SIME Darby Property, in collaboration with Sime Darby Foundation (YSD), has provided back-to-school aid to 1,755 students in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Negri Sembilan and Johor.
As its philanthropic arm, YSD partners with Sime Darby Property in areas of mutual interests under the foundation’s five pillars – Community & Health, Education, Sports, Arts & Culture and Environment.
“Education is one of YSD’s largest focus areas and we are determined to continue our support for underprivileged students, so they may concentrate on academics without worrying about school supplies.
“We are thankful to Sime Darby Property for its continuous support in ensuring the well-being of the community, as well as creating opportunities for our partnership to make a positive impact in its townships,” said YSD chief executive officer Dr Yatela Zainal Abidin.
Sime Darby Property group managing director Datuk Azmir Merican said: “We are committed to creating communities that are conducive for the growth of our future generations.
“Our collaborations with YSD centre on the same ideals and allow us to reach communities that can benefit from the assistance.
“We will continue to engage with our communities through meaningful activities that are beneficial to the children,” Azmir added.
The distribution of items – school bags, personal hygiene kits and shopping vouchers to 647 students from four schools in Taman Melawati, Gombak, Kajang and Subang Jaya in the Klang Valley – started in February.
Efforts to reach out to the remaining students in Labu and Seremban in Negri Sembilan as well as Pasir Gudang and Muar (Johor) are under way.
The YSD Back-To-School programme, which began in 2013, aims to alleviate the financial burden of B40 families by providing school supplies for their children.
This initiative is part of Sime Darby Property’s corporate social responsibility commitment with the support of more than 800 employee volunteers.
The volunteers have also distributed care packages to 341 senior citizens, 120 orphans, 22 individuals with disabilities and 72 intellectually disabled orphans in nine charitable homes in the Klang Valley, in conjunction with the recent festive celebrations.
YSD, through its ongoing flood relief initiatives, has also provided computers and furniture to affected schools nationwide.
