It was March 2020 and the second wave of the Covid-19 virus was taking hold of our nation.
That was when the government declared a complete lockdown. Unemployment rose, businesses were shutting down, people were falling ill and the lives of our country’s most vulnerable were at stake.
The people at BAC Education and the Make It Right Movement realised something needed to be done about the prolonged suffering gripping the lives of Malaysians all over.
The team then began work on a life-changing initiative, GiveBACk.my.
Specifically set-up to deal with the repercussions of this pandemic, GiveBACk.my is a curated platform that is purpose-driven, convenient and transparent. Amongst its many initiatives to help people and build a better world, GiveBACk’s fundraising platform has left a profound impact.
GiveBACk’s vision is to ensure anyone can be a philanthropist and do social good while transforming lives. And that is exactly what they’ve carried out in these past few months.
Generous Malaysians rallied to donate funds in aid of various causes and initiatives.
Each penny raised for a cause goes directly to the NGO or charity supporting it.
To date, GiveBACk has successfully raised over RM300,000 in aid of over 9,000 people.
This platform truly does stand out in its efforts. The team at GiveBACk does not sit idly by, channeling funds to these NGOs and charities. They work personally with these organisations on every project and initiative.
Through their combined efforts, most of these fundraising campaigns have not just reached their targets, but have surpassed them. And the team does not stop here.
GiveBACk gets involved and keeps up with the progress of communities they’ve aided. If more resources are needed, the platform then organises multiple rounds of fundraising to ensure the sustainability of the aid provided.
GiveBACk.my, along with the multitude of charities and NGOs they’ve worked with, have conducted over 35 campaigns.
Let’s have a closer look at some of these life-changing fundraisers:
1. Flood Relief 2021
An ongoing initiative, Flood Relief 2021 is to date the most extensive campaign carried out. Having raised over RM75,000 thus far, the team at GiveBACk.my is no where near done in their flood relief efforts.
Women and children receiving supplies from the GiveBACk team at Raub
When torrential rains lashed Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan and Johor, the GiveBACk team spared no time in mobilising efforts to fundraise for flood victims in the most affected regions.
These communities had lost their homes, properties and some even went days without any food. Realising the sheer number of victims who had to brave the aftermath of these floods, the team acknowledged that this campaign had to be a massive fundraiser.
GiveBACk put out the call and Malaysians answered overwhelmingly.
GiveBACk volunteers (from left: Mithila and Michael, from right: Ranjaniy), along with Raja Singham (2nd from right), with flood victims in Raub.
The team of volunteers visited the most affected villages and locations all over Raub, Temerloh, Kuala Lipis and Mentakab to provide urgent resources such as food, water, hygiene kits and medication. They are now focusing on ensuring the villagers and communities are able to settle into their normal routines.
The volunteer team at GiveBACk has been resilient in their efforts to reach the flood victims. They spent hours and days going from one location to the next, delivering supplies.
We spoke to a few GiveBACk volunteers who had participated in the flood relief drives to learn their stories and experiences from volunteering for such a major campaign:
“It was heart-breaking to see one of the victims wash her clothes in the dirty flood water. Clean water sources had not reached the inner village in Raub at that point. Volunteering at the recent flood relief drive had made me realise how grateful I am to have never experienced the trauma of having all your property and belongings destroyed overnight. It felt good to be a part of the GiveBACk team, to go out there, get your hands dirty and help those really in need. I would not pass up a chance to be a volunteer; a little help from you can make a huge impact in another person’s life.”
Ranjaniy Mohan
“I never knew how bad the flood was until I went there, saw it for myself, and experienced walking on a pathway that I could not see. But I remember the smiles that they gave us when we arrived. GiveBACk made sure that every flood-affected area we went to had enough of everything we had.”
Brandon Hon
Brandon carrying canned foods to be given out to the flood victims.
“This was so horrible for the villagers who stay at places with high risk of flood disaster, especially during the monsoon season. When this ‘mak cik’ saw my team and I came over to her place, she immediately had a smile on her face as she felt glad for our help! Even though this may seem like small-scaled assistance from us, it actually meant a lot to them. Be grateful and appreciate everything that you have. I’m glad that I was part of this flood relief drive. It was such a great experience for me.”
