DKSH Malaysia Improves Learning Environment for Indigenous Children

Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, December 7, 2022 – DKSH, a leading partner for companies seeking to grow their businesses in Asia and beyond, has organized a two-day volunteering trip to visit its adopted Orang Asli preschool in Kampung Sungai Poh, Gopeng, Perak, through a collaboration with SUKA Society – a non-governmental organization that protects and preserves the best interests of children.

The partnership with SUKA Society is part of DKSH Malaysia’s All-Round Improvement in School Education (ARISE) sustainability program, which aims to create sustainable educational change among the indigenous community. Last August, DKSH Malaysia also mobilized volunteers from its Sabah branch office to visit the adopted preschool in Kampung Kipouvo, Penampang and donated furniture, school supplies, and daily necessities to the school.

During the Kampung Sungai Poh preschool visit, 35 DKSH volunteers from the Klang Valley office and the Ipoh branch office set off on a mission to assemble a gazebo and a playground, clean up the school compound, and repaint the school – in hopes to further enhance the young children’s schooling experience. Other than that, the volunteers also brought with them several boxes of educational books and toys, which had been collected through an internal donation drive among the DKSH employees, and they spent some time interacting with the children to understand their daily activities and needs.

DKSH’s subsidiary Famous Amos Chocolate Chip Cookie Corporation, as well as clients represented by DKSH, like Colgate and Oatly, have also participated in this meaningful initiative by sponsoring items such as cookies, toothpaste, and oat drinks to the preschool children. 

Anderson Selvasegaram, Executive Director, SUKA Society, said: “In view of the dire situation of the Orang Asli children’s educational system, we wanted to provide our indigenous community with better access to proper education and ensure that the next generation is not trapped in a never-ending cycle of poverty. We are pleased that DKSH has been with us on this meaningful journey of empowering and sustaining the development of the indigenous community for five consecutive years, and we look forward to continuing our fruitful collaboration in the forthcoming days.”

Puneet Mishra, Head Country Management and Vice President, FMCG, DKSH Malaysia, said: “At DKSH, we are committed to taking responsibility for our environmental and social impact and to contributing to the development of the markets and communities we operate in. We are honored to be able to create a positive impact for the Orang Asli children and the community alongside with SUKA Society.”