RCKK Pearl Celebrates a Decade of Service and Welcomes New President at Gala Event

8 September 2025

KOTA KINABALU  : The Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu Pearl (RCKK Pearl) celebrated a significant milestone with its 10th anniversary and 11th installation ceremony at the Hilton Kota Kinabalu. Under the theme “Honouring a Decade of Pearl Resilience and Radiance”, the event coincided with Rotary International’s 2025–26 theme, “Unite for Good”, bringing together dignitaries, business leaders, community partners, and Rotarians from across the region to mark ten years of service and to install Datin Dr. Jeanette Tambakau as the club’s new President.

The celebration was attended by the Guest of Honour, Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun, Sabah’s Minister of Finance. In his keynote address, he praised RCKK Pearl for its remarkable contributions to Sabah over the past decade, emphasising the club’s alignment with the State Government’s Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya roadmap.

Founded in 2015 as Sabah’s first all-women Rotary Club, RCKK Pearl has led impactful projects across Rotary International’s seven focus areas, transforming thousands of lives throughout the state.

One of the key initiatives is the WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) programme, which has delivered clean water to 38 villages across six districts, benefiting 15,803 rural residents with a total investment of RM1.53 million. Looking ahead to the Rotary Year 2025–26, the club aims to raise RM2.8 million for future projects, including gravity-fed water systems in Sipitang, groundwater systems in Pitas, and sanitation upgrades in Kota Marudu. These projects are about more than infrastructure, they are about transforming lives, restoring dignity, and fostering healthier communities.

RCKK Pearl is calling on government ministries, GLCs, and corporations to partner through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes.

Such collaborations offer organisations a meaningful opportunity to contribute to societal and environmental wellbeing while making a tangible difference in rural Sabah. Partners can help provide clean water, improve health outcomes, and uplift communities for generations to come, creating a legacy of hope and sustainability.

Another major focus is Project REAL (Rural Focused English for All), which aims to improve literacy for over 12,000 students across 51 schools through teacher training and resource development. The club plans to expand this initiative in 2025–26 to reach six additional schools, ensuring more rural Sabah students gain access to quality English education.

The club also promotes environmental conservation through Project Kelip-Kelip, which restores mangroves, protects biodiversity, and supports community-based eco-tourism. Additionally, the recently completed Ibu Sejahtera Programme has supported over 100 young mothers and their families with healthcare and empowerment initiatives. The Hope in Sight programme continues to restore vision within B40 communities through cataract surgeries and eye health services.

Through strategic partnerships with government agencies, corporations, NGOs, and international Rotary Clubs, RCKK Pearl continues to deliver sustainable solutions in healthcare, education, environmental conservation, and women’s empowerment.

In her inaugural speech, President Datin Dr. Jeanette Tambakau outlined her vision, guided by Rotary District 3310’s Triple Three Framework. She emphasised the importance of awareness, knowledge, and action as tools to drive change, alongside the pillars of innovation, continuity, and partnership. Her three main goals are to strengthen clubs, create lasting change, and uplift The Rotary Foundation.

She expressed her pride in the club’s journey, saying, “Our story began with over 70 women united by a dream to serve. A decade later, we stand stronger, more determined, and ready for the next chapter. Let us serve with compassion, act with courage, and lead with love.”

Meanwhile, outgoing President Chendramata Sinteh reflected on the club’s significant achievements during her tenure and outlined future plans focused on community development and environmental conservation.

In her farewell address, she highlighted several key projects undertaken by the club, including REAL, established in twelve schools across Pitas, Beaufort, and Papar, which provided storybooks, projectors, screens, and dictionaries. Teachers were also trained to better support students, with the aim of unlocking opportunities for children through English literacy.

She also spotlighted the PearlEmpower: Grow & Glow Market, a project supporting local startups and boosting community economic activity. She emphasised the collaborative effort of all nine Rotary clubs in Kota Kinabalu working together to achieve this success.

Disaster relief efforts were another cornerstone of her leadership. The club provided aid to eleven districts affected by floods and wildfires, distributing food, school supplies, and essential equipment—offering communities reassurance in times of crisis.

Environmental conservation initiatives, such as Project Kelip-Kelip and Mangrove Rehabilitation, saw the planting of 6,000 mangrove trees, the revival of endangered fireflies, and community education on environmental protection. These efforts exemplify Rotary’s commitment to creating a brighter, sustainable future.

“Thanks to these collective efforts, RCKK Pearl received the ‘Club Excellence Award with Distinction’ at the District Conference in Bali, alongside three Merit Awards for Local Community Service, International Service, and Vocational Service. The club was also recognised as the most active participant in the End Polio Now Step-Up Challenge, demonstrating the club’s strength, spirit, and unity.”

The evening featured vibrant cultural performances by Sabah Tourism Board dancers, the Befor3 Band, and an Argentine Tango showcase with award-winning saxophonist Zara Goh Flintoft. Performers included Datin Pauline, Jorence, and Myra Lily Aduk. Fundraising activities were organised to benefit the Seri Mengasih Centre.

Founded in 2015, RCKK Pearl is a vibrant all-women Rotary Club committed to advancing education, health, water access, environmental conservation, and economic empowerment across Sabah. Over the past decade, the club has impacted tens of thousands of lives, building a legacy of service that continues to inspire.