In Malaysia, Orang Asli villages are underdeveloped with 77% living below the poverty line due to factors like lack of education and reliable infrastructure, with slow development of basic facilities such as water supply and roads. For instance, Kg. Peta in Mersing, Johor is flood-prone, cutting off villagers' access to clean water, food, and electricity every year during the flood seasons.
Thankfully, here’s where Epic (Extraordinary People Impacting Communities) plays a role. The organization aims to provide homes and tackle the underdeveloped state of these villages – and has built 189 homes for the Orang Asli community since 2011, with the help of 7,000 volunteers.
Newswav speaks to John-Son Oei, the passionate CEO and co-founder of Epic, on the organization’s history and its collaboration with the HEINEKEN Cares programme.
Q: What inspired the formation of Epic?
At Epic, we aspire to empower individuals to make a positive community impact and build a network of like-minded people. Through Epic Homes initiative, we aim to achieve this while providing homes for the Orang Asli community.
Our initiative began with the construction of a single home for Pak Cihong, a man in need. Since then, we recognized that poverty issues vary and are unique to each family, so we hoped to create a decentralized peer-to-peer support system between volunteer builders and local families. This support system would help empower Orang Asli families to overcome adversity and ultimately inspire them to pay it forward and help others.
To achieve this, we set an ambitious target of building a house in just three days and aim to make it possible for non-professionals like ourselves to get involved in the effort. We have witnessed the growth of Epic Homes where Orang Asli builders and local champions who completed villages have also gone out to neighbouring villages to build new homes, train new teams, and embody the whole Epic experience. In terms of sustainability, we’re also in the midst of exploring environmentally sustainable alternatives like bamboo, which will also help lower the cost.
Q: Tell us about your collaboration with HEINEKEN Malaysia through HEINEKEN Cares. How did it start and evolve over time?
The MCO has affected vulnerable groups like the Orang Asli more than the average Malaysian. The HEINEKEN Cares Programme provided crucial support for us in 2021, where we managed to kickstart recovery efforts and distribute food baskets and hygiene kits to families in need.
In December 2021, severe flooding caused by heavy rains affected eight states and left thousands of Malaysians stranded in community centres, prompting us to join forces with the HEINEKEN Cares team once more to provide supplies, aid, and support for those affected.
Q: How do you see the collaboration with HEINEKEN Cares continue in 2022/23?
This year, with the support of HEINEKEN Malaysia, we aim to build the resilience of communities recovering from the pandemic. To ensure sustainability, Epic is exploring farming as a way to provide Orang Asli communities with food security and reduce their reliance on external sources. We have previously kickstarted poultry & vegetable farming in 3 villages including Kampung Orang Asli Peta in Johor, and Kampung Orang Asli Tun Razak & Kampung Orang Asli Gurney in Selangor.
Through our partnership with HEINEKEN Cares, we will receive support from HEINEKEN Malaysia to construct a gravity-fed water system and expand food security measures for the Orang Asli through the building of chicken coops at two locations: Kg Orang Asli Gurney (off the fridge of Ulu Yam Bahru town) and Kg Orang Asli Sg Kelubi (in Hulu Selangor).
Q: Is there any project under the collaboration that you’re proud of?
Like many other Orang Asli communities, Kg Gurney faces the challenges of underdevelopment. Epic partnered with HEINEKEN Cares to install a gravity-fed water system that can supply water to over 20 households and farms in the village, providing them with sustainable access to clean water. Additionally, we’ve expanded our food security initiative by building two more chicken coops in Kampung Orang Asli Kelubi.
Awi a/l Gara, a villager of Kampung Orang Asli Kelubi shared:
“We are thankful not only for our home but for the opportunity to begin chicken farming and learn all about it from the experts. I’m surethat this farm will allow me to provide for both my family, and many others in the village. Thanks to HEINEKEN Malaysia & Epic for making this possible!”
Q: What are your future plans and goals for your NGO, and how do you envision continuing to make a difference?
During MCO, we’ve pivoted to expand our impact beyond building homes. We’ve addressed food security, economic development, education, and health & wellbeing. Collaborating with HEINEKEN Malaysia has given us valuable experience, where we successfully developed effective and sustainable solutions for the communities we serve. We plan to streamline and replicate successful initiatives for future impact.
Epic Homes remains a primary focus for us, and we aim to boost our capacity to construct 100 homes annually. We also welcome opportunities to partner with others, including HEINEKEN Malaysia, for future long-term projects. We are confident in our ability to create a lasting positive impact in our communities.
Q: What is your message to the world, and how can others get involved and support your organisation?
Firstly, never underestimate your ability to make a positive impact. Secondly, recognize that you probably can’t do it alone, but you can join forces with others to achieve something incredible. More businesses should follow in the footsteps of HEINEKEN Malaysia in making dreams of those in need, a reality.
If you want a place to start, join us at Epic, where you’ll make a difference to Orang Asli communities in need. For more information, visit epichome.org
About Epic
Established in 2011, Epic Malaysia (Extraordinary People Impacting Communities) is a non-profit organization that aims to empower individuals to make a positive community impact through their initiatives. They focus on providing homes, clean water, and food security for the Orang Asli communities in Malaysia. Their initiatives include the Epic Homes program, which builds homes for the Orang Asli, and the gravity-fed water system project, which provides sustainable access to clean water.
