Hartalega helping underprivileged communities during Covid-19

Recognising the plight of underprivileged communities affected by Covid-19 pandemic, Hartalega Holdings Berhad (Hartalega) has extended support to those in need by contributing towards the CSR through its foundation Yayasan Hartalega.

The foundation has actively undertaken a wide range of initiatives, from providing financial contributions, implementing programmes to support schools and youth employment, empowering disadvantaged youth, as well as health education for rural areas.

Kuan Mun Leong, CEO of Hartalega said: “As a company that is committed to touching lives in the community to create 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; providing support in the key areas of education, youth empowerment and health, and addressing relevant issues in vulnerable communities to help improve quality of life during and post Covid-19.”

Yayasan Hartalega recent CSR achievements and initiatives include:

• Contribution to Healthcare Workers
  In March 2020, contribution of RM1 million to The Edge Covid-19 Health Care Workers Support Fund aimed at providing financial assistance to Malaysia’s brave healthcare workers. In addition, contribution of over 2.5 million pieces of gloves to various hospitals and clinics in the country.

• School Programmes
  Distribution of Covid-19 packs to students in rural schools in Batang Berjuntai, Sepang, Banting and in Sabah. This has benefitted 9,000 students from 18 schools. The pack consisted of face masks, pocket hand sanitisers, food vouchers and information leaflet on Covid-19 preventive measures.
  
  Collaboration with Teach For Malaysia to distribute 3000 self-directed learning boxes to 500 students aged 8 to 11 years old whose learning has been most impacted during the school closures. The box contains engaging activities and learning materials, from stationery to activity worksheets and reference books. To date, the first batch of 195 boxes has reached students in Lawas, Sarawak and Semporna, Sabah.
  
• Youth Employment and Empowerment
  Partnership with Sisterhood Alliance for the Bridge of Learning & Development or BOLD@Youth programme, to assist at-risk youth find work. 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.
  
  Partnership with Discover Muay Thai to empower at-risk and underprivileged Malaysian youth through an intensive four-month development programme that allows youth to learn the fundamental life values of Muay Thai such as discipline, respect, self-confidence, resilience, leadership and care, and 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 continued to mentor them consciously as they sought to make a positive impact in society.

• Health Education
  A joint initiative with Athena to create awareness of good health practices among girls and young women. Through an ongoing project, hygienic materials are supplied and menstrual health programmes carried out for B40 communities in rural areas.

Yayasan Hartalega was founded in 2018 as a dedicated entity for Hartalega’s CSR initiatives 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.