Sharing is caring

A community outreach initiative helps an Orang Asli community to lead productive lives and ensure a sustainable future, writes Izwan Ismail

PRIOR to 2015, Kampung Ulu Tual in Kuala Lipis at the eastern part of Pahang lacked basic infrastructures and utilities such as electricity and clean water. The lack of facilities made it hard for the Orang Asli community. A lot of activities had to be done during daylight as these had to stop when it turned dark. Students were not able to ride the digital bandwagon and enjoy the many things a borderless world offers. The lack of clean water also posed health issues for the community.

But with the help of Samsung, things got better. Kampung Ulu Tual, a three-hour drive from Malaysia’s bustling capital, was adopted by the tech giant under its corporate citizenship banner.

Under this initiative, Samsung volunteers took time off from work to spend hours with the locals to improve the infrastructure, and teach the community to use learning tools such as tablets to get connected with the outside world.

The initiative was known as the Nanum Village effort under the brand’s Hope For Tomorrow community-building campaign.

means sharing in Korean and this fits perfectly with Samsung’s unwavering commitment to continue sharing meaningful innovations to sustain social development and support under-served communities all over the globe.

IMPROVING LIVES

Samsung looked beyond the usual donations of food and household supplies and decided to install solar panels to boost electricity supply.

Refrigerators were placed at the Community Learning Centre for the villagers.

Volunteers helped repair their huts, ensuring that the villagers have shelter from the rain and sun.

The Community Learning Centre has two full-time teachers and the hall is also used for community-related activities.

BOOSTING EDUCATION

Good electricity supply in the village paved the way for the children to learn in a much more fun and engaging way.

Samsung donated a Smart TV and Galaxy

Children having fun learning English with Samsung tablets.

Tabs pre-loaded with fun educational content and books for the children. Volunteers tutored the children on how to use the tablets and pre-loaded apps. A signage for the Community Learning Centre was also raised as part of the community service.

The memories made in 2015 were so heartening that Samsung returned to improve the village further the following year.

Volunteers worked closely with the

The Community Learning Centre is equipped with solar panels. Each Orang Asli family received food supplies and bodycare products from Samsung.

locals to improve the facilities by installing additional solar panels and lights, therefore improving the electricity supply.

To ensure that the villagers continue to have access to basic living necessities, Samsung donated food, household, sports and educational supplies.

In addition, the company is targetting to prepare young villagers for future academic achievements by teaching them English, giving them the opportunity to master an additional language before they

embark on the next step of their educational journey.

MORE TO COME

Samsung will return to Kampung Ulu Tual under the Samsung Love & Care Programme, a re-branding of the Samsung Nanum Village initiative, to bring more improvements to its growing community.

It hopes that the programme will be a source of inspiration for other corporations to help communities in need.