MAH SING FOUNDATION CONTRIBUTES RM100,000 TO DAYBREAK SOCIETY

Kuala Lumpur, 2016 – Mah Sing Foundation, a charitable trust established by Mah Sing Group Berhad (Mah Sing) contributed RM 100,000 to DAYBREAK Society recently.

Established in 1992, DAYBREAK is a non-governmental organisation which has successfully trained more than 1,000 disabled trainees via its Vocational Training Programme, Work Experience Programme and Supported Employment Programme.

Puan Sri Dato’ Sandra Lee, executive chairperson of DAYBREAK said, “We actively encourage social enterprise. Whether the trainee is physically, learning or mentally challenged, they can be contributing members of society when they learn a new skill. In that sense, we make sure that the products produced are marketable, and we also help look for new channels for marketing.”

Every year, DAYBREAK spends approximately RM800,000 for training programmes, which comprises cost of social enterprise trainers, occupational therapists and job coaches as well as training materials.  The organisation provides two-year training for the disabled without any charges as most of the trainees come from poor families.

 

Puan Sri Dato’ Sandra Lee added, “Plant nurseries, semi-conductor factories, garment factories, hotels, bakeries, bookshops, rubber glove factories and convenience stores are some industries that have employed our trainees. Some of our trainees have also started their own businesses.”

During the cheque handover ceremony, she shared that vegetable farming is one of the successful projects the trainees have embarked on. “Due to the recent hot weather, chillies seem to be in short supply in the market. Our trainees managed to harvest 5,000 bags of chillies which we intend to market through FAMA.  The proceeds will also help to defray our annual running cost as we are completely reliant on the efforts of the center to fish is better than giving them a fish. The center is extremely well run and the trainees have a sense of pride and achievement. We hope that our contribution to DAYBREAK will be able to help in the continuity of this charitable cause,” said Dato’ Syed Norulzaman bin Syed Kamarulzaman, Chairman of Mah Sing Foundation.

Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Leong Hoy Kum, Group Managing Director of Mah Sing Group noted, “To date, the Group has contributed over RM9million to the social and economic development of the community, both locally and abroad. We will continue to play and active role in community development, provided support to those underprivileged in need of medical, educational and living assistance.”

DAYBREAK provides Vocational Training Programme, Work Experience Programme and Supported Employment Programme.

Vocational Training Programme

This two-year programme aims to inculcate work habits and train work skills. Trainees are taught a variety of skills to develop their physical and mental abilities in eye-hand coordination, hand dexterity, organisation and planning, problem solving, recognition (ability to accept and reject items based on given criteria) and physical endurance.

To support the trainees of this program, DAYBREAK established six sustainable social enterprises; contract assembly and packaging, sock manufacturing and packaging, general cleaning, plant nursery, vegetable farming and handicraft to provide the necessary diverse work experience to accommodate the abilities of individual trainees.

Work Experience Programme

This programme provides support to graduated trainees in their workplace. Job coaches provide intensive on-the-job coaching to trainees in the crucial initial first 4 weeks of their employment and continue to monitor the development and progress over the course of two years. This enables trainees to cope with their new environment, work culture and the demands of work.

Supported Employment Programme

This programme is designed to identify the vocational skills inclinations and preferences of the students and matches this to their abilities. Two courses lasting 15 weeks each are conducted every year for students from special education schools accompanied by their teachers. The teachers then follow up on the training when the students are back in their schools. Upon completing their studies these students are eligible to enrol for DAYBREAK’s Vocational Training Programme.

About Mah Sing Foundation

Established in 2005, Mah Sing Foundation is Mah Sing Group’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) platform. The Foundation celebrates the achievement of Mah Sing Group’s long-term and continuous commitment to being a responsible and active participant in building community partnerships, both locally and abroad.

Mah Sing Group believes that a consolidated effort in CSR initiatives will be more effective and impactful in benefiting the needy. Mah Sing Foundation actively seeks to raise funds via annual fund raising activities and events to champion causes with the Foundation’s guidelines.

Mah Sing Foundation does this through a four-pronged approach:

• Medical Assistance for Malaysians who are suffering from disease and disability, or are critically ill. The Foundation will also carry out and support schemes by organizations which look after public health and welfare, including giving financial support.
  
• Financial Assistance and Relief Schemes for the poor and distressed.
  
• Education Assistance Comprising Subsidies and Donations to needy and deserving students.
  
• Encouragement of Social and Sporting Activities which will enrich the community and serve to promote national unity.
  

For more details on these and other initiatives under the Mah Sing Foundation, please visit http://www.mahsingcommunity.com.my/

About Persatuan DAYBREAK

DAYBREAK is an acronym for Disabled Adults and Youths Being Rewarded, Encouraged and Accepted in Kinta. This non-charitable organisation (NGO) aims to empower persons with disabilities, regardless of race or creed, to become self-reliant, independent and integrated members of society.

Established since 1992, the organisation provides skills training and seek suitable employment for persons with disabilities as well as providing a sales outlet for products made by them.