For Sabah nun, Christmas means giving the gift of education

Over the past 20 years, Sister Dorothy Amalia Laudi has established 12 kindergartens throughout Sabah for poor children. (Dorothy Amalia Laudi pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

For Christmas, Franciscan nun Sister Dorothy Amalia Laudi hosts an open house for everyone in her village of Kampung Sulit in Paitan, Sabah.

“I want the people to live together peacefully and harmoniously. I want to create a big family in the village, regardless of our religion, race and background,” she told FMT Lifestyle.

This year marks the fourth time she is organising the open house. It will be held on Dec 28.

Preparations for the celebration are a team effort: while Dorothy raises the funds, Muslim women in the village cook the food. Then, Christians and non-Christians alike gather as one to eat, sing, dance, and simply be merry as they fill the rural village with festive cheer.

Dorothy particularly enjoys seeing the children’s faces light up as they unwrap their presents. During the event, the nun, who runs kindergartens in the village and other locations in Sabah, also performs a heartwarming act.

“I publicly ask forgiveness from the students, their parents and the teachers, because throughout the year, I may have hurt them without realising it.”

For Christmas, Dorothy hosts an open house for all the residents of Kampung Sulit, Paitan. (Bossjeckson TikTok pics)

Explaining the true message of Christmas, she shared: “Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Christ, and it brought hope for everyone to be redeemed.”

But more than spreading joy during the season, Dorothy, who is  Dusun, keeps the hope of Christmas alive throughout the year by providing preschool education for underprivileged children.

Over the past 20 years, she has established no fewer than 12 kindergartens throughout Paitan, Kota Marudu, Pensiangan, Keningau, and her hometown of Tambunan.

Often described as a petite nun with a big heart, she threw herself into this mission when she was posted to Paitan after completing her studies in early childhood education at Edith Cowan University, Australia.

There, a deep passion was sparked within her to help less-fortunate children escape poverty through education.

“A university degree has to start with the first step – kindergarten. Without going through kindergarten, the children languish and their hopes for further education are dashed,” she said.

Her students, aged between four and six, are mostly from Sabah’s many indigenous tribes. Their education is free.

Most of the kindergartens are built from wood, but Dorothy now hopes to raise funds to construct concrete buildings. (Dorothy Amalia Laudi pic)

The funds for teachers’ salaries, school equipment, and fuel for the boats that ferry the students to school are raised through donations, made to a centralised bank account with several signatories.

Out of her 26 teachers, all of whom are locals, half are college-trained as qualified kindergarten teachers. By raising the next generation of educators, Dorothy is further cementing her efforts to make a difference among Sabah’s poor.

Her mission has not been easy. The kindergarten buildings, mostly made from wood, are infested with termites and are difficult to maintain. Dorothy is now seeking donations to construct concrete buildings, and improve her teachers’ salaries.

Has she ever felt like giving up? “Yes, so many times. It’s very human, right?” she replied honestly.

But faith in the divine keeps her going. “Instead of leaving it and going somewhere else, I believe there are ways to make things better, with the help of God.”

Seeing her students succeed makes every sacrifice worthwhile. Many, she shared, have gone on to pursue their tertiary education. Ever compassionate, she even raises funds to buy them computers before they begin their studies.

Dorothy is giving underprivileged children in Sabah hope for a better future. (Dorothy Amalia Laudi pics)

Her tireless efforts have not gone unnoticed: she was recently chosen as the October recipient of the National Press Club – Macrokiosk Muhibbah Award.

Looking ahead, she said she is determined to continue making a difference in the lives of children. “My hope is that my students will dream of leaving their villages to study and work, and not stay where they are forever,” she concluded.

The hope of a new beginning and the promise of a better tomorrow: isn’t that what Christmas is all about? - FMT

In this season of giving, how about helping Sister Dorothy Amalia Laudi? For more information, text her at 016-803 0237. She may be able to accept calls when there is mobile phone service.