With the spike in COVID-19 cases in the nation, and the move to online learning, children are hankering to get back to school in 2021. However, the pandemic has impacted the national economy especially among the Orang Asli population putting the back-to-school plans for these children in jeopardy.
TOP, the Putra Brand Award 2019 Platinum winner for the household product category, returns with the ‘Brighter Future with TOP’ charity fund-raising campaign with the goal of equipping 364 Orang Asli students in Pahang, Perak and Johor with back-to-school essentials for the 2021 school year.
To reduce the risk of these children contracting COVID-19, TOP will be contributing two reusable cloth face masks, in addition to the back-to-school essentials of new uniforms, shoes, socks, school bags, stationery sets, colour pencils and exercise books for each child. The contribution serves to motivate the children to attend school, while easing their parents’ financial burden and giving parents peace of mind that their children are protected against the pandemic.
Over the past five years, the campaign has benefited approximately 2,500 children aged between 7 to 17 years from 79 communities in need including Orang Asli and NGOs serving orphans, and children from single parent households.
Working with JAKOA, TOP shortlisted schools with full Orang Asli enrolment from areas that have seen significant reduction in income among families due to the pandemic, while celebrating the diversity, achievement and perseverance of these communities. The three Orang Asli primary schools receiving back-to-school essentials are SK Kampung Kudong a high-achieving Orang Asli school in a forest reserve in Bekok Johor, SK Pos Dipang in Jeram, Perak that has shown exceptional spirit in rebuilding from landslides, floods and other tragedies, and the isolated SK Terisu, in Cameron Highlands, Pahang where incomes have plummeted.
Funds will be raised via the contribution of RM0.30 from the sales of TOP detergent products from all TESCO stores, and TESCO Online until 31st December 2020. JAKOA will deliver these back-to-school essentials to the Orang Asli communities by the 15th of January 2021, ahead of the new school term.
Developed by Lion Corporation, Japan, TOP is known for championing the concept of hygienically clean living to encourage cleaner laundry, more comfort and a better sense of well-being through its continuous breakthrough innovations. It is famed for its Micro-Clean Tech with Anti-Sebum technology that effectively removes visible and invisible stains.
“The Orang Asli populations are among the hardest hit economically by COVID-19. In cooperation with JAKOA, we identified the addition of reusable cloth face masks as a way to reduce the spread of COVID-19 by protecting the children while reducing the economic burden on families.”
TOP added reusable three-ply cloth face masks with built-in filters in children’s sizes as they are proven to reduce the spread of COVID-19 when used correctly, are more sustainable, and economical compared to disposal surgical masks. To close the sustainability loop, TOP will be contributing its TOP Super Hygienic detergent to each Orang Asli family to equip them with a high-performance detergent to hygienically and thoroughly clean their laundry including school uniforms and cloth face masks.
“TOP Super Hygienic Powder detergent and TOP Odour Buster Liquid Detergent are especially suitable during the pandemic as the antibacterial formulation kills 99.9% of bacteria for maximum protection and has high performance anti-sweat odour to deactivate musty smells, deodorise fabric and eliminate trapped sebum. This campaign has resonated with TOP consumers over the past five years. We hope that they will continue to support A Brighter Future with TOP this year, as the need is greater than ever,” said Southern Lion Sdn Bhd, Marketing Manager (Fabric Care Division) Ling Ai Li.
The campaign is in line with the Malaysian Education Blueprint (MEB) 2013-2025, that emphasises improving outcomes for Orang Asli students through public private partnership that extends to parents and communities to help transform the education system, and is especially timely as the COVID-19 third wave sees cases spiking.
“The pandemic is straining Orang Asli communities almost to breaking point. Some families fear for their children health as they simply cannot afford masks, yet they do not want their kids to be left behind academically. Online learning is not possible in these communities as often there is no internet connectivity, and no devices at home. Instead teachers send worksheets directly to students’ homes. The Orang Asli communities and JAKOA are grateful to all Malaysians for their support of the Brighter Future with TOP back-to-school campaign, and for the addition of reusable cloth face masks that will make a vital difference providing protection for children, peace-of-mind and easing economic burden on parents,” JAKOA Director General, Prof Juli Edo says.
A Brighter Future With TOP since 2015 to 2019 has seen 2453 number of children benefitting and has involved a total of 79 NGOs/Communities.
During the campaign period from 1st to 31st December 2020, TOP detergent products will be selling at special prices at all TESCO outlets and TESCO online.
To find out more visit http://www.southernlion.com.my or call customer care line at 1800-88-0133.
 through TOP’s ‘A Brighter Future with TOP’ campaign){kind=link}