these efforts, I strive to rebuild our village, preserve our environment, and inspire others to take action for a sustainable and resilient future.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Interests
Politics / Social justice
Culture
Sustainability
Farming
Hiking
Nature
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
As a Lundayeh community living in a remote, off-grid village, we offer a unique cultural exchange experience. Volunteers will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the traditions, language, and daily life of our indigenous minority tribe.
You’ll learn about our sustainable way of living, traditional crafts, herbs and medicine, farming practices, and deep connection to the surrounding rainforest. In return, you’ll share your own culture, skills, and perspectives, fostering a meaningful exchange of knowledge and understanding.
During your free time, you can participate in our community programs and you are most welcome to come volunteering with us at our school and church.
Help
We are looking for passionate individuals to help us on our farm. We need someone with expertise in organic farming, agriculture, engineering or enology who can share their knowledge and help with hands-on tasks such as building huts and rice field bunds, repairing bamboo bridge, ponds and gravity-fed pipelines, maintenance, farming, clearing land. Volunteering tasks varies from day to day, depending on the weather and our ongoing projects. If you enjoy camping and outdoor adventures, you’re sure to have an amazing time here.
If you are skilled in IT, you can also assist us with tech needs and handle documentation/photography/videography of our work and projects.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Malay: Fluent
Accommodation
On your first night, you will stay in our home located in the village. The accommodation is a basic shared room with three single beds and communal toilet and shower facilities.
The following day, we will head to the farm, where you will spend most of your time. Your stay will be in either a tent or a small hut with a simple setup, including a mattress, pillow, and mosquito net. Shower facilities are not yet ready, so you'll enjoy a unique experience of bathing with a bucket in the river—it’s refreshing and memorable!
*We are currently building new accommodations, as well as shower and toilet facilities on the farm.
We provide 3 simple, home-cooked meals a day, primarily rice-based.
What else ...
Location:
The nearest town is Sipitang, located about a 5-6 hours drive away. Due to poor road conditions, access is limited to 4WD vehicles. Please be prepared for a bumpy and rough journey.
Electricity and Internet:
Our village is completely off-grid, operating on solar and generator power. There’s no Wi-Fi connection, so you’ll need a SIM card with internet access before arriving. Even the telecommunication tower here runs on a generator—if it runs out of fuel, mobile signal won’t be available either.
How to get to here:
The nearest airport is Kota Kinabalu.
Bus to Sipitang departs from KK Sentral at 7.30/8.30 am (3 hours, RM18-25)
The journey from Sipitang to here costs RM100, which is to be paid directly to the driver. We are located in a remote area which only can be accessed by 4WD vehicle (5-6 hours depending on weather, RM100)
IMPORTANT: We are only able to accept volunteers from the 1st-8th of each month for 1 week. Please arrive in Sipitang on/before the 1st as our transportation will depart to our place in the afternoon of the 1st. You may be able to extend your stay, depending on availability and suitability.
Note : This listing was created and managed by us (Nina & Marcello) and we are based in Italy. We eagerly took the opportunity to help him open the farm to volunteers, as we see it as a meaningful way to contribute to Mother Nature while allowing others to experience the authentic lifestyle of a remote Borneo village. Pangiran is an inspiring individual, always open to fresh ideas and suggestions, making this an enriching and collaborative experience.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (5)
We truly hope Kawthar will continue exploring and one day… read more
As an anthropologist and a nature lover, this was honestly the perfect blend. This place is a paradise where cultural richness and ecological beauty meet in the most… read more
We also managed to create a new jungle… read more
We were rice harvesting, building a fence around the new fruit and vegetable garden, and creating new trekking paths through the jungle for eco tourism. Washing ourselves in the river after work every day was a great experience.
Pangiran and Juean were brilliant hosts. They made… read more
Mario is also a talented musician and a great entertainer - he definitely brought a fun vibe to our time together. He also shared many ideas with us, which we truly… read more
Photos
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.8)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
We truly hope Kawthar will continue exploring and one day… read more
As an anthropologist and a nature lover, this was honestly the perfect blend. This place is a paradise where cultural richness and ecological beauty meet in the most… read more
We also managed to create a new jungle… read more
We were rice harvesting, building a fence around the new fruit and vegetable garden, and creating new trekking paths through the jungle for eco tourism. Washing ourselves in the river after work every day was a great experience.
Pangiran and Juean were brilliant hosts. They made… read more
Mario is also a talented musician and a great entertainer - he definitely brought a fun vibe to our time together. He also shared many ideas with us, which we truly… read more
Martha, thanks for being part of our family. We hope to see you again in the future. Wishing you all the best in everything you do!
The farm is in Long Pasa, a small village located in the heart of Borneo Island. That’s why it takes six hours to reach by 4x4 vehicle. Just reaching the village is an experience in itself!
The experience you can have here is… read more
From all of us, we thank you so much for your kindness and support! We… read more
