We create and support lasting, local solutions where possible for self-sustainability while advocating for environmental preservation for the water villages. 

The Meraki Daat Sabah Initiative, shortened to Meraki Daat (Meraki, a Greek word encapsulating the act of doing something with complete passion and love, while Daat, a Kadazan -indigenous tribe term signifying ocean), received official charter on July 12, 2022, from the Register of Societies in Malaysia. This nonprofit NGO is dedicated to the transformation of water villages into sustainable ecotourism hubs, achieved through education and empowerment of the water village communities. The initiative encompasses activities that include raising awareness, delivering education, and presenting solutions wherever feasible for proper waste management, environmental preservation, and the generation of sustainable income sources, including tourism. Additionally, the initiative imparts knowledge on appropriate fishing methods and takes on projects for beautification and restoration within the water villages in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 6,11,12,13,14,15 and 17.


Get in touch with us to join hands together in accelerating progress. 

Featured Project

Beach Clean up 

Join Our Community Beach clean up with visitors from around the world🌏!

Join Us for a Coastal Odyssey!

This Sunday, the sun-kissed shores of Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort will come alive with purpose. Imagine sailors from distant horizons—salt in their hair, hearts set on stewardship—joining hands with our cherished in house guests and local community as well as volunteers  from around the city. Together, we’ll sweep away the tide’s offerings: plastic fragments, forgotten flip-flops, and mermaid tears (okay, maybe not the last one, but you get the drift).

As the waves serenade us, we’ll weave stories—of ocean currents and ancient turtles, of coral reefs whispering secrets. Our mission? To leave no trace but footprints in the sand, and perhaps a seashell or two.

So grab a mesh bag, slip on your sun hat, and let’s dance with the tides. Because this isn’t just a cleanup; it’s a love letter to the sea. 🌟🐚

Note: Mermaid sightings not guaranteed, but eco-warrior vibes are.

See you by the shoreline! Sign up here

Dive and Build: 

Join Our Underwater Cleanup and Eco Block Demonstration!

Every day, we're transforming lives and our environment on Gaya Island.

Imagine a world where waste becomes wealth and marginalized communities become the driving force of change. Dive into action and make a difference by participating in our Underwater Cleanup and Eco Block Demo event. Here’s what you can expect:

Date and Time:

How to Participate:

Let’s come together, make waves, and turn plastic waste into positive change. 🌏🐠🌱

We are on track with our program and have launched stage 1 in March 2023. We will continue to update our progress here. Do feel free to contact us for more information as we need donors and volunteers. 

BACKGROUND :
    • THE WATER VILLAGES IN SABAH HAVE BEEN LEFT NEGLECTED FOR YEARS.
    • THE WELFARE OF ITS PEOPLE AND POLLUTION ARE BECOMING AN ISSUE.
OBJECTIVES :
    • HUGE POTENTIAL BY TRANSFORMING THE WATER VILLAGES INTO AN INSTA-WORTHY TOURIST DESTINATION.
    • THE VILLAGES WILL ENJOY THE BENEFIT OF BETTER INCOME WHEN IT IS BEING RECOGNISED AS A TOURIST DESTINATION.
HOW :
    • TO PAINT ALL THE VILLAGE HOUSES AND TRANSFORM INTO VIBRANT & ARTISTIC NEW VILLAGE
    • TO ENGAGE WITH THE TOURISM MINISTRY TO RECOGNISE & PROMOTE THE WATER VILLAGE
    • TO WORK WITH DBKK AND OTHER COUNCILS ON WASTE COLLECTION
    • TO ENGAGE WITH VILLAGERS IN BUILDING NEW BUSINESS (SERVICE & PRODUCTS) FOR TOURISM & THE ENVIRONMENT
    • TO IMPROVE ON EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE