Local NGOs recognised for tech use
KUALA LUMPUR: Two local non-profit organisations were this year's
recipients of Samsung's annual regional Digital Hope funding programme.
Projects from Pertubuhan Prihatin Sosial Malaysia and United
Voice were chosen out of 18 other proposals received by the organiser.
Second-time winner Prihatin received RM255,000 to fund its E-Community
Technology Centre for Unemployed Youth project, aimed at improving
the lives of 350 unemployed youths in poor neighbourhoods.
United Voice, an organisation dedicated to help people with learning
disabilities, received RM34,000. The fund will be used to purchase
computer hardware and software, Internet connections, and projectors
to help train people with learning disabilities in IT skills.
The two Malaysian organisations were among 16 recipients of the
US$620,000 (RM2.3mil) grant programme that provides funding to
interesting and technology-centric projects for the disabled and
the less fortunate in South-East Asia and Australia, said Min
Yong Ho, Samsung Malaysia CEO and managing director.
The annual programme extends across seven countries namely, Australia,
Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and
Vietnam.
Charities, non-governmental organisations and educational institutions
are invited to apply for monetary or product grants to help support
ongoing projects or the formation of new ones.
A panel of judges throughout the region will then select the
applications that best fit the programme's criteria – to
improve the lives of the target group through the creative and
innovative use of technology.
In Malaysia, the judges are Star Publications (M) Bhd group editorial
and education adviser Datuk Ng Poh Tip and Pikom chairman Lee
Boon Kok. – ZAM KARIM
