Corporate Social Responsibilities or CSR obligations generally end up merely as cheques signed or donations given. Once done, they are usually forgotten. But long term investment into the lives of the less fortunate sometimes end up with lives and families changed forever.
The story of Asah A/P Along and Krisna A/P Suri attests to that. Originating from the jungles of Gua Musang, Kelantan, education was not easily accessibly as basic needs was something that many families struggled to obtain.
For a long time, it seemed impossible that they would ever be able to go to school. But due to the efforts of a kind-hearted pastor, they were brought out of the jungle and to the Hiichiikok Children Home.
Under the vision and ‘Bridge to Literacy’ initiative of the Founder and HCK’s Executive Chairman, Tan Sri Clement Hii, 15 Orang Asli children were brought in with a clear goal: to break the cycle of poverty through education, while nurturing confidence, discipline, and purpose.
The beginning was a challenge, as understanding basic Malay and English was difficult while juggling subjects like Sejarah. But with the encouragement and guidance of the team from Hiichiikok Children Home, the hard work day and night was finally worth it when they passed their SPM, allowing them to continue to tertiary education.
Just as ripples spread out when a single pebble is dropped into water, the actions of individuals can have far-reaching effects. For Asah and Krisna, the pebble of education will cause a ripple effect through both their lives and their communities.
As the CSR arm of HCK Capital Group, the Hiichiikok Children Home serves to remind us that our contributions are not just numbers on a paper, but in lives changed and transformed.
