By Joseph Tek
My journey as a board member with the Montfort Youth Training Centre (MYTC) in Kinarut, Sabah began in 2016, though I must confess, it wasn’t entirely of my own design. I was first enticed by the late Helena Kwan and nudged further by Br Francis Xavier Gasper, whose persistence was only matched by their passion. Together, and with many other committed hearts, we helped spearhead MYTC’s fourth module of skills training, a programme close to my own professional roots: oil palm plantation conductorship. Another grand aspiration is in the pipeline, the revival of the girls’ youth training programme.
I still chuckle at the memory of how the deal was sealed. Br Gasper always recalls how my daughter, speaking on my behalf, asked with childlike frankness: “My dad is a very busy person, you know? What exactly does this role entail?” It was a fair question, and one that pierced the armour of polite hesitation better than any formal invitation could.
It was at St Paul’s Chapel that I finally decided, yes, I would commit to this role. Since then, the journey has been one of immense fulfilment: working alongside the Brothers, fellow board members and the dedicated management team, all united by a common vision of empowering youth who deserve not just training, but dignity and hope.
But my true affirmation lies in witnessing the transformation of young men who graduate from MYTC. Their journey is far more than education alone, it is a story of growth, resilience and the unlocking of their hidden potential through guidance, mentorship and the strength of a supportive community.
Read full story in Catholic Sabah Vol 68 No 20 dated Oct 19 2025.
