Move mountains together
TEAM work makes the dream work may be a popular tagline, but it was exactly what four girls from SMK Seri Bintang Utara, Kuala Lumpur, had in mind when they created their Public Service Announcement (PSA) poster.
The illustration on the poster features three mountaineers going up a mountain. They are connected by a rope which is linked to a Malaysian flag perched at the top of the mountain.
The poster’s headline “Don’t leave without your team!” underscores an important element that the PSA aims to highlight.
Looking at the artwork, Orando Holdings Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Dr Eng Wei Chun said: “I chose this PSA because it is meaningful.”
“The higher you climb up a mountain, the more you can see. Likewise, when it comes to education, the more you learn, the wider your perspective.”
Dr Eng also added that it is very important to provide education to all children. “We must educate them and encourage healthy mindsets, and it is best to start from young. The children are the country’s future.”
He commended The Star for organising the project. “This kind of campaign will encourage the muhibbah spirit – and I’m very proud to contribute to it. We can have a better future only when the country is united. The spirit of unity is very important.”
He said that last year, the company had sponsored a PSA on uniting Malaysians through food. And this year, it is on outdoor activities and sports.
“Both are topics that bring people together,” he said.
Orando Holdings has also recently sponsored a house to national shuttler Datuk Lee Chong Wei for his excellent performance in the Rio Olympics.
“The nation had come together and there was a sense of camaraderie and solidarity during the games when there was a Malaysian participant. You can feel the muhibbah spirit.”
“It was a moment when everyone stood together – not separated by religion or race – as they focused on one objective. We Malaysians need this kind of spirit,” said Dr Eng.
Members of Team Fantastic 4, all in Form Four, could not believe that their team made it into the Merit Award category. And when they found out that the company was sponsoring their poster as a full-page advertisement in the StarEducate pullout of the Sunday Star, it was the icing on the cake.
Team member Tan Nian Wan said, “I feel very proud of our artwork. To me, it is a great accomplishment to be featured in The Star. Never have I thought that my group will achieve the Merit Award in this competition.”
“Besides, we feel extremely glad that we’re able to contribute to the school by winning RM2,000 and we wish it would help ease the school’s tight budget.”
Another member Keoy Shon Tzu, said that it was a dreamcome-true.
“I still remember when the group from my school won the NiE contest in 2014. I wished then, that I too could bring glory to my school someday. And it finally arrived. We’ve been recognised for the poster we created which will also be published!”
For teammate Choy Ai Rain, it was a pleasant surprise as she had never thought about winning.
“The sponsorship of our poster is a big boost as I now have more confidence in my artwork. Besides that, I would also like to thank my teammates and my English teacher Nurul Ashikin Kamarudin for giving us this chance to take part in the competition.”
Leong Hiew Lum was just as elated.
“It is an opportunity for us to voice out our ideas and present them in a PSA. We would like to thank our sponsor, Orando Holdings.”
NiE contest coordinator Nina Rani Joshi said that the contest encouraged students to express their thoughts and creativity using pictures, words and colours.
“The contest also helped to build a stronger relationship between friends and instil the spirit of togetherness during discussions. Seeing their hard work and name in The Star would motivate other students to try their best next time.”
The school’s language department head Yeo Lay Hoon said that everyone in the school was happy with the outcome.
“Our students’ work is appreciated. It will give further recognition to our school. This is a cluster school and its niche area is in the English language, so we feel very honoured to be part of this language competition.”