Cargill has joined hands with Yayasan Salam Malaysia (YSM) to help children from underprivileged communities get the appropriate school aid they require via the 'Back to School' programme.
Targeted to primary school students from B40 families, this program aims to reach over 60 schools to support over 3,000 students from both rural and urban areas in Malaysia over the span of two years.
"Education has proven to change lives for the better," said Datuk Yong Soo Heong of Yayasan Salam Malaysia. “It is for this very reason that Yayasan Salam Malaysia is working hand-in-hand with Cargill to support the younger generation who will not only be able to build a better future for themselves but also change the socio-economic circumstances of their families in due course.”
The initiative is part of Cargill's annual school support initiative since 2011, and this year it will be run in 30 schools throughout Malaysia.
Through this program, Cargill and YSM will support students from B40 families, the indigenous communities and orphanages to pursue education by cultivating a passion to learn and providing them with the tools required for learning, including school bags, exercise books, stationery sets, notepads, pencils, water bottles, lunchboxes and other items.
The program not only aims to help reduce the expenses of these families that are in economic need but also supports the community in striving to become more competitive through education.
Puan Shabariah Binti Ismail, Headmistress of Sekolah Seri Kebangsaan Selangor, noted that many of the recipients of the Back To School program come from the B40 communities who are facing challenges due to the impact Covid had on the household income. “With the "Back To School" program, I am sure that the school aid provided will help lessen these families' burden. We are thankful that over the years Cargill has continued to support our children in need through this program.”
"We feel it is important to develop the young minds of today to build the future we desire for our next generation", said Chia-Ye Siam, Country representative for Cargill Malaysia. “With the rise in cost of living coupled by the post Covid pandemic effects, it is an extremely challenging time for many.”
“We hope that through this program we can support them with some of the education expenses for their children and contribute to their learning and development growth as part of our commitment to Malaysia.”