The Malaysia Norway Business Council, MNBC, on 12 September launched a pilot community project titled ‘Reaching Out’. The project focuses on the education and skills building of disadvantaged young people in Klang Valley.
“This is MNBC’s pilot community project which has the main aim of informing Malaysians of the Council’s philanthropic efforts in the areas of education,” said MNBC Chairman Jawhar Merican at the launch of the ‘Reaching Out’.
“Various ‘homes’ in Klang Valley and Selangor were researched and Rumah Ozanam( a temporary shelter for unwed mothers, battered women, and homeless, abused, abandoned and neglected children) was identified as the platform to help initiate the project,” continued Merican, who is also the Chairman of Kvaerner Process Systems Asia Pacific Sdn. Bhd.
Mr Merican also stated that the Council felt that education and skills building were important areas for the development of young people especially for the school going kids of the ages of 14 years and above.
“In Norway, the eighth grade school going children are given the opportunity to experience working life, like their parents and are encouraged to enjoy it as well.
“I am also glad that a multinational company with Norwegian roots and history have taken the initiative to start the Programme, which we hope will set the pace for the other MNBC members to actively participate and contribute towards the development of young Malaysians’”, he further added.
Members of the media were also given a chance to observe the ‘young scientists’ at work, especially at the Jotun laboratory where they were experimenting with the colours provided by the multicolour tinting system.
The Reach Out programmed was initiated by MNBC committee members since 2002 to assist young disadvantaged Malaysian children.
