S P Setia Foundation Engages Community In Sabah Through Its Signature Programme, ‘Sincerely Setia Volunteer Weekend’
KOTA KINABALU, SABAH – S P Setia’s charity arm, the S P Setia Foundation, demonstrated its commitment to community engagement and support by organising the second instalment of its Sincerely Setia Volunteer Weekend in Kampung Beringgis, Papar, Sabah on 22 and 23 July 2023.
Over ninety dedicated volunteers, including S P Setia staff from Aeropod, Sabah, The Institute of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) Sabah, One Health Student Club, and Geology Society Malaysia from Universiti Malaysia Sabah, and Institut Kemahiran Belia Negara (IKBN) Kinarut, came together for a two-day programme aimed at making a positive impact.
Distinguished guests graced the event, YBrs Encik Azrul bin Ibrahim, the Director of Institut Kerjasama Kerajaan & Rakyat (IKRAR), Sabah Chief Minister’s Department, who officiated the event on 22 July, and YB Datuk Armizan bin Mohd Ali, the Minister of the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) and Member of Parliament for P175 Papar, who attended the closing ceremony on 23 July.
The Sincerely Setia Volunteer Weekend engaged approximately 255 individuals from the Kampung Beringgis community, including teachers, students and parents from Sekolah Kebangsaan Beringis. The program encompassed a variety of activities focusing on health, education, and community.
Perumahan Kinrara Berhad, a subsidiary of S P Setia contributed zakat fund worth RM5,000 which is channelled to refurbish prayer room facilities.
Michael Teoh, Board of Trustee, also enthusiastically stated, “The Sincerely Setia Volunteer Weekend is a testament to our commitment to making a positive social impact. By collaborating with various organisations and community stakeholders, we can create lasting change for the betterment of society.”
Datuk Yuslina Mohd Yunus, Management Committee of S P Setia Foundation and Senior Executive Vice President of S P Setia Berhad said, “Further accelerating our efforts in engaging the community back in Semenanjung, we reached out to the communities in the Eastern part of Malaysia, with the aim to continuously instil the spirit of unity, empowerment, and appreciation for cultural heritage while enriching their lives and providing the help they need through our engagements.”
“Beyond the planned activities, the meaningful connections formed truly stood out. The interactions with the students, teacher, parents and partners, the collaboration with the local community and the shared moments of joy and gratitude during the closing ceremony left an indelible mark on our hearts. These connections were authentic and heartfelt, reminding us of the beauty of human connections and the impact we can have on one another’s lives,” said Adelene Wong, Management Committee of S P Setia Foundation and Head of Group Branding & Communications of S P Setia Berhad.
Volunteers and the local community of Kampung Beringis came together to complete a mural painting to enhance the
façade of Sekolah Kebangsaan Beringis.
During the Volunteer Weekend, participants engaged in various health-related activities, including health screenings and workshops promoting the importance of well-being and healthcare practices. Furthermore, IEM Sabah led interactive science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) activities, inspiring the students from Sekolah Kebangsaan Beringis towards a passion for STEM subjects, encouraging further studies and careers in these fields.
Promoting a sense of togetherness, both the volunteers and the local community of Kampung Beringis worked together to complete a mural painting that enhanced the façade of the school. The first day of the programme concluded with a cultural exchange night that showcased the rich customs and traditions of the Papar community through performances and other cultural activities.
The second day of the Volunteer Weekend began with a morning exercise at the beachfront, followed by a motivational seminar conducted by Dr Hajah Ananglangka Mad Kassim, a motivational counsellor and advisor to the Ministry of Community Development and Welfare. The session aimed to cultivate a positive mindset among students. Another motivational session, presented by IEM Sabah and the Faculty of Science and Natural Resources of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), highlighted the importance of STEM and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in nurturing students’ potential.
The programme concluded with a communal lunch, where all participants collectively prepared local Sabahan dishes and shared a meal together, fostering a sense of community and unity.
Various contributions were made to make the Volunteer Weekend even more impactful. Perumahan Kinrara Berhad, a subsidiary of S P Setia, contributed RM5,000 zakat fund, designated for refurbishing prayer room facilities. Additionally, Neutrovis sponsored anti- bacterial body wash, laundry pods, and face masks, while Au Fairy provided anti-bacterial hand sanitiser spray and sanitising alcohol wipes. The community around Kampung Beringis and Sekolah Kebangsaan Beringis benefited from these sponsorships. In addition, S P Setia’s Amari Kuala Lumpur, one of the Amari hotels owned by S P Setia, contributed Amari x Setia toiletries, further enhancing the support provided to the community.
The Sincerely Setia Volunteer Weekend aligned with the second, third, and fourth trust objects of the S P Setia Foundation, which are aimed at assisting underprivileged Malaysians, advancing the education of disadvantaged pupils, and promoting national unity through sports, culture, and arts, particularly among the youth. Furthermore, the program also supported Goal 3 (Good Health & Well-Being), Goal 4 (Quality Education), Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
