Page 13 - Berita Sunway - Issue 67

FROM FARM FORK
TO

Fostering growth through urban farming FEATURES

Every day for around nine weeks Vijaya Rani pays SMK like they are interested in urban farming. We will look into
Bandar Sunway a visit from as early as 7:30 a.m. — each new transforming it into a social enterprise for the second and
day another opportunity to impart wisdom to several form 4 third year,” said Bernard Paul, Group Corporate Sustainability
students. & Events General Manager. “They will be taught how to use
Rani, Group Corporate Sustainability & Events Manager is their income to reinvest into the agricultural process; we also
one of the four volunteers of the Sunway Seeding Inspiration hope to instill business instincts into them,”
and Leadership via Knowledge (SILK) corporate responsibility Eleanor Choong of Sunway iLabs, another volunteer of the
initiative. programme, was very eager to take part once she found out it
“When I was younger, I had mentors from other heavily involved gardening and farming.
organisations that gave career talks. I realised it made a lot “The theme is really close to my heart,” she says. “We
of difference for me. So I was hoping I could emulate that and sow the seeds and at the end of the programme get together
make a difference, too,” she said. to cook up a storm to compete and cook the best dish. It’s a
The programme, particularly focused on form 4 students very meaningful programme that really gives the volunteering
of SMK Bandar Sunway, is aimed at empowering local activity a purpose and meaning.”
communities. It also encourages corporate volunteerism Through the programme, Sunway also hopes to inspire
among Sunway staff. students to do better in life through mentorship. “The SILK BERITA SUNWAY | JAN—MAR 2020
The objective of the programme is to allow beneficiaries programme drew inspiration from Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah's
to consider agriculture, through urban farming, as a non- passion and commitment in education and sustainability. We
conventional career pathway beyond school gates. trust that educating our children on urban farming will open
The initiative will be conducted in phases over a period of various opportunities for them in the future,” said Paul.
three years, starting in 2019. The initiative is in line with the Besides Sunway Group, other programme partners
United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 of ensuring include Sunway Construction, which provided bricks for
inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting bedding, waste construction materials, as well as gardening
lifelong learning opportunities for all. equipment, and Sunway Lagoon, who sponsored tickets to
“The first year is a pilot project — we wanted to test the their theme park.
fertility of the soil and interest of the students. And it seems

Do you want to be a part of this community development project?
Find out more about Sunway SILK by emailing Rani at vijayarv@sunway.com.my
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