HOME IMPROVEMENT FOR RUMAH KANAK-KANAK ANGELS
Kuala Lumpur, 12 November 2013: It is with the belief that conserving the environment begins at home that IREKA CARES(Ireka’s flagship corporate social responsibility programme) conducted a home improvement activity as its first ENVIRONMENT themed programme with its adopted home, Rumah Kanak-Kanak Angels recently.
Volunteers and children undertook tasks of cleaning up the home and did some planting together within its compound to cultivate a sense of appreciation and responsibility towards the home and nature. By doing their bit in the home improvement works, the children learned a great deal about caring for plants and gave them a sense of responsibility.
The Home’s compound, especially its planter walls were overgrown with invasive plants and weeds, which the children and volunteers eagerly took the challenge to turn it into a ‘mini’ vegetable garden. The children especially enjoyed the process of weeding and replanting some of the flowers under the supervision of the IREKA CARESvolunteers.
Hardy and useful plants such as chillies, lemon grass, mint leaves, pandan leaves, and sweet potato leaves were introduced to these children. The best part was, each of the children was given the task to care for their own plants.
“This spring cleaning activity helps to upkeep the Home’s living environment and it was made possible with everyone’s involvement. It was a delight to see the children’s enthusiasm especially in learning to care for their mini vegetable garden,” said Stanley Loo, Head of the IREKA CARES’ Action Committee.
Group Deputy Managing Director and the company’s CSR Steering Committee Chairman, Datuk Lai Foot Kong said: “We are glad that the IREKA CARES programme has come a long way since we first started in July 2010. We aspire to leave a deeper impact than mere monetary contribution, and it’s fulfiling to see active participation by Ireka staff who shared their love, care and expertise. To us, this outcome is beyond measure.
IREKA CARES’ fourth year has kicked off with the continued adoption of Rumah Kanak-Kanak Angels with a housewarming and barbeque event in August, where volunteers and children had a whole morning of fun together. Previously, IREKA CARES had adopted Lighthouse Children’s Home in Bangsar (Year 1) and Rumah Hope in Petaling Jaya (Year 2) with yearly themes of Community, Arts, Recreation, Environment and Sports which make up the CARES acronym.
Rumah Kanak-Kanak Angels was set up in 2004 to provide shelter to underprivileged or abandoned children or abandoned children, between 5 to 16 years old.
Extra pair of hands: Stanley Loo, IREKA CARES’ Action Committee Head receives a helping hand from Celine (left) and Michelle (right).
Showing ‘em the right way: See Kim Wah showing Leon, 11, and Jimmy, 9, the right way to weed grass.
Supervising the kids: Stanley oversees (foreground) Wendy, Mimi and Abby tend to their plants and vegetables.
Green galore! IREKA CARES volunteers and children took to the task of ‘greening’ up their Home compound
Effort well paid off: Ann, 8, Celine, 11, and fellow volunteer, Irene Sim posing with their chili plant.
Nurture ‘em young: (From left) Leon, 11, Wai Sue Yin, and Michelle, 12, takes on the task of planting young sweet leaves shoot.
Group photo: IREKA CARES volunteers and Rumah Kanak-Kanak Angels children.