Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 24 May 2021 – In conjunction with the Aidilfitri festive season, UOB Malaysia has donated 15 laptops to support vulnerable children from challenging socio-economic backgrounds pursue their education online amid school closures. The digital devices were distributed to the Raudhatul Al-Faeez children’s home and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) under the UOB My Digital Space Programme.
UOB My Digital Space is a multi-year education programme to bridge the digital gap for children from disadvantaged backgrounds across the region and to connect them to a world of digital learning opportunities.
Mr Mohd Fhauzi Muridan, Executive Director and Country Head of Islamic Banking, UOB Malaysia, said that the donation is part of the Bank’s long-term commitment to supporting vulnerable communities, especially children in need.
“The pandemic has highlighted the plight of less fortunate children who lack access to adequate educational resources. Without proper digital learning tools, these children are at higher risk of falling behind in their studies, which will in turn further widen the education gap. The UOB My Digital Space Programme aims to bridge that gap and to provide them with the necessary tools and means to an equal education. We hope to offer vulnerable children in our communities the help, care and education they need to overcome challenges and to open up new possibilities.”
The Bank also donated 27 sets of baju Raya, seven steel lockers and duit Raya to the Raudhatul Al-Faeez children’s home as part of UOB’s global #UnitedForYou COVID-19 Relief Programme. UOB Malaysia’s contributions also supported Bank Negara Malaysia’s value-based intermediation initiative for financial institutions to create a positive impact within the communities in which they serve.
Miss Hajah Zahrina bte Haji Mohd Saat, Founder of Raudhatul Al-Faeez, said, “We are happy to see organisations such as UOB Malaysia making the effort to support the children under our care who are struggling to keep up with their education during this pandemic. Children from disadvantaged backgrounds face a multitude of issues when it comes to accessing education online during the pandemic and the Bank’s donation will help to ease their worries.”
UOB launched its global #UnitedForYou COVID-19 Relief Programme in 2020 to help alleviate the financial burden or distress many are facing during this difficult period through various initiatives. This includes relief assistance schemes to help customers that are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as initiatives to support customers, colleagues and communities for the longer term.
