Ayam Brand™ Community Care Campaign 2023 Empowers 1,000 Children for a Better Future

Ayam Brand™ Community Care Campaign 2023 Empowers 1,000 Children for a Better Future | I would like to share one fact about Malaysia that some of us might not know. Up to 5.6 million Malaysian school-age children are thought to be doubly affected by malnutrition (according to The 2022-2030 National Strategic Plan to Combat the Double Burden of Malnutrition Among Children in Malaysia). Undernutrition and overnutrition coexisting throughout the life course in the same population is known as the "double burden of malnutrition." To put it briefly, undernourished kids are more likely to grow up to be obese adults.

There's more. Worryingly, the prevalence of visual problems is also increasing among Malaysian youngsters, with myopia prevalence starting at 9.8% at age seven and growing to 34.4% by the time children are 15 years old. While certain eye conditions are unavoidable due to a variety of factors, others are the result of inadequate treatment. 

Ayam Brand™, the 131-year-old household brand known for its extensive selection of high-quality, MSG-free, preservative-free, convenient, and healthful canned food, is returning with its annual Community Care Campaign in 2023 to help with these concerns. Under the hashtag #AyamBersamaMu and using the idea of "Tambah Sihat Bersama Ayam Brand™," it will deliver about 35, 028 healthy meals, or a two-month supply, to over 1,000 children from 25 non-governmental organisations spread across seven states. Beyond the benefit of its goods, Ayam Brand™ and KPJ Healthcare Group will conduct nutrition seminars to teach the kids about better eating habits based on the 3S (Suku-suku Separuh) Malaysian Healthy Plate philosophy. In order to help these kids with their vision problems, Ayam Brand™ is collaborating with Focus Point Vision Care Group Sdn. Bhd. to offer free eye exams and prescription glasses to kids who need them from these homes. 

Every participating home product, such as Ayam Brand™ Soya Flakes Spread, Ayam Brand™ Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce, and Ayam Brand™ Tuna Mayonnaise, is high in protein, calcium, Omega-3 fatty acids, and fibre. 

“The risk of double malnutrition, and myopia among Malaysian children requires action from all parties who can assist including organisations such as Ayam Brand™. This is why we stepped up to help. Ideally all children should have good nutrition from birth. Ayam Brand™ has a long history of contributing our healthy and nutritious products to communities, and we are continuing in that commitment. However, we believe that while providing our products is an immediate solution, over the long term, educating children on making healthier food choices is the key. Our fish products are high in protein, calcium, Omega-3, DHA among other vitamins and minerals that children need for good health, including eye health,” says Ms Teoh Wei Ling, A. Clouet (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.'s Marketing Manager.

A finding from a research by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) revealed that Ayam Brand™ Mackerel in Tomato Sauce has an incredible 7.6X more Omega-3 than an equivalent serving of home-cooked locally caught mackerel, and Ayam Brand™ Sardines in Tomato Sauce has 7.1X more Omega-3 than freshly caught sardines. 

Ms. Teoh Wei Ling continues, "Over the course of its 16-year history, the Ayam Brand Community Care campaign has donated over 2.1 million nutritious meals for charitable purposes, feeding over 27,293 individuals from 610 charity homes and non-governmental organisations."

The Tambah Sihat Bersama Ayam Brand™ #AyamBersamaMu workshop was held at Menara KPJ Kuala Lumpur and involved 398 children from various Klang Valley organisations, including Persatuan Rahoma Darul Fakir Malaysia, Rumah Charis, Yayasan Chow Kit, Trinity Community Children Home Society, Rumah Kasih Harmoni Paya Jaras, Persatuan Rumah Kanak-Kanak Ini Di Sayangi (K.I.D.S), Pertubuhan Kebajikan Anak Yatim Mary, Rumah Kebajikan Dan Anak Yatim dan Saudara Baru An-Najjah, and Pusat Jagaan Juara Jaya.  

Children attended a fun and educational workshop on the Malaysian Healthy Plate, led by dietician Pn Nabihah Hannan Razaleigh of KPJ Tawakkal Kuala Lumpur Specialist Hospital. They also learned about the significance of Omega-3 fatty acids for eye health. The KPJ and Ayam Brand team then helped each youngster put their newly acquired knowledge into practice by helping them prepare a nutritious snack in accordance with the Suku-suku Separuh idea. 

"Proper nutrition is important for children's overall well-being, especially the consumption of protein for growth and development. One of those good protein sources is from fatty fish like tuna, saba, sardine, and mackerel, with good sources of Omega-3, which is vital for children's brain development and eye health. Since our body cannot produce Omega-3 on its own, we need to obtain it from the foods we eat. One should consider to consume at least 2 servings of fatty fish weekly." says Pn Nabihah Hannan Razaleigh.

To further reinforce what they had learned at the workshop, the kids engaged in memory matching and ball toss games, which helped them hone their hand-eye coordination and visual recall skills. Every participant received a gift bag, and the winner team's members each earned a medal. 

Every youngster had an eye examination from the Focus Point team while they were on the premises. Those who need them will shortly receive their prescription eyewear.

The charity houses' representatives conveyed their appreciation for Ayam Brand's ongoing support and the positive influence it will have on the children's lives.

“We always look forward to the Ayam Brand Community Care campaign. Ayam Brand products are delicious, nutritious, and a nice change from our usual meals and we are grateful for this support. We also look forward to the program itself because it is fun, educational, informative and fires up the children’s interest and passion for being healthy and eating well. The addition of prescription spectacles is very welcome, as some of the kids have myopia but glass are expensive. This contribution will help them see a better future!,” says En Jamaluddin Bin Wahab, Rumah Kasih Harmoni Paya Jaras’s Supervisor.

To find out more about the #AyamBersamaMu community care campaign, visit Ayam Brand Website or Ayam Brand Facebook.

#ayambrandmy #AyamBersamaMu #AyamBersamaMu2023 #SukuSukuSeparuh #TeamAboutDigital #RawlinsEats #RawlinsLifestyle #RawlinsGLAM