CSR Report: iPEM Bintulu's visit to PERPIKAT

"You never appreciate how fortunate you are until you help those less fortunate than yourselves." iPerintisians took the opportunity to put those words into practice one fine Saturday morning on 12 November 2011 as part of iPerintis Bintulu social concern theme of "Giving Back To The Society".

PERPIKAT was the chosen organization and those caring members of iPerintis put their heart and soul into the preparation work for the visit.

PERPIKAT (Persatuan Rakyat Prihatin dan Ibu Bapa Kanak-Kanak Cacat) is a centre for special children and the handicapped. It was established in 1996 and the student population had grown to more than 300. They also have more than 15 teachers to teach the children and a few administrative staff. Overseeing the welfare of PERPIKAT is their dedicated President, Mr. Hii Ming Hua. It was a joy to see the smiles on the faces of the children, teachers and staff as they welcomed iPerintis Bintulu with open arms to the PERPIKAT Centre. The event started off with a welcoming remark from Mr Hii and a few words from iPEM Service Delivery Manager, Mr Hemlet.

Leaves colouring and pasting activities with the students.

Once the formalities were concluded, the activities started with the children colouring blank paper shaped into leaves using their own creativity and then finally pasted the leaves on a Love tree. The Love tree was made with special care by iPerintis Bintulu from recycled cardboard box. The once leafless tree was transformed into a magnificent tree with blooming coloured leaves with the help of these special children.

To symbolize the new found friendship between PERPIKAT and iPerintis, Mr Hemlet and Mr Hii pinned a plaque with iPerintis Logo on the "Love Tree".

Dancing session together

PERPIKAT has three computers and most of them are old. Taking note of the immediate need of PERPIKAT, Staff of iPerintis in Bintulu did a personal collection to donate a computer desktop to PERPIKAT. On top of that, Mr. Wong Leh Soon provided PERPIKAT staff with a special "hands-on" ICT training.

Mr. Hii, the president of PERPIKAT Bintulu took Mr. Hemlet and Mr. Abdullah to tour the facilities available in PERPIKAT. A special ending song "We Are The World" was sang with high energy by iPerintis staff with the PERPIKAT children, staff and parents. It was indeed a memorable moment.

The session did not just end with the "We are the World" song, but with a special performance by the special children of PERPIKAT. They actually performed a special dance to a very special music on the stage. Though they were not perfect in their dance routine, however, it was a perfect gift from their hearts. The visit ended after two hours with note-able thanks and goodbyes from PERPIKAT Bintulu. We also made it to the local newspaper. This visit has indeed humbled and reminded us to be grateful for what we have and not to take things for granted in our lives.