Volunteers Upgrade Kindergarten Facility Using Sustainable Materials

SC Chong (4th from right), Pn. Dahlia Permid (3rd from left) and Leela Panikkar (2nd from left) with the local community leaders and kindergarten teacher

FedEx Express (FedEx), a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, supported with upgrading and enhancing the local kindergarten facility in Pulau Carey, Selangor which serves the underprivileged Orang Asli communities around the area.

As part of the global FedEx Cares program, around 50 FedEx volunteers came together to produce eco-bricks and rebuild a perimeter wall for Tabika Kemas Kampung Orang Asli Sg Rambai, in collaboration with Treat Every Environment Special (TrEES), a sustainability-focused environmental organization, and the Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA).

The enhancement was recently unveiled by FedEx, alongside key representatives from TrEES, JAKOA as well as senior leaders of the Orang Asli community.

The program was kicked-off with an eco-brick-making workshop, where FedEx volunteers learned how to make eco-bricks by compacting plastic waste into 500 ml PET (PolyEthylene Terephthalate) bottles, each weighing no less than 200g.

The perimeter wall was constructed from bricks as well as 1,500 eco-bricks, creating a safer playground for 36 students aged between 4 to 6 years to enjoy more outdoor activities.

“At FedEx, we are committed to sustainability throughout our operations.  The steps we take today will positively impact future generations. In the same way, this program not only helps the underserved local communities but also raises awareness about the use of sustainable materials. As children will use the facility every day, we hope that the use of eco-bricks will help educate the next generation about the importance of sustainability”, said SC Chong, Managing Director, FedEx Express in Malaysia.

Leela Panikkar, Director of TrEES said, “Through environmental education and building of the sustainable eco-bricks perimeter wall for the Orang Asli community, we hope to reconnect the urban community in supporting the underserved, whilst inculcating green habits to reduce our plastic footprint. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to FedEx and all the volunteers, as well as Pn. Dahlia Permid, Deputy Director of JAKOA Selangor and Wilayah Persekutuan for the assistance and support in upgrading the kindergarten, ensuring that the children have a safe, secured space for play.”

The tabika serves three local communities – Kampung Orang Asli Sungai Rambai, Kampung Orang Asli Kepau Laut as well as Kampung Melayu with a population of over 650 people from around 180 families.

Villagers from the local Orang Asli communities belong to the Mah Meri sub-ethnic group who traditionally work as fishermen, oil palm smallholders and weavers.

FedEx supports this initiative under its FedEx Cares global community engagement program. Through FedEx Cares, FedEx supports non-profit organizations working to solve social challenges in local communities and is committed to positively impacting 50 million people around the globe by the company’s 50th anniversary in 2023.