Foundations conduct programmes for kids with learning disabilities JEFFREY Cheah Foundation has announced collaboration with the Hearts of Gold Foundation to develop a social enterprise business model for the learning disabled towards the cause of transforming education for special needs children in Malaysia. Under the collaboration, Sunway University’s newly established Sunway Institute for Social Entrepreneurship (SISE), on behalf of the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation, will assist the Hearts of Gold Foundation to develop programmes and business plans that will equip children with learning disabilities with skills that will sustain them through life. In addition to providing business expertise through the education provider, the foundation has also pledged RM100,000 to fund the social enterprise set-up. Sunway’s relationship with the Hearts of Gold Foundation started with the special needs school in SMK Bandar Sunway. To-date, Hearts of Gold Foundation has 85 children with various learning disabilities starting from ages 17 and above, under its wings. Currently, the children create and design crafts, as well as produce baked goods, which are then sold to corporations and individuals for corporate premiums, and events. Prior to the formal collaboration, Sunway Group has been assisting SMK Bandar Sunway, from which the Hearts of Gold Foundation originated since 1996. In 1995, the Sunway Group helped build the school at a cost of RM3mil when its previous contractor abandoned the project. Later in 2009, Sunway has undertaken the upgrading and restoration work for the school. Sunway Group had then further supported the development of the Hearts of Gold Foundation by creating job opportunities for special children through the corporation’s Job Training Programme which is endorsed by the Education Ministry. The programme, on-going since 2005, exposes the special children to the real working environment with guidance and assistance from experienced personnel across various Sunway business units. By participating in the programme, the children are equipped with the skills and knowledge to become independent, and are able to progress as independent members of the workforce. To-date, a total of 110 special children have graduated from the Sunway Job Training Programme. Jeffrey Cheah Foundation administrator Jane Poh said in addition to engineering high impact social change, the social enterprise initiative will create an excellent opportunity for students of the Sunway Education Group to immerse themselves in innovative best business practices and various managerial disciplines. “With the Sunway Institute for Social Entrepreneurship, we hope to help students who yearn to volunteer in a meaningful and productive way. Setting up and running a social enterprise is a challenge like no other. “With this collaboration, our students will be able to learn how to effectively drive social change without compromising a business organisation’s efficiencies while having the golden opportunity to create the community of the future,” she added. A recent stellar accomplishment for the children was a partnership with iKarrtini GOLD where the children produced an exclusive batik collection featuring tropical birds.
Posted on: Wed, 31 Jul 2013 07:09:18 +0000
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