The Norwegian companies – Aker Solutions, Jotun, Digi, Yara International and Det Norske Veritas – have recently offered RM 45,000 to Living Hope, the organisation working to set up toy and book libraries for underprivileged children in Malaysia.
The donation was presented through the Norwegian Embassy and the Malaysian Norway Business Council (MNBC) which have also been supporting Living Hope for the past six years.
Living Hope founder and Chairman Dr. Peggy Wong said the money would be used to set up seven toy and book libraries in Sarawak. According to Wong, it costs about RM6,000 to set up each toy and book library. So far, Living Hope has set up 75 such libraries nationwide. Forty libraries are in Sabah, 30 in Sarawak and five in the rural areas of West Malaysia.
Living Hope, she added, has touched the lives of 33,126 young people in Malaysia since its inception in July 2007.
Other than cash, the organisation has also received pre-loved books and clothes.
This charitable organisation has extended its activities to other countries such as India, China, Philippines, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Myanmar, Singapore and Australia.
Wong, however, said Malaysia would be the first to receive the pre-loved items while the surplus would be sent to other countries.
The mock cheque presentation ceremony was in presence of MNBC chairman Oyvind Bjorhaug and the Norwegian Embassy Ambassador Hans Ola Urstad.
Wong appealed to companies to continue donating to Living Hope so that the organisation can achieve its vision of helping needy children.
