ELS Malaysia’s Light Up! Initiative Helps Distribute Lights to Underprivileged Communities
October 4, 2016
On November 23, 2015, ELS Malaysia launched its Light Up! Initiative to address the basic needs of underprivileged communities in Malaysia with no access or irregular access to electricity supply.
The Initiative was launched at the 25th Anniversary Dinner, during which 300 units of mini solar LED lights were presented to three organizations: St. John Ambulance Malaysia, Red Crescent Society Malaysia, and Selangor Girl Guides Association.
Presently, approximately 200,000 Malaysians, especially those in rural areas, still live without access to electricity. Candles and kerosene lamps, which are not only expensive but hazardous to health and the environment, have been sources of light for these communities at night.
ELS Malaysia has pledged to donate one mini solar LED light for every new student registered for the Certificate Intensive English program (CIEP) at all ELS Centers in Malaysia. From the launch of the Initiative at the end of November 2015 until July 2016, a total of 835 mini solar LED lights were donated to communities on peninsular Malaysia, as well as Sabah and Sarawak. These donations were made through local and international organizations working for or with these communities. In addition to the lights, a hand-written card with message from an ELS student was inserted into every box of light for each recipient.
ELS Malaysia Centers have participated in and planned many activities to distribute the lights to these communities, including aboriginal villages. To strengthen the impact of the Light Up! Initiative, student field trips and participation in interactive sessions with recipient communities have been conducted on a rotation basis among ELS Kuala Lumpur, ELS Subang Jaya and the on-campus ELS UPM (located at Universiti Putra Malaysia). To increase the awareness of environmental conservation and sustainability, activities with school-going youth have also been planned with local schools and ‘adoptive schools’ of partner universities.
Congratulations to ELS Malaysia on creating this wonderful initiative! We look forward to hearing more about what is to come from the Light Up! Initiative. To learn more about the ELS Malaysia Centers, visit: els.edu.my