Jack Tan
“People are similar to ants. They don’t give up despite the many obstacles faced. That’s how I summed up the flood tragedy in Raub. Those who are affected have gone through numerous floods over the years, but this year was something they have not experienced before. However, those who lost everything can still smile. Cherishing human life over material things is my greatest take-away from this experience. The GiveBACk initiative is a testimony of The BAC Education Group’s aspiration to provide assistance during calamities on a global scale. Within its core is a team of empathetic & compassionate individuals who infuse GiveBACk with a whole new meaning of humanitarian aid. A testimony to our founder (Raja Singham) and his generosity.”
Matthew
Matthew and Jack (in the background), walking through flood waters after delivering supplies.
“It was an honour and privilege to have been able to assist in the flood aid distribution in Raub, Pahang. The scale of devastation caused by the floods brought many of us together in giving back to society. The expressions of joy and gratefulness among the recipients made our day and we sure hope and pray that they are not tried with such challenges in the coming years. I call upon many other fortunate people to join the band wagon and serve those in need, in any way possible. Let us all live the Malaysian Spirit!”
Sebastian
Sebastian delivering supplies to a flood victim at Taman Mentakab.
While Flood Relief 2021 has been successful thus far, GiveBACk has still not reached many affected communities. The target of RM100,000 is still a distance away and they are working hard to ensure supplies and aid reach these communities.
2. Help Feed The Homeless And The Poor During COVID-19
In collaboration with PERTIWI Soup Kitchen, GiveBACk.my began its initiative with feeding the poor and homeless during the first lockdown. The aim was to raise enough funds to provide these vulnerable groups with 5,000 meal packs from PERTIWI Soup Kitchen.
To emphasise their support and commitment to the cause, BAC Education Group pledged to match RM1 for every RM1 raised. GiveBACk successfully reached its target of RM60,000 for this campaign.
Munirah from PERTIWI had this to say about their collaboration with GiveBACk,
“It is always a pleasure to work with the BAC team. They are kind and caring yet fun and vibrant. The donations received from the GiveBACk fundraising collaboration certainly helped us to carry on providing free meals for the homeless and urban poor community without having to worry about running out of money.”
Munirah giving out meals. (Image courtesy of Munirah)
3. The PPR Plight: Feeding Hope to the Hungry
Within the concrete jungle of Kuala Lumpur, reside pockets of communities who severely struggled to make ends meet during the lockdown period. One such community lives at the PPR flats in Lembah Subang, where 80-90% of its approximately 20,000 denizens fall under the hard-core poor category.
A family living in the flats with their recently purchased groceries. (Image courtesy of Elaine Surin)
By mid-March last year, these families had lost their daily wages and were facing hunger. GiveBACk was approached by Elaine Surin, a woman who has dedicated 20 years of her life to volunteerism and social work with no pay.
Elaine sought to provide groceries for 100 families living at the PPR flats. These families include single mothers, the elderly, the sick, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and families with multiple members.
GiveBACk ran a fundraising campaign with Elaine to provide a month’s supply of groceries worth RM70 for each family. Again, BAC Education went further by matching RM1 for every RM1 raised. These efforts culminated in RM10,000 worth of funds to support the families living at the PPR flats.
Read more about this campaign here.
4. #Makan4Migrants
Migrant workers live off daily wages and are mostly without savings. As such, when the first MCO halted movement, it also put a stop to their earning capacities. On the brink of starvation and poverty, migrant workers desperately needed support.
Supplies ready to be given out to the migrant workers. (Image courtesy of Sumitha)
Our Journey Bhd, in collaboration with the Bar Council: Migrants Refugees and Immigration Affairs Committee and GiveBACk.my, carried out the #Makan4Migrants campaign to provide dry rations to migrant workers.
GiveBACk set up the campaign and crowdfunded to sponsor RM55 worth of dry rations for a month’s supply for 1 migrant worker. Once again, BAC Education Group pledged its commitment to this cause by matching the generosity of its donors.
The fundraiser successfully raised RM6,000 in aid of migrant workers. Sumitha Kishna, the director of Our Journey describes how these funds helped in providing relief to migrant families:
“Thanks to donations from Brickfields Asia College’s GiveBACk initiave, Our Journey was able to provide food aid, hygiene packs and milk for many migrant families and their children. Kudos to the team working behind the scenes at GiveBACk.”
Sumitha giving out supplies to migrant workers. (Image courtesy of Sumitha)
Read more about this campaign here.
5. Stop Hunger: Help Our B40 Indian Women
GiveBACk then stretched its wings to three states in Peninsular Malaysia – Sungai Petani, Jempol and Hulu Selangor – where some of the most underprivileged B40 Indian women reside.
