PITAS: In remote Kampung Mangkapon, where economic opportunities are scarce, a group of women is transforming their traditional skills into a source of income, one bead at a time.
At the heart of this movement is Mariah Doksil, a social entrepreneur and founder of Borneo Divas, who is determined to create sustainable livelihoods for these women through her initiative, Projek Manik-Manik.
It started with a simple request. A few women approached Mariah, asking if she could help sell their handmade lanyards whenever she set up a booth in Kota Kinabalu or Kuala Lumpur.
She agreed but soon realised a challenge, the colours were too bold for the market she was targeting. Some of Projek Manik Manik team members from Kg Mangkapon, Pitas.
“I wanted to support them, but I needed to ensure their products aligned with my booth’s aesthetic. To refine their products without compromising their craftsmanship, I made a deal with them.
“I would provide the materials while they focused on creating the lanyards. This way, I could support their work while maintaining design consistency.”
This shift made a difference. Soft, pastel-coloured lanyards quickly became bestsellers, especially among international buyers. At the same time, demand for traditional black-and-gold beaded lanyards grew, prompting Projek Manik-Manik to produce both variations.
Despite their success in refining designs and appealing to a wider market, the women of Projek Manik-Manik face significant challenges that go beyond beadwork.
“People think our products are expensive, but they don’t realise how much time it takes to make just one lanyard. Some take hours to complete,” Mariah explains.
The intricate beadwork requires precision, patience and skill. Yet buyers often hesitate, unaware of the craftsmanship behind each piece.
The challenge isn’t in the quality of their work, but in educating people on its true value.
Another major hurdle is the village’s remote location. Mangkapon is not easily accessible — it takes four hours to drive from Kota Kinabalu to Pitas, plus another hour on rugged dirt roads by four-wheel drive.
This logistical difficulty makes transporting materials and delivering finished products not only slow but also costly.
To reduce expenses, Mariah hopes that bulk orders will make each trip more worthwhile.
Today, Projek Manik-Manik’s intricate beadwork has found its way beyond Pitas — from the shelves of high-end resorts like Shangri-La Rasa Ria to the hands of national leaders. Beaded lanyards of Projek Manik Manik.
One of Mariah’s proudest moments came when two Members of Parliament purchased the handcrafted lanyards online and wore them during a parliamentary sitting.
It was more than just a sale; it was a powerful statement, an acknowledgment of the women’s artistry and a sign that Projek Manik-Manik was making an impact beyond its rural beginnings.
Yet, despite these milestones, Mariah believes there’s still a long road ahead.
“The government helps, yes. But we need more than just booths at government events. We need access to global markets, just as they support the expansion of local food industries,” she urges.
At its core, Projek Manik-Manik is about economic empowerment and cultural preservation. By supporting these women, Mariah is helping them turn their traditional skills into a sustainable livelihood, proving that with the right support, even the most isolated artisans can thrive.
For Mariah, it’s about creating opportunities for women to succeed on their own terms.
“I shouldn’t feel sorry for them. If anything, I feel sorry for myself — for not being able to bring their talents out into the world sooner.
These women are incredibly skilled, and what they need isn’t sympathy, it’s a market, resources, and recognition,” said Mariah, a journalist.
As Projek Manik-Manik continues to grow, so does the hope that more indigenous artisans will have the chance to showcase their work globally, proving that even the smallest beads, when strung together, can create something powerful and lasting.
