Tetra Pak recently adopted three homes for underprivileged children under the banner of their Feed-A-Child (FAC) programme. These homes - Rumah Kasih, Rumah K.I.D.S and Philea Home - which will be adopted for a three year cycle, cater to children from various difficult backgrounds and situations. The homes not only see them through to college and university but also provide emotional counselling and guidance.
Some of the children from the three homes pose for a group photograph with their 'new parents' from Tetra Pak. Also in the pic are the representatives of the homes.
The FAC programme was developed in 2006 with the main purpose of nurturing underprivileged children in three key areas – Body, Mind and Soul. Since its inception, Tetra Pak has been able to assist several organisations not only care for the physical health of children but has also strived to provide them with the opportunity to develop in those three key areas.
“Many of the children we have had the pleasure to meet and work with come from difficult backgrounds like abandonment, poverty and abuse. Therefore, in line with our motto to “PROTECTS WHAT’S GOOD”TM, Tetra Pak strives to encourage, nurture, nourish and provide holistic improvement to aid them to excel in life,” said Anders Wester, Managing Director of Tetra Pak (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.
Tetra Pak is working together with PS The Children who is known for their efforts to enhance awareness about abuse and child safety, to educate the public about the importance of child safety and protection in our country via their corporate website and Facebook page.
Director of PS The Children, Ms. Madeleine Yong was present at the event to share about the lack of protection for children and also some alarming facts on abuse.
Yong explained that whilst abuse (be it emotional, physical or sexual) may be taboo for many, it is a harsh reality in our society. She said that communities need to start taking action to prevent child abuse. Adults need to be the protectors of children. Therefore, it’s important to continuously educate the public about such issues and how they can nurture a safer environment that will advocate for the rights of children to be protected.
“There should be no tolerance for abuse. We are pleased that organisations such as Tetra Pak is taking a proactive step in this direction with their Feed-A-Child Programme,” added Yong.
Wester also added that it is the programme’s vision that every child be given the opportunity to education, health and basic fundamentals in life to empower them to reach their true potential. Therefore, in keeping with the FAC’s key pillars and their vision, a theme for each year of the adoption period has been identified and activities will be carried out in conjunction with the themes. “Our first year is ‘Recycling and Education’, second year is ‘Sports and Fitness’ and the third year is ‘Creativity and Talent’,” said Wester.
Their first initiative in keeping with the theme of ‘Recycling and Education’, is a joint collaboration with early education expert, Q-dees Worldwide Edusystems (M) Sdn Bhd to organise a book drive. Together, both organisations are inviting members of the public to donate any books and reading materials in English or Malay that is suitable for children from the age of three to 17.
Tetra Pak's Managing Director Anders Wester looks on as the kids drop the books into the book bin to mark the launch of the book drive.
“As educators it is our role and responsibility to ensure every child has a right to education, therefore, we are glad to be a part of this book drive to help encourage these children in their quest for knowledge. Reading not only nurtures their mind but it also stimulates a healthy imagination and supports their overall development, said Mrs P.B. Presannah Mohan, Operations Consultant of Q-dees.
According to Wester, the book drive is just the start of many activities and programme in store for these children under the the FAC programme to encourage staff and the public’s participation.
Some of the other activities lined up for the next three years include setting up a reading corner in the homes, engaging motivational speakers to prepare them for exams, organising sports related activities, annual health checks, periodic visits from Tetra Pak’s staff and yearly supply of carton beverages.
Mrs Yoges Alexander, Mr Roy Tan and Mr. Peter Raj, guardians from Philea Home, Rumah K.I.D.S and Rumah Kasih respectively expressed excitement about their home’s participation in Tetra Pak’s programme.
Yoges also shared that they were appreciative that organisations such as Tetra Pak are not only opening doors to give these children the opportunities in life that under normal circumstances may have been denied to them, but also highlighting one of the key issues plaguing these children.
With the increase of crime against children, Tan and Raj echoed Yoges’ sentiments and stressed the urgency to protect our children and encouraged the public to play their civic responsibility to be more aware about our environment and ensure our children’s safety.
In addition to encouraging the public to donate books, the programme is also supported by new media to enhance the public’s awareness about child safety and protection.
Parenting2u.com is also on board as Tetra Pak’s official online partner for the Feed-A-Child Book Drive. Mr Jason Yong, General Manager from Parenting2u.com was also present at the launch.
Members of the public who are keen to donate their reading materials can drop them off at any of the participating Q-dees centres. Some of the centres that are participating are Q-dees Happy Garden OUG, Q-dees Pusat Bandar Puchong and Q-dees USJ 18.
Alternatively, the public can either mail or drop off their books to Tetra Pak’s office in Damansara Uptown.
For more details about the FAC programme and book drive please visit www.tetrapak.com.my, www.facebook.com/tetra.pak.my or www.parenting2u.com.
For information about child protection tips please visit www.tetrapak.com.my or www.psthechildren.org.my.
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