Datin Dr Pixie Low Pek See, spokesperson for charitable group Medical Awareness Camp Outreach (Maco)

       We came up with the idea for the Computer Empowerment Programme while distributing food and cash aid to the families of B40 students from SJKC Damansara in June 2020. We found that these students were lagging behind in their studies due to lack of computers.We shared their plight on Maco’s Facebook page and thankfully, many individuals and firms came forward to donate used equipment and laptops.

       By August 2020, we had enough equipment for computer labs. Though we did set up labs which would have benefited hundreds of students, schools stayed closed and we had to change our approach.

       (From right) Low and fellow Maco member Dr Toh Cheng Teik donating a laptop to a student at SMK Confucian in Kuala Lumpur. — Photo courtesy of Maco

       We focused on working with school organisational councils, the Parent-Teacher Association and its board of directors to vet beneficiary families.

       Demand was great but we only had about five college interns helping to refurbish the computers. We even had to close down the workshop temporarily when one intern contracted Covid-19.

       But we persevered as our aim was to give away 15 computers weekly with plans to ramp it up.

       A family of Maco volunteers, including (left) Paul Wong (second right) his wife, and Maco's head of Essential Aid for Families programme, Vivien Tang Yoke Kum and their sons transporting computers to schools. - Maco

       Maco has donated 366 computers to 10 school labs and 313 to individuals, including those from refugee and Orang Asli communities.

       It’s no joke transporting hundreds of computers and the movement control order has made it harder. We used to drive out to rural schools ourselves to make the donations, but now we have to get people with travel permits to help.

       Chan Kee Siak, Exabytes CEO

       As the pandemic rages on, we’ve heard stories about the hardships people are facing.

       One story that really affected me was how a man committed suicide after returning empty- handed from a food bank.

       EasyParcel CEO Clarence Leong, a friend of mine since secondary school, and I have set up FoodBank.Digital, which delivers food boxes to people.

       FoodBank.Digital allow those in need to apply to receive aid by having a food box delivered to them. - Exabytes

       We wanted a seamless process where people can get help without having to provide proof of hardship or give out personal details unnecessarily.

       What keeps us going is the heart-warming feedback from our recipients. One lady was thankful to receive a food box with a packet of Milo as her younger siblings could finally enjoy it again after so long.

       Clarence Leong, EasyParcel CEOFood

       Bank.Digital is a platform that enables those in need to apply to receive a food box worth RM60 to be delivered to their home.

       We are aiming to deliver 30,000 food boxes this year.

       We are very careful about how we pack the items in the food boxes. Cooking oil, for instance, may leak and that would be inconvenient to our recipients.

       We have also reached out to others in the local tech community, such as ecommerce partners, to ask them to be a part of the process.

       I think it’s important for Malaysians to come together during this time. By helping each other, we are reminded of how we can be united even in hard times.

       Some of the 163 laptops donated by Siemens to Maco's Computer Empowerment Programme for children studying at home. - Siemens Malaysia

       Adam Yee, president and CEO of Siemens Malaysia

       Based on statistics provided by the Education Ministry, we learned that around 900,000 students lacked devices needed for e-learning during the Covid-19 pandemic, meaning they had no access to the education they deserved.

       The best way to help others is by working with experienced non-profit organisations that share the same hopes and goals as us, like Maco with its Computer Empowerment Programme.

       Although the majority of the laptops donated were company-retired units, employees pitched in too, accounting for about 10% of the donations this time around.

       We believe that this joint effort with Maco will make a difference not only in the students’ education, but also for the environment as it gives the laptops a second life.