A woman pictured at her home in Jempol. (Image courtesy of Kumar Nagalingam)
The pandemic had taken most of their livelihoods away rendering them unable to feed their families and obtain supplies. Some of these women had 4-5 mouths to feed. To sustain themselves, they needed RM30 each week for groceries.
GiveBACk, along with community mobilisers in the respective states, organised a campaign to fundraise for these women. The first and second round of donations came up to RM8,000 and Rm5,000 respectively.
Kumar Nagalingam, a volunteer at GiveBACk, recalled how some of these families had gone two days without eating. He had a few words to say about GiveBACk and its impact:
“GiveBACk is amazing and it is very much-needed now. People seem to contribute because of the BAC name and have confidence that money will be channeled honestly to the right place. And this confidence? It stems directly from Mr Raja Singham, who embodies the very soul of BAC.”
Kumar giving out groceries to women at Hulu Selangor. (Image courtesy of Kumar Nagalingam)
6. Feed our Furry Friends
Due to empty streets and roads as a result of the nationwide lockdown, stray animals were lacking in food.
A fundraising campaign was initiated to enable SPCA to continue their efforts in feeding stray dogs in and around Bandar Sg. Long. RM9,000 was raised to feed these stray dogs.
Jacqueline, the president of SPCA Kajang, had a few words to say about how this fundraiser has aided their cause:
“It has helped the strays and our shelter tremendously. With the help of GiveBACk’s platform, money has been continuously coming in and it is usually enough to cover food, which is a large portion of our expenditure. It’s truly an amazing initiative and I’m personally very grateful to Mr Raja Singham and his team for all the good things they’ve done and are continuing to do.”
Jacqueline amongst her well-fed, healthy dogs at the shelter in Kajang. (Image courtesy of Jacqueline)
7. Light Up The Life Of A Child This Christmas And New Year
To ignite the Christmas spirit amongst children during these unprecedented times, Persekutuan Perkhidmatan Masyarakat Ceylonese Selangor dan Wilayah Persekutuan (PERMA) organised their very own Christmas Cheer Project, with the goal of delivering bags of presents and gift boxes to orphanages and children’s homes across Selangor.
A young boy gleefully poses having just received his Christmas gifts. (Image courtesy of Moo Tik Pin)
With the help of GiveBACk.my’s platform, PERMA successfully raised RM35,000 through 5 rounds of donations in just two weeks.
Mobilising BAC Education Group’s two transport vehicles and several helpers, the gifts were delivered to nine homes including the Home of Peace, Refuge for Refugees, and Rumah Jaireh.
GoodNews spoke with Indira Somasundram, the leader of PERMA’s Christmas Cheer Project, to hear what she had to say about working with GiveBACk:
“GiveBACk’s strength is in its people. PERMA had the distinct pleasure of working with some of them; Moo, Mithila, Brian, Raja Singham, just to name a few. The most recent Christmas Cheer project reached over 300 children where GiveBACk’s team shared ideas on gifts, suppliers and later mobilised volunteers for delivery of the gifts to 8 Children’s Homes and 2 refugees centres. BAC also provided transportation. It is heartening that 100% of funds raised goes directly to the Charity. This is unlike many fundraising platforms, which take a fee. PERMA in turn ensures that the gift aid reaches communities in need.”
Indira, PERMA committee member and leader of the Christmas Cheer Project. (Image courtesy of Moo Tik Pin)
Read more about this campaign here.
It is clear from these few excerpts of campaigns, that GiveBACk.my’s unique approach to fundraising, and their dynamic team, have brought light to many lives all over Malaysia during these dark times. They have uplifted spirits and renewed hope amongst the country’s most vulnerable.
Through this platform, we’ve seen that Malaysian people have truly embodied the sentiment #KitaJagaKita. With donations coming in everyday, it is clear that we’re ready to Give Back in times of need to alleviate suffering.
As Malaysia faces another round of MCO, GiveBACk.my and Malaysians all over are rallying to ensure this pandemic does not leave a debilitating impact on the lives and livelihoods of the country’s most vulnerable.
If any of the above campaigns have piqued your interest, please visit the GiveBACk.my/fundraiser to learn more, or make a donation. If you have a particular fundraiser you wish to run, details on how to work with GiveBACk.my are also available on the site.
Photo credits (Flood Relief 2021): Moo Tik Pin
