HSL staff spring clean CBR centre under CSR programme
KUCHING: Hock Seng Lee ( HSL) staff helped to clean and improve the Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) centre here as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme, ‘ Healthy Bodies, Happy Minds’ over the weekend.
HSL is a long-time contributor to the centre that focuses on Down Syndrome at Jalan Ong Tiang Swee here.
“We first learnt about the CBR through our Chinese New Year fund giving exercise. We got to know Ronald Law, a key volunteer there, and we became admirers of their work,” HSL corporate affairs manager Shirley Loo said.
“We are glad to bring our ‘ Healthy Bodies, Happy Minds’ to the CBR today. Our CSR serves the dual purpose of team-building and shine a light on worthy causes. Many from HSL come from humble backgrounds; we have all benefitted from a helping hand throughout our lives. This is our way to continue the virtuous cycle,” she said.
‘Healthy Bodies, Happy Minds’ is a company-wide programme coordinated by its Human Resources and Corporate Affairs Departments.
Staffs are divided into teams, given a budget and time off work to carry out charitable programmes. Themonthlyprogrammebeganlast December with in collaboration with Hope Place.
Meanwhile, the CBR’s goal is to help the mentally challenged become independent.
“We don’t want anyone to end up doing nothing after finishing school. We want to help them have jobs, have a purpose, that is why we set up this centre,” said Law, a 65-year- old full-time social worker.
Some 300 locals with Down Syndrome are registered with CBR.
KFC is CBR’s biggest client. The fast-food giant outsources the packing of sauces, tissues and other take-away items to the CBR.
“Even though we have 300 people registered, our centre is only big enough to accommodate 40 people.
“Many do their own work from home. We welcome any kind of help from the public. We are a phone call away or visit our centre,” Law said.
HSL’s next ‘ Healthy Bodies, Happy Minds’ will be a collaboration with an orphanage.
The programme also includes sponsoring staff on physical activities like Wildlife Conservation Society’s recent Run For The Wild event.
On April 28, HSL will participate in the Kuching Autism Run.
“My colleagues and I have organised donation drives for the Sarawak General Hospital’s blood bank. We learn a lot on these outreach programmes. It’s very satisfying work,” said Loo.
For more information, visit hsl. com.my where there is a dedicated charity page. The company welcomes community outreach ideas from the public.
CBR’s Law can be contacted at 019- 8380166. The centre is located at 6, Jalan Bisayah, Off Jalan Ong Tiang Swee.