KOTA KINABALU : – In a powerful show of unity and purpose, the Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu Pearl, together with fellow Rotary Clubs across Kota Kinabalu, successfully launched the “Walk to End Polio 2025” awareness campaign on Sunday morning at Anjung Selera, Tanjung Lipat, Likas.
A total of 110 participants from nine Rotary Clubs — including RC KK Pearl, RC Likas Bay, RC Kota Kinabalu, RC Tanjung Aru, RC South, RC Sutera, RC Luyang, RC Penampang, and RC Mandarin — along with members from the Inner Wheel Club — joined forces in a symbolic walk to raise awareness about the global fight to eradicate polio.
This impactful event is part of the “End Polio Now” global campaign led by Rotary International, which strives to eradicate polio, a highly contagious viral disease that can cause paralysis and even death. The campaign focuses on:
• Raising public awareness about the dangers of polio,
• Advocating for sustained vaccination efforts, and
• Securing funding to ensure polio is eliminated once and for all.
“This is more than just a walk — it’s a commitment,” said Datin Dr. Jeanette Tambakau, President of the Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu Pearl.
“Every step we take today represents hope for a child to grow up healthy and polio-free. We are proud to lead this initiative in Sabah and to stand in solidarity with our global Rotary family. Polio is preventable — and together, we can end it once and for all.”
She added, “This initiative under our District Governor’s leadership reminds us that Rotary’s strength lies in consistent, collective action.
From Sabah to Singapore to Sarawak to Johor to Melaka to Brunei, we are walking with purpose for a polio-free world.”
This initiative is part of a broader program under Rotary District 3310, spearheaded by District Governor Dr. Shahul Hameed.
• Every week, one Rotary Club in District 3310 organizes a “Walk to End Polio,” engaging Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors, families, and friends in support of the campaign.
• In Sabah, Rotary clubs have committed to holding the walk every 4th week of the month, demonstrating strong regional commitment.
• Objective: To raise sustained awareness and action for the eradication of polio.
Rotary’s Global Fight Against Polio
Rotary has been working to eradicate polio for more than 35 years, and during that time has made remarkable progress, helping to reduce polio cases by over 99.9%.
As a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), Rotary has mobilized billions of dollars, volunteers worldwide, and policy support in the fight to eliminate this crippling disease.
To achieve a polio-free world, the final step is crucial:
We must stop transmission of the virus in the two remaining endemic countries — Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Rotary continues to lead the global call to action — through advocacy, funding, volunteerism, and strategic partnerships — to ensure no child anywhere suffers from polio ever again.
About Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu Pearl
The Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu Pearl is a dynamic, all-women club committed to “Service Above Self.”
As part of Rotary International, the club supports impactful initiatives in health, education, environment, and community development — locally and globally.