In collaboration with Medical Awareness Camp Outreach (MACO), Siemens has donated its unused furniture that was planned for disposal to schools and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that are in need. The donation goes under MACO’s Computer Empowerment Project (CEP), which aims to equip schools and NGOs that are in need of technological supplies, amongst other materials.
Siemens also donated RM50,000 to the CEP initiative, for MACO to set up computer labs in various schools with a large proportion of students who come from low-income families. This is part of Siemens’ efforts to help B40 students in Malaysia access high education.
At the start of the pandemic, Siemens donated used laptops through MACO to support B40 students in their home-based learning. Its cash and unused furniture donations are a continuous effort to help underprivileged students.
The floods that took place earlier this year highlighted the budget constraints that many schools face when it comes to necessary learning equipment. More than 300 schools were affected by the 2022 floods, and have not been able to replace essential furniture. This is particularly so for schools in more rural areas such as Pulau Carey. Siemens’ unused office furniture seeks to help solve this problem.
The donated furniture includes desk chairs, tables and cabinets, worth approximately RM25,000. Most of the furniture will go towards the set-up of school computer labs, in line with the CEP initiative to empower students to be future-ready and tech-savvy. Some furniture will be channelled to NGOs supported by MACO, such as The Inclusive Outdoor Classroom (IOC), Jireh Charity Village, and Children Training Centre.
Siemens, together with MACO, appeal to other corporations to donate their unused furniture that could go a long way to help schools and NGOs that lack these essential equipment. Not only will this help students have a better learning environment, it will also reduce waste and enable corporations to recycle their furniture, instead of having them end up in the landfill.
With many companies still practising a hybrid work-from-home model, there are likely plenty of unused furniture pieces sitting in their offices. These pieces could be put to good use in schools, especially in rural areas where there are even tighter budgets.
To date, MACO has set up computer labs at the following schools with Siemens funds:
- SJK (C) Kwang Hwa, Sungai Kecil, Nibong Tebal, Kedah
- SJK (C) Cheroh, Raub, Pahang
- SJK (C) Lanchang, Pahang
- SJK (C) Sungai Buloh, Sungai Siput Utara, Perak
- SJK (T) Ladang Sg Rambai, Bestari Jaya, Selangor
- SJK (T) Pulau Carey Barat
The project will continue in year 2022 as part of Siemens Malaysia’s CSR efforts.
