The 2020 school year started on a high note for 674 Orang Asli students who received full back-to-school essentials via the A Brighter Future with TOP campaign.
The Orang Asli focused campaign by TOP, an innovative detergent brand from Japan, has set a record for the number of beneficiaries and the extensive contribution that includes new uniforms, shoes, socks, bags, stationeries, exercise books, workbooks, activity books, art and craft supplies, and musical instruments.
TOP collaborated with the Orang Asli Development Department (JAKOA), to deliver the back-to-school necessities to seven Orang Asli communities deep in the interior of Perak, Pahang and Negeri Sembilan so the children are dressed for success, and the financial pressure on families is reduced.
The campaign is in line with the Malaysian Education Blueprint (MEB) 2013-2025[1], that emphasises improving outcomes for Orang Asli students through public private partnership that extends to parents and communities to help transform the education system.
JAKOA Director General, Prof Juli Edo said the campaign has positively uplifted hundreds of Orang Asli families by easing their finances, providing motivation for children to stay in school.
“TOP has made the largest single back-to-school contribution to Orang Asli communities from the private sector, ever. It adds value to the existing assistance provided by JAKOA to Orang Asli students. This strategic public-private collaboration has sparked positivity among children, parents and teachers,” Prof Juli Edo said.
TOP, has held the campaign for five years 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. A total of 2,474 students have benefitted to-date.
Ling Ai Li, handover the art supplies and Ukulele to Headmaster of SK Pos Tenau, Encik Abu Yazid
TOP is famed for its breakthrough Micro-Clean Tech with Anti-Sebum technology developed by Lion Corporation Japan that effectively removes visible and invisible stains for hygienically clean living.
TOP collaborated with leading retailer TESCO to carry out the CSR fund raising campaign from November 15 to December 15, 2019 with 30 cents from the sales of selected TOP products from all TESCO outlets nationwide and Tesco Online channeled towards the Brighter Future with TOP fund.
Southern Lion Sdn Bhd, Marketing Manager (Fabric Care Division) Ms Ling Ai Li shared that public response to the campaign was overwhelming, almost triple the estimated collection, indicating strong support for a brighter future for Orang Asli children.
“From this campaign it is clear that TOP and our customers care for the well-being of Orang Asli children, and are eager to support the Orang Asli community. Our thanks for the support and cooperation from JAKOA, the respective state education, Orang Asli village chiefs or Tok Batin, our retail partner TESCO and to our customers. Together we are making a brighter future possible for 674 children,” Ms Ling explained.
The team from TOP delivered back-to-school essentials to Pos Tenau, holding a laundry workshop for children to share tips on how to clean and maintain their school uniforms at its best, and providing each family that attended a pack of TOP Super White Micro Clean Tech detergent for use at home. The children welcomed the TOP team with a selection of songs in the Semai language.
“The children of Pos Tenau impressed us with their creativity, talent and independence. Their joy at receiving these back-to-school essentials is infectious, turning the presentation into a celebration. Their ability to handwash their own uniforms, even among the youngest students is something all of us should master – they have taken the TOP tagline of Its’s Not Clean Until It is Micro Clean to heart,” said Ms Ling.
The Tok Batin of Pos Tenau in Perak, Yok Komlok A/L Sentor said the community was grateful for the tangible assistance and motivation to its school-going children.
“For parents in our community we look forward to and dread the new school year. Most families have a few children in school, and the costs of their back-to-school needs is very high for us. However, we also want them to receive an education, and feel happy to attend school. When we found out that the Pos Tenau community had been selected for this campaign, children and parents were overjoyed. Thank you for A Brighter Future with TOP!” he said.
Tok Batin Ayof bin Ekal of Kampung Parit Gong, who is also a teacher at SK Putra, Simpang Durian said the contribution was comprehensive, generous and highly welcomed by the Orang Asli community.
“One hundred and ten children from the villages in this area received new uniforms, shoes, socks, bags, stationeries, exercise books and even workbooks. There are also art supplies, and a ukulele. Parents in our community did not have to buy any back-to-school items. TOP and Malaysians have lifted a heavy financial burden from us, and shown that they care for our children,” he said.
To find out more about TOP please visit http://www.southernlion.com.my or call customer care line at 1800-88-0133.
List of recipient Orang Asli Schools, location and number of students:-
No.SchoolsNumber of Orang Asli Students
SK Pos Musoh, Perak70
SK Pos Lemoi, Pahang84
SK Pos Bersih, Perak147
SK Putra, Negeri Sembilan110
SK Pos Tenau, Perak79
SK Sg Mas, Pahang79
SK Sg Mok, Pahang105
Total 674
