By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Feb 18: DayakDaily has launched its annual travel writing initiative, D’Drift 2026: Tracing Stories Along the Coastal Road, which this year also includes a meaningful stop in Kampung Rajang, Belawai, where the team will deliver 1,000 books to enhance the local library there through the ‘Bless Rural Children with Your Books’ initiative.
The project, conducted in collaboration with Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) and supported by the Kuching Freelance Journalist Association (Pewarta), aims to nurture a love for reading and provide educational resources to rural communities where books are scarce.
Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah described the book donation effort as a very noble initiative that creates a lasting impact in rural communities.
“Distributing the books to rural schools and villages helps extend knowledge to children who may not have access to well-equipped public libraries.
“We do not have big public libraries all over the place. Doing this noble effort will definitely create an impact on the community, deep into the interior,” he said when speaking during the D’Drift 2026 launch held at DayakDaily’s office here today.
Abdul Karim also encouraged corporations, companies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to contribute new or pre-loved books, noting that not all donors are able to personally deliver contributions to remote areas.
“You might not be able to deliver them personally to the rural areas, but DayakDaily and their team would be able to do it for you. That is a very noble effort that I see,” he added.
Also present during the launch ceremony were Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) permanent secretary Morshidi Fredrick, BESarawak acting chief executive officer Jason Tan, MTCP Events Section head Tracy Evon, Pewarta president Peter Sibon and DayakDaily chief editor Karen Bong.
Since its launch in 2022, the programme has made a tangible impact across Sarawak. Over 1,000 books were delivered to SK Lusong Laku for the Penan children in 2022, while in 2023, more than 1,000 storybooks and two large bags of soft toys reached the Orang Ulu community in Ulu Belaga.
During D’Drift’s 2024 expedition to Ulu Baram, the team transported 1,340 second-hand books and three boxes of soft toys to the Reading Corner at the Long Latei Penan Service Centre.
Another batch of more than 1,000 books and 10 large bags of soft toys were delivered to Tarat under ‘Bless Rural Children with Books and Soft Toys’ last year.
Commenting on this year’s initiative, BESarawak acting chief executive officer Jason Tan said: “Every year, D’Drift goes beyond exploring Sarawak’s stories and traditions by creating meaningful impact on the ground. Supporting our ‘Books Build Legacy’ through the delivery of books to Belawai reflects our shared commitment to empowering young readers, strengthening community connections, and ensuring educational opportunities reach children who need them most. Every D’Drift journey also represents a chance to give back to the community.”
BESarawak has supported DayakDaily’s ‘Bless Rural Children with Your Books’ programme since 2022 under the ‘Books Build Legacy’, which is BESarawak’s corporate social responsibility programme aimed at promoting reading and literacy, particularly in rural areas.
Each donation has helped support rural libraries, community centres and reading corners, fostering a culture of learning where resources are often limited.
By combining travel, storytelling, and community outreach, D’Drift continues to demonstrate DayakDaily’s commitment to cultural preservation, education, and social responsibility, proving that every journey brings opportunities to inspire lifelong learning and to nurture curiosity and knowledge in rural communities. — DayakDaily
