KOTA KINABALU: A Franciscan nun who dedicated herself to providing early childhood education to underprivileged children in rural Sabah has won the National Press Club-MACROKIOSK Muhibbah Award last month.
Sister Dorothy Amalia Laudi, known for her unwavering commitment, was unanimously selected by a panel of seven media editors.
Her efforts in managing 12 kindergartens in Paitan and Pensiangan had made a profound impact on rural pre-school education.
Often described as a "petite nun with a big heart", Sister Dorothy of the Order of Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (FSIC) received the award from Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup, who is Pensiangan member of parliament.
Expressing her gratitude, Sister Dorothy said: "I'm deeply touched by this recognition and I thank God for His blessings.
"I will continue my mission to help educate the poorest of Sabahans in the deep interior of the state. This is what the Muhibbah spirit is to me."
Hailing from Tambunan, Sister Dorothy earned her degree in early childhood education from Edith Cowan University in Perth, Australia, in 2005.
She was posted to Paitan, one of Sabah's most remote regions, where she founded eight mission kindergartens.
Today, Sister Dorothy oversees 12 kindergartens across Sabah, including eight in Paitan and one each in Kota Marudu, Tambunan, Keningau, and Pensiangan.
She said the kindergartens, which served 156 children aged 4 to 6, did not charge any fees, relying entirely on donations to cover the teachers' salaries, school materials and fuel for boats to transport pupils.
"The kindergartens wouldn't exist without the generosity of individuals and civil society groups," she said.
Towards this end, Sister Dorothy tirelessly raised funds for her children so they could pursue an education that one day would "unlock the golden door to freedom".
"Half of my teaching staff are sent to college to become qualified kindergarten teachers. They also train the other teachers," she said, adding that all of them were registered with the Education Department,
All donations to run the kindergartens were centrally managed by FSIC under the supervision of her convent's mother superior.
Sister Dorothy emphasised the importance of early childhood education in addressing high dropout among rural children.
With no access to preschool, many rural children struggled with the syllabus when they began Year One. Eventually, they will drop out, especially girls, leading to social issues such as early marriages and perpetuation of poverty.
"Many of these children are from very poor families. Their parents can't even afford to send them to school. As a result, many are trapped in poverty, and they are married off at a young age to reduce the financial burden on their families.
"If they can get a good early education, they will have no problem going through primary and secondary school. Hopefully, we can give them a shot at life and break the cycle of poverty," said Sister Dorothy.
Though grateful for those who had journeyed alongside her the last 19 years, she hoped more sponsors would come forward to assist and more civil groups could help set up early education centres in the interior.
"After all, a university degree has to start with the first step – a kindergarten education. And where there is no kindergarten, the children will languish and their hopes for further education are dashed," she added.
Arthur commended this Muhibbah initiative by the National Press Club (NPC) and MACROKIOSK, which began last year.
"Sister Dorothy's mission in Sabah is a powerful reminder of how education can transform lives and uplift communities. As MP for Pensiangan, I fully understand the challenges faced by the people in remote areas.
"Her efforts to provide pre-school education in under-served areas are truly admirable. By recognising her with this award, NPC and MACROKIOSK are highlighting the importance of supporting initiatives that break the cycle of poverty and bring hope to families in need," he said in a statement.