The Rotaract Club of Klang Valley Unveils Rainwater Harvesting Project at Charter Night

The Rotaract Club of Klang Valley marked a significant milestone at its Charter Night, where a vision to tackle urban flooding and enhance sustainability in the community was unveiled. The “Catch the Rain, Ease the Strain” project focuses on installing rainwater harvesting systems in Sri Muda, a flood-prone area within the Kota Kemuning constituency, as a sustainable solution to the challenges of rising water levels.

Charter President Miss Mahija Menon, who was selected by the Selangor Government earlier this year to serve as Ahli Dewan Negeri (ADN) Muda for N50 Kota Kemuning, shared her personal connection to the town that shaped her formative years. "This is more than just a project for me; it's a way to give back to the community that has shaped who I am," she said.

A United Nations oSicial by profession, Mahija drew inspiration for the project from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) on ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. The project’s design incorporates rainwater harvesting systems that collect rainwater and channel it into storage tanks for recycling, thereby easing the strain on drainage systems while encouraging sustainable water use.

The project has already secured significant financial support, including a RM10,000 pledge from Selangor State Assemblyman for Kota Kemuning, YB Tuan Preakas Sampunathan, and a generous RM20,000 pledge from President of the Malaysian Indian Congress and former President of the Malaysian Senate, Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Vigneswaran Sanasee. Additional contributions, such as RM1,000 from Datin Sri Shaila Nair, have further bolstered the club's initiatives.

Expressing her gratitude, Mahija said, "This project would not have been possible without the incredible support of the man who currently represents Kota Kemuning in the Selangor State Assembly, YB Preakas, and the man who formerly represented the Kota Kemuning constituency in Parliament, Tan Sri Vigneswaran. Their contributions are a testament to their commitment to the people of Kota Kemuning and will play a critical role in implementing the project, which promises to create a lasting impact on the community."

The event drew an impressive guest list, including three-term Member of Parliament for Subang, YB Tuan Wong Chen, who highlighted the importance of sustainable initiatives to combat climate change, and Tan Sri Ravindran Menon, a prominent entrepreneur who also pledged his support for the initiative.

Mahija shared that the project’s initial phase would focus on the installation of rainwater harvesting systems in two schools within the Kota Kemuning constituency. "If the pilot project proves successful, we aim to make this our flagship initiative and expand its implementation in the future,” she added, while expressing gratitude to Past District Governor of Rotary International District 3300 Dr Manohur Kurup for his invaluable guidance on the project’s implementation plans.

The evening not only celebrated the launch of the project, but also served as a rallying call for greater youth participation in meaningful social and environmental initiatives. "It is essential for young people to come together and work on projects that create lasting positive change, benefiting both the planet and the communities that need it most," Mahija emphasized.

With a shared vision and collective determination, the Rotaract Club of Klang Valley and its supporters are charting a path toward innovative, sustainable solutions that will empower communities and contribute to healing the planet for years to come.