As part of its three-year Corporate Responsibility commitment to Shan Children’s Home that began last Deepavali, Perodua returned to the Penang home on Friday to shower its occupants with the love, joy and hope that accompany the Festival of Lights.
In the morning while the children were out at kindergarten or school, 10 Perodua volunteers spring-cleaned and decorated the premises, and crafted a beautiful kolam (colourful powder art) at the entrance. Greeted by Perodua UFirst mascot Ken, the kids were truly surprised and overjoyed when they got home.
Perodua gave the home an industrial oven plus other baking equipment and ingredients, worth over RM5,000 in all. The carmaker had earlier this year arranged a bread-making class for the children – today’s contribution follows up on that by opening up the possibility for them to commercialise their baked goods.
“As a truly People First company, Perodua believes in sustainable charity; hence this long-term sustainability project with Shan Children’s Home. Having previously taught these children to bake, we now furnish them with apparatus they can use to do small-scale baking.
“We will then give them guidance on how to market their goods. This approach is two-pronged. One, we hope their takings can alleviate some of the home’s costs, if not support itself fully. Two, we want to encourage the children to develop entrepreneurial skill and thinking,” said Perodua President and Chief Executive
Officer Datuk (Dr) Aminar Rashid Salleh.
“Shan Children’s Home nurtures 20 bright young children between the ages of 5 and 15. I see great potential in them all and hope they can make some money of their own through the education and equipment we have provided. Malaysia’s future leaders and entrepreneurs all have to start somewhere, and we hope it is here for them!” he added.
Perodua also gave the home a RM3,000 cash contribution and money packets to each child and houseparent. The children were then treated to afternoon tea and a fun sand art activity, with their smiles never leaving their faces.
“At the heart of Deepavali is the triumph of light over darkness and hope over despair. We at Perodua sincerely hope we have succeeded in bringing that spirit to the lovely residents of Shan Children’s Home. We pray that they will be happy always and filled with optimism for the future,” said Datuk (Dr) Aminar.
