Tech support to the rescue

A primary school computer lab built by Maco's Computer Empowerment Programme. - Maco

Datin Dr Pixie Low Pek See, spokesperson for charitable group Medical Awareness Camp Outreach (Maco)

We came up with the idea for the Computer Empowerment Programme while distributing food and cash aid to the families of B40 students from SJKC Damansara in June 2020. We found that these students were lagging behind in their studies due to lack of computers.We shared their plight on Maco’s Facebook page and thankfully, many individuals and firms came forward to donate used equipment and laptops.

By August 2020, we had enough equipment for computer labs. Though we did set up labs which would have benefited hundreds of students, schools stayed closed and we had to change our approach.

(From right) Low and fellow Maco member Dr Toh Cheng Teik donating a laptop to a student at SMK Confucian in Kuala Lumpur. — Photo courtesy of Maco

We focused on working with school organisational councils, the Parent-Teacher Association and its board of directors to vet beneficiary families.