Transitioning from a nomadic lifestyle to sedentary agriculture is extremely difficult, especially when the forest you depend on for subsistence has been destroyed.  Of the six thousand formerly nomadic Penan in northern Sarawak who have made the recent transition to sedentary lives, very few will tell you that they are better off now living in government settlements.  In fact, many Penan living in villages suffer extreme rates of poverty, illiteracy and malnutrition.

Yet amidst this bleak backdrop there is real hope for the future.  Six years ago, when the Penan community of Long Sayan created a vision for development and sustainability, it was just a dream.  Today that dream is becoming reality.

Addressing the issues of deforestation, food security, disappearing species and the increased need for cash, Long Sayan initiated a Seed Bank and Nursery Project last year.  This summer more than 5000 tree saplings—including local fruit varieties, valuable hardwoods, and medicinal tree species—were transplanted from the nursery.  Additionally, a rattan nursery was established in order to sustain the supply of materials used in handicraft production. 

The Borneo Project has recently forged ties with a handicraft collective started by women from Long Sayan and four neighboring communities.

The Borneo Project has received the first shipment of rattan mats from the Penan at Long Sayan.  These mats are stunningly beautiful.  They may find their way into room dividers to be sold in the art furniture market, or they may just be sold on their own.  We are very excited about the long term economic prospects of the mat project.  Craft development combined with rattan cultivation and reforestation is helping the Penan find ways out of crushing poverty.

Stop by the office and feast your eyes on these beautiful works of art.  They are selling quickly for a reason!

With continued support from neighboring communities, volunteers  and organizations like Sahabat Alam Malaysian, and the Center for Community Development, Long Sayan and other villages are becoming models for other recently settled Penan communities.

The Borneo Project proudly supports these and other community development initiatives.