Page 22 - Berita Sunway - Issue 74

CSR

Sowing Seeds of INSPIRING YOUTHS rough the programme, these students from B40
THROUGH MENTORSHIP
communities who did not do so well in class were
taught that they can create their own
“Sunway SILK is more than just farming – it was

Leadership and Entrepreneurship Working closely with
non-stereotyped future with the right attitude,
to motivate youths that there are other career
discipline, and commitment,” said Choong.
opportunities even if they do not do well in school.

the students, Sunway SILK
volunteer Anwar Tawe, who is
an agriculture officer at JPS, has
grown fond of them.
“ e students have shown
great interest and commitment;
We also mentor and coach them to be responsible some have leadership traits. e
adults when they grow up, to be responsible for their agricultural approach of the programme was able to
own growth and development,” said Rani. pique their interest in the agricultural sector, as well
Sunway SILK volunteer Eleanor Choong who as to attend school more enthusiastically.”
Farming once seemed daunting to teenagers Adam Bin Nevean and is XFarms chief operating officer, echoed Rani’s
Muhammad Azhar Bin Sazali. sentiment, saying that the mentorship aspect of the
However, this changed when the two students of SMK Bandar programme was as important as learning technical
Sunway took part in the Sunway Seeding Inspiration and Leadership farming skills.
via Knowledge (Sunway SILK) urban farming project in August 2019. “It was also important for us to instil values and
One of the things Adam and Azhar enjoyed about the programme characteristics such as perseverance, kindness,
was the study trip to SEEDS Malaysia in Klang to learn about plant care humility, courage, and curiosity in the students.
Anwar Tawe
Shawati
and sustainable living as well as the training by Science Bridge Academy Anwar Tawe
on non-conventional farming methods using micro:bit technology to Shawati
Adam
monitor soil quality. Adam
Assigned as group leaders, Adam and Azhar were tasked with
managing their vegetable garden beds and the students under their care,
as well as ensuring the garden’s cleanliness and safety is maintained. FRUITS OF VOLUNTEERING
“I’m now more confident in myself. e programme involved us Sunway IT Shared Services Centre’s senior manager Ong
interacting with others and doing presentations. Our mentors have Hsiu Yea joined Sunway SILK as a volunteer in hopes of
inspired us to develop ourselves in whatever fields we are interested impacting the lives of young teenagers.
in,” said Azhar. Besides looking forward to spending time with the students
With modern farming techniques and technology, Azhar now in the vegetable garden, Ong would also engage with them on
Azhar
sees agriculture as a viable way of earning a living. Azhar social media.
“ is programme has changed my mindset [towards “Sunway SILK has given us an avenue to
agriculture]. Agriculture involves hard work, but it is a very contribute back to society. It feels good to be
important field. I am thinking of getting involved in farming work at able to contribute to society. I’ve also started
school or outside of school. I aspire to run my own farm in the planting edible plants at home. I would
future,” said Adam.
participate in this programme again and attend
all sessions, if possible, in future,” said Ong.
Sunway SILK volunteers during their visit to SMK Bandar Sunway committed to school attendance-wise. Seeing positive
Being part of Sunway SILK allowed SAY corporate
communications executive Shawati Binti Abdul Galip to
develop new friendships with other volunteers and the
students.
“Coming from the B40 group, the students are rarely

feedback from the school and their improved attendance due
HOW SUNWAY SILK TOOK ROOT to the programme, I looked forward to continue volunteering
e idea for Sunway SILK came about when Sunway came to and seeing their smiles,” she said, adding that Sunway SILK has
know of a big parcel of unused land behind SMK Bandar Sunway, inspired her to be more involved in social work in future.
which is one of its adopted schools. A collaborative effort between Sunway and SAY, Sunway SILK For Choong, volunteering with Sunway SILK allowed her to
e proposal for an urban farming project was well-received by involved students of SMK Bandar Sunway, teachers, and volunteers see the impact of urban farming from a B40 perspective,
strategic partner and NGO Selangor Youth Community (SAY) but from Sunway, SAY and JPS learning about urban farming and informing her management decisions at Sunway XFarms.
there was a hitch in the plans – Jabatan Pertanian Selangor (JPS) found managing the vegetable garden for nine months. “Viewing things from multiple lenses provides a clear
that the soil lacked minerals and was unsuitable for growing vegetables. e programme featured workshops organised by SEEDS perspective on what kind of impact we want to create through a
“JPS suggested that we build planter boxes and put in proper soil. Malaysia and Science Bridge Academy. new venture. We do not just want to sell pesticide-free produce at
We had Sunway Paving Solutions donating about 1,800 pieces of “When we started this project, it was a bit tough to get the students premium prices to purely T20 groups. Our goal is to look at how
pavers to build planter boxes while Tajul Green donated gardening to open up and to gain their trust in the first two weeks. As time went we can build and bring farms closer to urban communities where
equipment such as wheelbarrows, metal hoes, rakes, and gardening by, we grew closer with them and started creating small chat groups we provide not only safe and fresh food, but most importantly,
gloves,” said Vijaya Rani Vimalarajah, manager of CSR, internal that included the volunteers as their ‘big brothers and sisters’,” said make it affordable for the masses. Only then can we say that we
branding & events at Sunway’s group brand marketing & Rani, who was one of the Sunway SILK volunteers. are improving our nation’s food security,” she said.
communications department.
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