KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 17): Hartalega Holdings Bhd, via its corporate social responsibility foundation Yayasan Hartalega, has been extending support to underprivileged communities during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The foundation has been doing this via initiatives like financial contributions, programmes to support schools and youth employment to empower disadvantaged youths, as well as health education for rural areas.

"As a company that is committed to touching lives in the community to make a positive impact, we are ever ready to lend a helping hand, especially during these difficult times.

"Through Yayasan Hartalega, our efforts have been focused on contributing to our healthcare workers, as well as providing support in the key areas of education, youth empowerment and health, in order to address relevant issues in vulnerable communities, and subsequently help improve quality of life during and post Covid-19," said Hartalega chief executive officer Kuan Mun Leong.

Its recent initiatives included contributing over 2.5 million pieces of gloves to various hospitals and clinics in Malaysia, and supplying Covid-19 packs to rural schools in Batang Berjuntai, Sepang, Banting and Sabah.

The packs comprised face masks, pocket hand sanitisers, food vouchers and leaflets to spread awareness of preventive measures.

The foundation also supplied hand sanitisers and sanitising equipment to the schools.

Besides that, Yayasan Hartalega has collaborated with Teach For Malaysia for the Learning Box Project, to create self-directed learning boxes to help students in rural areas continue learning even with limited or zero connectivity.

It has also partnered with the Sisterhood Alliance for the Bridge of Learning & Development or BOLD @Youth programme — a programme targeted at helping at-risk youths by providing them soft skills training and help with job placements. The project is currently ongoing until June 2021.

To empower at-risk youths, Yayasan Hartalega has also partnered with Discover Muay Thai for an intensive four-month development programme to teach the fundamental life values of Muay Thai such as discipline, respect, self-confidence, resilience, leadership and care. These youths have also been offered a post-academy employment programme to pursue careers in sports and health. The programme has helped eight participants find gainful employment so far.

In addition, the foundation supports Athena, an organisation that aims to reduce menstrual poverty issues and educate them about eco-friendly and safe menstrual hygiene practices. Under this project, hygienic materials are supplied and menstrual health programmes are carried out in B40 communities in rural areas.