Siemens also donated RM50,000 to the
CEP initiative, for MACO to set up computer labs in various schools with a
large proportion of students who come from low-income families. This is part of
Siemens’ efforts to help B40 students in Malaysia access high education.
At the start of the pandemic, Siemens
donated used laptops through MACO to support B40 students in their home-based
learning. Its cash and unused furniture donations are a continuous effort to
help underprivileged students.
The floods that took place earlier
this year highlighted the budget constraints that many schools face when it
comes to necessary learning equipment. More than 300 schools were affected by
the 2022 floods, and have not been able to replace essential furniture. This is particularly so for schools in more rural areas such as Pulau Carey. Siemens’ unused office furniture seeks to help solve this problem.
The donated furniture includes desk
chairs, tables and cabinets, worth approximately RM25,000. Most of the
furniture will go towards the set-up of school computer labs, in line with the
CEP initiative to empower students to be future-ready and tech-savvy. Some
furniture will be channelled to NGOs supported by MACO, such as The Inclusive
Outdoor Classroom (IOC), Jireh Charity Village, and Children Training Centre.
Siemens, together with MACO, appeal
to other corporations to donate their unused furniture that could go a long way
to help schools and NGOs that lack these essential equipment. Not only will
this help students have a better learning environment, it will also reduce
waste and enable corporations to recycle their furniture, instead of having
them end up in the landfill.
With many companies still practising
a hybrid work-from-home model, there are likely plenty of unused furniture
pieces sitting in their offices. These pieces could be put to good use in
schools, especially in rural areas where there are even tighter budgets.
To date, MACO has set up computer
labs at the following schools with Siemens funds:
• SJK (C) Kwang Hwa, Sungai Kecil,
Nibong Tebal, Kedah
• SJK (C) Cheroh, Raub, Pahang
• SJK (C) Lanchang, Pahang
• SJK (C) Sungai Buloh, Sungai Siput Utara, Perak
• SJK (T) Ladang Sg Rambai, Bestari Jaya, Selangor
• SJK (T) Pulau Carey Barat
The project will continue in year
2022 as part of Siemens Malaysia’s CSR efforts.