'Brighter Future with TOP' Campaign Empowers 420 Orang Asli Students

'Brighter Future with TOP' Campaign Empowers 420 Orang Asli Students | Hello all. How's your days been so far? We're already in February and we are well into the MCO 2.0. 

Just the other day my nephew and niece called and complained about attending too much classes online and their eyes are getting tired of too much smartphone screen. And I know every single parent around the country (if not the globe) is facing and hearing the same complaint too, right?

All these move to virtual portal has to be done as the country (and the globe too) is balancing between protecting the well-being of the population without neglecting the education of the future generation. 

I've shared about my family's complaints, but when compared to the community that has been quite hard, economically, by the pandemic would be the Orang Asli, my family's complaints seems small. And with the recent floods in Johor, Pahang and Perak have further disrupted their incomes, the fear of their children possibly contracting Covid-19 adds to the burdens that they are having. But it is very uplifting to see that the Orang Asli families are not backing away when the whole country could see that they are still eager to send their children to continue schooling for a better future. 

Do  you still remember about 'Brighter Future with TOP' charity campaign that I've shared last year? [read here]. A huge thanks to Malaysians for being the TOP customers and shopped at Tesco that the funds collected exceeded expectation. This has enabled the campaign to empower 420 Orang Asli students from six schools in Pahang, Perak and Johor with back-to-school essentials including two reusable face masks per child and TOP powder detergent has hygienically laundered their uniforms for the 2021 school year. YEAY TO ALL! The number is actually enable the campaign to support an additional 60 students from the initial target of 360 students. 

“Based on consumer spending trends we estimated a much lower fund collection, but TOP customers shopping at Tesco stepped up to support the campaign because Orang Asli education and well-being is an important cause for them as it is for us. We are elated by the caring and kindness of TOP customers. While our team did not visit the Orang Asli schools this year for everyone’s well-being our goal was to equip the students for the academic year, and to help them stay protected against Covid-19.  The JAKOA team efficiently provided on-ground information, and the logistics support to get essentials to these isolated communities. Our thanks to everyone including the respective state education departments, teachers and Orang Asli village chiefs. Four hundred and twenty Orang Asli children have a brighter future thanks to you!” Ms Ling, the Marketing Manager (Fabric Care Division) of Southern Lion Sdn Bhd said. She also thanked TESCO, JAKOA and all the brand's customers for supporting a brighter future for Orang Asli children in these difficult times. 

Ms Hanim Hamdan, the Head of Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility for Tesco Stores (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd echoed Ms Ling's statement and added that the leading retailer fully supported the campaign goals and choose to add value by contributing water bottles and food containers to help Orang Asli students comply with the SOP of physical distancing. 

"The goals of the 'Brighter Future with TOP' campaign resonates with TESCO's value of Evey Little Help Makes A Difference. TESCO is proud to be TOP's retail partner in this campaign for two consecutive year as it promotes making a positive difference in underserved communities such as this. We chose to gift reusable water bottles for the students to stay hydrated and food containers for them to bring healthy and home-made meals so they can ensure to continue physical distancing and to maintain the best hygiene by handling their own food. Our hope is that all of us can stay safe by following the SOPs during this time." Miss Hanim adds. 

Through the campaign, not only the kids received the essentials, the schools also received some essentials. The Orang Asli primary schools that receives the back-to-school eseentials include SK Kampung Kudong (Bekok, Johor), SK Terisu (Cameron Highlands, Pahang), SK Kenering, SK Pahit, SK Batu 4 and SK Pos Dipang. The last four schools are all in Perak. 

Among the essentials that were delivered by the JAKOA' team were new uniforms, shoes, socks, school bagsm stationery sets, pencil cases, colour pencils, exercise books, water bottles, food containers, face masks and a 750gm pack of TOP Super Hygienic Powder Detergent for each child, as well as art supplies and ukuleles for the school. 

"Many Orang Asli communities are economically fragile. The pandemic has severely impacted their livelihood, and the recent fllods have been a setback for some villages that were beginning to recover. The 'Brighter Future with TOP' charity campaign is timely because it eases the strained finances of the parents, motivates and equips the children to head back to schools, and through the contribution of reusable face masks gives them protection agains the virus. This year's campaign show a lot of thoughtfulness towards the communities with add-ons to help them stay protected, including the contribution of TOP Super Hygienic powder detergent, and an unexpected but very welcome one kilogram of TOP powder detergent for approximately 3,000 villagers. The kindness of so many Malaysians, TOP and Tesco will always be remembered." Prof Juli Edo, the JAKOA Director General praising TOP, TESCO, the JAKOA team, teachers and the public who have contributed generously to the campaign.

Tok Batin Ahmad bin Nanggong of Kampung Orang Asli Sg. Getan, Pos Terisu, Cameron Highlands, Pahang, said the community was overjoyed by the assistance as many of them are experiencing strained finances and worries regarding their children's safety as they return to school. 

“Thank you to TOP, Tesco, JAKOA and all who remembered us. This assistance has lifted a heavy burden from us. Many families in our village cannot afford to buy masks for our children, but we still want them to get a good education so they can succeed. The children are so excited and happy to be fully equipped as they head back to school, and parents have the ease of mind in knowing that the masks can protect them. The TOP powder detergent is much appreciated! This is the #kitajagakita spirit in practice!” explains Ahmad. 

FACTS ABOUT 'Brighter Future with TOP' CHARITY CAMPAIGN

The campaign has been held for six years consecutively to motivate students from underserved communities and B40 households to achieve more by boosting their self confidence and self- esteem, and to educate them on caring for their clothing so that they are clean and hygienically laundered. It has benefitted almost 2,900 school children aged between 7 to 17 years from 85 communities in need, including Orang Asli, and NGOs serving orphans and children from single parent households. 

Were you one of the TOP customers that contributed in the success of the campaign? Good job and good for you!

If you want to join in the next charity event (or any other event), do visit http://www.southernlion.com.my or call customer care line at 1800-88-0133

#CerahiKehidupanBersamaTOP #TOPDetergentMalaysia #KitaJagaKita #RawlinsGLAM #RawlinsLifestyle #JAKOA