Charged to change

IT started with a love affair, in this case, between Samsung Malaysia Electronics and Kampung Ulu Tual in Kuala Lipis, Pahang.
A LOVE TO SERVE
Two years ago, Samsung Malaysia “adopted” an indigenous village – Nanum Village (nanum meaning sharing in Korean). Aptly named, the “adoption” under Samsung’s “Hope for Tomorrow” community building campaign aimed to support underserved communities around the globe by sharing meaningful innovations to help sustain social development.
Immersing themselves in “village culture” were 56 Samsung Good Samaritans. The first batch of volunteers stepped foot in Kampung Ulu Tual in 2015. They were welcomed “with open arms” – warmly received with handcrafted gifts, beautiful headgear made from colourful flowers and palm tree leaves, and huge smiles.
FOR THE BETTER
Seeing that the villagers had no access to electricity, as well as household appliances and everyday common facilities which many of us city folk take for granted, Samsung decided to make a difference. They looked beyond the norm of donating food and supplies and went on to install solar panels to generate electricity. The South Korean conglomerate also donated Samsung refrigerators, placed at the “Pusat Didikan Komuniti (PDK)” centre, and helped the villagers fix and restore their damaged and neglected huts that provide shelter.
It was learnt the PDK is where the young village children gather to learn from two full-time teachers stationed at the village. With good electricity supply, the village folk have better and more consistent access to knowledge and information, especially via Samsung’s Smart TV and Galaxy Tabs the company donated, pre-loaded with fun-filled and informative educational content. Apart from the modern day “gadgets and appliances”, books were also presented, to enrich the children’s educational experience and stimulate their imagination.
IMPROVING LIVES
A year after, Samsung volunteers returned to the village to further improve the infrastructure surrounding Kampung Ulu Tual. Additional solar panels and lights were installed and food stuff, homecare items, sports and educational supplies were donated. Moreover, Samsung has also taken upon itself to help prepare the village young to face the future by providing them the opportunity to master the English language.
More recently, Samsung shared its re-branding of its Nanum Village initiative, now under the Samsung Love &Care Programme banner.
Besides bringing improvements to the lives and lifestyles of the growing community at the village, Samsung hopes to be a source of inspiration for more corporations to step up and help communities in need – together improving livelihoods, developing tomorrows and cultivating sustainable lifestyles.