Recognising the plight of underprivileged communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, Hartalega Holdings Berhad (Hartalega) has extended support to those in need through its dedicated corporate social responsibility foundation, Yayasan Hartalega.
In line with its aim of enriching quality of life for surrounding communities and contributing to nation-building efforts, Yayasan Hartalega introduced a number of initiatives, ranging from providing financial contributions, implementing programmes to support schools and youth employment, empowering disadvantaged youth, as well as health education for rural areas.
Mr Kuan Mun Leong, Chief Executive Officer of Hartalega, said: “As a company that is committed to touching lives in the community to make a positive impact, we are ever ready to lend a helping hand, especially during these difficult times. Through Yayasan Hartalega, our efforts have been focused on contributing to our healthcare workers, as well as providing support in the key areas of education, youth empowerment and health, in order to address relevant issues in vulnerable communities, and subsequently help improve quality of life during and post COVID-19.”
Yayasan Hartalega recent initiatives include:
- Contributions to Healthcare Workers
In March 2020, Yayasan Hartalega contributed a total of RM1 million to The Edge COVID-19 Health Care Workers Support Fund established by The Edge Media Group, aimed at providing much-needed assistance to Malaysia’s brave healthcare workers. In addition, to date, Hartalega has contributed over 2.5 million pieces of gloves to various hospitals and clinics in Malaysia.
2. School Programmes
Yayasan Hartalega supplied COVID-19 packs to students in rural schools in Batang Berjuntai, Sepang, Banting and Sabah. The pack consisted of face masks, pocket hand sanitisers, food vouchers and an information leaflet to spread awareness among the students on COVID-19 preventive measures. Yayasan Hartalega also supplied hand sanitisers and sanitising equipment to the schools. This has benefitted approximately 9,000 students from 18 schools.
Yayasan Hartalega also teamed up with not-for-profit organisation Teach For Malaysia (TFM) for the Learning Box Project, creating self-directed learning boxes to help students in rural areas continue learning, even with limited internet connectivity or zero bandwidth. The box contains engaging activities and necessary learning materials, from stationery to activity worksheets and reference books. It is specifically tailored to connect to the syllabus for students aged 8 to 11 years old and the activities have bilingual instructions. The project aims to distribute 3,000 self-directed learning boxes to 500 students whose learning has been most impacted during the school closures. To date, the first batch of 195 boxes has reached students in Lawas, Sarawak and Semporna, Sabah.
3. Youth Employment & Empowerment
To help address the growing issue of youth unemployment, Yayasan Hartalega partnered with the Sisterhood Alliance for the Bridge of Learning & Development or BOLD @Youth programme, to assist at-risk youth. Participants are provided with soft skills training and assisted with job placement. The project is currently ongoing until June 2021, targeting 80 to 100 youth in four phases.
Yayasan Hartalega also works with Discover Muay Thai, a social enterprise organisation that aims to empower at-risk and underprivileged Malaysian youth. An intensive four-month development programme allows youth to learn the fundamental life values of Muay Thai such as discipline, respect, self-confidence, resilience, leadership and care, followed by a post academy employment programme to pursue meaningful careers in sports and health. Thus far, the programme has assisted eight participants find gainful employment and continues to mentor them.
4. Health Education
To raise awareness of good health practices among girls and young women, Yayasan Hartalega supports Athena, an organisation which aims to reduce menstrual poverty issues and educate on eco-friendly and safe menstrual hygiene practices. Through the ongoing project, hygienic materials are supplied and menstrual health programmes carried out in B40 communities in rural areas.
Established in 2018 as a dedicated entity for Hartalega’s corporate social responsibility initiatives, Yayasan Hartalega was founded with a vision to help the less fortunate regardless of race, religion and background, and ultimately contribute towards nation-building by cultivating a society that is equitable, harmonious and prosperous.
