This project is conducted by the Kadazandusun Language Foundation (KLF). It is a pilot project to improve the literacy of rural communities in the Penampang district of Sabah, Malaysia. It is also designed to lead the community to document the indigenous knowledge system (language and culture) in their midst. The family unit is the target beneficiary of this project. The main objective of this project is to elevate the literacy capacity of the rural families so that they will be more empowered to make documentation of aspects regarding their community that can help them provide a sustainable future for their children or the next generation. Some of the areas that will be documented are in the indigenous knowledge system of the community, such as in language and culture.

KLF will bring together and train a core group of individuals from among the community itself. This core group will later lead literacy classes and plan activities. KLF will also link with a variety of Partner Organizations who can provide services and expertise, such as in healthcare and community-building. KLF will also initiate dialogue with community leaders regarding promoting more educational opportunities in the community.

It is hoped that through this project the main factors impacting literacy in the rural community can be identified and strategies to overcome negative impacts be outlined. KLF expects that with the improved literacy, participants will be able to produce documentations of their indigenous knowledge systems and also become more empowered to take stronger roles and commitment in the future.

Adult learners, some in their seventies, are learning how to write their names down. Poor eyesight affects their learning but patiently they come to class and try their best. Although the literacy class lacked tables, students eagerly made do with benches as tables while being seated on the floor. Although this project was for adult learners, many children were excited to come and see their mothers and grandmothers learn to read and write.

The Kadazandusun Language Foundation (KLF) has been serving the communities in Sabah, Malaysia, since 1995. The basic mission of KLF is to preserve, develop, and promote the Kadazandusun language and other indigenous languages of Sabah. For the past 10 years, KLF has trained communities to write in their own indigenous languages. KLF has also helped to train Kadazandusun language teachers who are presently teaching in over 400 primary schools throughout Sabah. To support the need for written materials in the local languages both in school and at home, KLF has also published books (43 book titles to date). These books contain stories and folklore and also the documentation of culture, such as local foods, plants, customs and rituals. In the pilot "Moyog Family Literacy Project", KLF seeks to focus on the family unit as the catalyst of change in the community. The goal of this project is to enable participants to read and write in their own native languages and further be able to document their indigenous knowledge systems, such as in language and culture. In this pilot project, KLF will endeavour to: (1) develop a literacy project that will integrate meeting other life needs of the community with the help of Participating Organizations (Pos) and (2) empower participants to believe in their own power to change the future. KLF believes that by learning about their own strengths and values, the indigenous community will come together to develop a sustainable future for their entire community.

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