Glass manufacturer Schott AG recently executed its regional CSR project in collaboration with Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa in Malaysia. CEI Asia speaks to the hotel’s sustainability leader, Suleiman T. A. Rahman:
What was the brief from Schott?
Schott operates a local manufacturing plant in northern Malaysia and the company was looking for an interactive community project with a charitable or non-profit organisation for children, as part of its CSR pledge to contribute to the local community. As part of the company’s corporate incentive trip, 180 senior management were visiting Penang from March 13-17.
The delegates would only have three hours for the activity, so after careful consideration we recommended they help Batu Feringgi Primary School, which is located just five minutes from the resort. The school was built in 1909 and is the main educational centre for the children of the surrounding community. It only receives minimal funding from the local government and so was in need of painting and landscaping work.
How did it come together?
Schott is based in Germany so the long distance and time difference made it challenging to plan. We had to be Schott’s eyes and ears in identifying the needs of the school, sourcing cost quotations, obtaining agreement from the school and State Education Department, as well as putting a proposal together for its senior management. In the end we agreed on a proposal where Schott would sponsor US$25,000 on a beautification project to enhance the school building and grounds.
What happened on the day?
The entire two-block, four-storey school building was painted using 100 paintbrushes and rollers, and 1,500 litres of sealant and paint. A mix of more than 300 new trees and shrubs were also planted and the resort contributed a large tree to add some much needed shade. The students performed a traditional Malay dance with kompang (local hand drums) to welcome the delegates. Schott also sponsored a high-tea treat of Malaysian delicacies prepared by the students’ parents for the students, staff and community leaders. The programme ended with the school students presenting bunga telur (handmade traditional souvenirs) to each delegate as a token of their appreciation.
Additionally, Schott donated 20 solar panels worth US$28,000 from its Malaysian factory to enable the school to start harnessing solar energy and to educate the students on the new, environmentally friendly energy source. Both Schott and the hotel’s engineering and tech teams will maintain the solar panels.