Connect for humanity
The Internet is more than just a connectivity tool. It has the power to inspire, writes Nur Zarina Othman
EMBARKING on a brand campaign to demonstrate the potential and possibilities of what technology and the Internet can do for people, Maxis proves that there is more to what we see when it comes to staying connected.
Inspired by true stories, this telecommunications company has produced a series of documentary films to show how the Internet has created remarkable opportunities for humanity.
The individuals in these films have not only changed their own lives but enriched the lives of others too.
FOOD FOR THE SOUL
When friends Kim Lim, Swee Lin and Suzanne Ling saw a group of refugees having difficulties making ends meet, they turned to the Internet for a solution.
They wanted to do something to ease their burden and suffering. After all, these refugees and their children have been displaced from their home country.
Kim Lim, Swee Lin and Ling, along with other friends, set up PichaEats (www. pichaeats.com), hoping to help these refugee families.
Starting with three families in 2016, PichaEats currently empowers 15 refugee families with a means to earn a living.
PichaEats works as a platform to list meals freshly prepared by the refugee families.
The menus comprise a variety of the refugees’ homeland dishes which they are more than ready to share with Malaysians.
These are recipes handed down from generations and are the only “treasures” they have brought along.
For Maxis, it is about providing opportunity for businesses such as PichaEats, and the company has made the service accessible through the MyMaxis app where businesses can leverage on the telco’s clientele list.
With the power of the Internet, these platforms not only help families settle debts but also help put food on the table. More importantly, the children of these displaced families are where they belong, in school, learning.
WITHIN ARM’S REACH
If you ask Sujana Mohd Rejab what the Internet can do, expect “an arm” as an answer.
Fondly known as Pak Su, the father of six has been giving a new lease of life to underprivileged children with disabilities.
With knowledge gathered from the Internet, Pak Su has created 50 types of prosthetic limbs for people around the world.
In fact, the former art teacher taught himself to build a 3D printer for the porpose.
“Thank you, university of Google,” says Pak Su, attributing the Internet for the knowledge to not only build a 3D printer from scratch, he also learnt to design and produce prosthetic limbs for children.
“The arms that I created are for children. It is to build up their confidence so that they can grow up without feeling like they don’t belong,” says Pak Su, who also thanked his wife for her support and encouragement throughout the process.
In the #fibrenation docu-series produced by Maxis, Pak Su shares what it means to provide second chances for the less fortunate, and the impact that the Internet has had on him.
To help Pak Su, go to www.facebook. com/deltabionic/ to check out the items that he needs to continue his good work.
POWER OF CONNECTIVITY
“At Maxis, we always believe in harnessing the potential and possibilities of what technology can do for everyone in Malaysia, whether individuals, businesses or communities,” says the company’s head of brand and marketing, Tai Kam Leong.
After all, he added, the Internet contains vast information resources and services.
Maxis believes that by sharing these inspiring stories, they are encouraging more Malaysians to recognise the immense power of technology and the Internet in pursuing their dreams.
“We believe these stories resonate with each and every one of us, so we are really happy to be able to inspire more people through our campaign #fibrenation,” adds Tai.
#fibrenation has a third series in the making, a story about a man who, despite the odds, has emerged victorious.
Balancing studies and his passion for eSports, Kathires not only managed to grab the Fifa18 champion title at Malaysia Cyber Games 2018, but also survived an arduous journey in his life.
In the soon-to-be-released video, Kathires takes viewers through his struggle and the inspiring people he met and how the Internet has enabled him to build his career.
For more, www.facebook.com/pg/FrostFireMY/posts