About Us

Responding to the call of the sea through a self-sustainable economy and environmental preservation in water villages.

Meraki Daat community and coastline

Our Story

"A journey of passion and purpose"

We create and support lasting, local solutions for self-sustainability while advocating for environmental preservation across Sabah's water villages.

Meraki Daat Initiative (formerly Meraki Daat Sabah Initiative) draws its name from two languages — Meraki, a Greek word for doing something with complete passion and love, and Daat, a Kadazan indigenous term meaning ocean. We received our official charter on 12 July 2022 from the Registrar of Societies Malaysia (PPM-005-12-12072022).

This nonprofit is dedicated to transforming water villages into sustainable ecotourism hubs through education and community empowerment — raising awareness, delivering education, and presenting solutions for proper waste management, environmental preservation, and sustainable income sources including tourism.

We also share knowledge on responsible fishing methods and take on beautification and restoration projects within the water villages, in line with UN Sustainable Development Goals 6, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 17.

What We Do

"Three pillars, one mission"

Education

School programmes and awareness campaigns that equip students and villagers with knowledge on waste management and caring for the marine environment.

Environmental Action

Clean-up drives and innovations like eco-bricks — turning ocean plastic debris into infrastructure, including Malaysia's first Ocean Debris Pathway.

Community Empowerment

Helping villagers build sustainable income through ecotourism, new local businesses, and restored pride in their water villages.

See Us In Action

Our Team

"A group of people who love the ocean."

Michelle de la Harpe

Michelle de la Harpe

President

Alvin Lam Lip Shyan

Alvin Lam Lip Shyan

Vice President

Estelle Lee

Estelle Lee

Honorary Secretary

Marjorie Tann

Marjorie Tann

Honorary Treasurer

Meet the Full Team

Our Journey

"Milestones on the way to restoring Sabah's water villages"

2022

Officially Chartered

Meraki Daat Initiative received its official charter from the Registrar of Societies Malaysia (PPM-005-12-12072022).

Officially chartered
2023

Project Picasso Begins

Launched the transformation of Gaya island water villages into vibrant living canvases.

Project Picasso
2024

Mega Island Clean-Ups

Scaled up community clean-up drives, removing tonnes of plastic waste from Sabah's shores.

Mega Island Clean-Up
2025

UNDP Island Innovation Challenge Winner

Recognised for converting ocean plastic into eco-bricks for community infrastructure.

UNDP award
2025

Malaysia's First Ocean Debris Pathway

Turned ocean plastic debris into the country's first pedestrian pathway of its kind.

Ocean Debris Pathway

Our Approach

"From neglect to a thriving, sustainable future"

Background

The water villages in Sabah have been left neglected for years — the welfare of their people and growing pollution are becoming a serious issue.

Objectives

Transform the water villages into vibrant, insta-worthy tourist destinations — so villagers enjoy better income once recognised as a destination.

How We Do It

  • Paint village houses into a vibrant, artistic new village.
  • Engage the tourism ministry to recognise & promote the water village.
  • Work with DBKK and other councils on waste collection.
  • Help villagers build new businesses (services & products) for tourism & the environment.
  • Improve existing infrastructure.

Be The Change

Every hand helps restore a village. Join us as a volunteer, partner, or supporter — and help transform Sabah's water villages.

Support Our Work