Community Development
The Jeffrey Cheah Foundation’s community projects are dedicated to uplifting lives by addressing the root causes of social issues and driving sustainable solutions.
Overview
The Sunway Desa Mentari Community Observatory Programme (SDMCOP), supported by the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation, aims to tackle urban poverty and design long-term universal solution that can be tailored to each country’s unique needs. Professor Mahendhiran Sanggaran Nair, the Pro Vice-Chancellor of Research and Sustainability at Sunway University, describes it as a story of two distinct ecosystems only two kilometres apart. On one side is the vibrant Sunway City Kuala Lumpur, and on the other, Desa Mentari, a once-promising low-income housing project now facing immense poverty challenges; a stark contrast between two worlds.
Our Challenges
Without a unified approach, community projects risk falling short of their goals. The Desa Mentari public housing project comprising 10 blocks of apartment buildings and home to 30,000 residents, finds itself in the midst of a poly-crisis.
In combating urban property, our researchers at Sunway University acknowledge the value of employing evidence-based approaches and focusing on identifying the 20% of solutions that will address 80% of the issues for resources to be allocated more effectively in achieving the greatest impact.
The Challenges Faced by the Desa Mentari Community:
Poor maintenance of buildings and facilities in crowded living areas.
Limited learning opportunities for vulnerable, poor, and undocumented children, leading to overall low education.
Health issues include lack of access to quality healthcare, poor hygiene and nutrition.
The major unemployment and low-income jobs in this community are due to low educational attainments, skills levels, and ICT literacy.
Lack of Business Opportunities – foster strong partnerships between government agencies, industries and the Desa Mentari community to strengthen the resilience and economic potential of the micro and SMEs in this community.
Limited youth recreational activities due to insufficient space increase susceptibility to anti-social activities and behaviour.
Security Threats – Hotspot for criminal activities. Dense and poor living conditions increase the potential of conflicts arising among diverse communities living in the locality.
Our Approaches
Creating Lasting Change
The effects of poverty extend beyond the personal experience of the individual or the family itself, it impacts society as a whole and hampers overall economic growth. The Sunway Desa Mentari Community Observatory Programme (SMCDP) adopts a multi sectoral team of experts and is a collaborative effort between the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation, Sunway University, NGOs, government agencies, educational institutions, industry partners, civil society groups and the Desa Mentari community. It is our hope that the SDMCOP empowers, includes, and engages every member of the Desa Mentari community.
Research-Driven, Holistic and Community-Driven
As poverty remains a complex issue , our researchers engage with the community at all levels for a research-driven, holistic approach. The Sunway Desa Mentari Community Observatory Programme aims to develop a comprehensive database through extensive research within the community, focusing on long-term development. By harnessing this invaluable data, policymakers can formulate targeted strategies to address urban poverty and evaluate outcomes. This community development project holds the promise of transforming lives with the hopes of ending generational poverty, and inspiring similar initiatives globally.
Join Us in Restoring Hope
The Sunway Desa Mentari Community Observatory Programme is more than just a project – it is a long-term and multi-pronged solution to create a better future for the Desa Mentari community, and it’s eradicate extreme poverty.
Your contribution will restore hope, reopen doors to opportunities and help break the cycle of poverty. Together, we can turn Desa Mentari into a story of resilience and renewal.