The 2020 school year started on a high note for 674 Orang Asli students who received full back-to-school essentials via the A Brighter Future with TOP campaign. 

The Orang Asli focused campaign by TOP, an innovative detergent brand from Japan, has set a record for the number of beneficiaries and the extensive contribution that includes new uniforms, shoes, socks, bags, stationeries, exercise books, workbooks, activity books, art and craft supplies, and musical instruments. 

TOP collaborated with the Orang Asli Development Department (JAKOA), to deliver the back-to-school necessities to seven Orang Asli communities deep in the interior of Perak, Pahang and Negeri Sembilan so the children are dressed for success, and the financial pressure on families is reduced. 

The campaign is in line with the Malaysian Education Blueprint (MEB) 2013-2025, that emphasises improving outcomes for Orang Asli students through public private partnership that extends to parents and communities to help transform the education system.

JAKOA Director General, Prof Juli Edo said the campaign has positively uplifted hundreds of Orang Asli families by easing their finances, providing motivation for children to stay in school. 

TOP, has held the campaign for five years to motivate students from underserved communities and B40 households to achieve more by boosting their self-confidence and self-esteem; and to educate them on caring for their clothing so that they are clean, and hygienically laundered. A total of 2,474 students have benefitted to-date. 

TOP is famed for its breakthrough Micro-Clean Tech with Anti-Sebum technology developed by Lion Corporation Japan that effectively removes visible and invisible stains for hygienically clean living.

TOP collaborated with leading retailer TESCO to carry out the CSR fund raising campaign from November 15 to December 15, 2019 with 30 cents from the sales of selected TOP products from all TESCO outlets nationwide and Tesco Online channeled towards the Brighter Future with TOP fund. 

Southern Lion Sdn Bhd, Marketing Manager (Fabric Care Division) Ms Ling Ai Li shared that public response to the campaign was overwhelming, almost triple the estimated collection, indicating strong support for a brighter future for Orang Asli children. 

The team from TOP delivered back-to-school essentials to Pos Tenau, holding a laundry workshop for children to share tips on how to clean and maintain their school uniforms at its best, and providing each family that attended a pack of TOP Super White Micro Clean Tech detergent for use at home. The children welcomed the TOP team with a selection of songs in the Semai language. 

The Tok Batin of Pos Tenau in Perak, Yok Komlok A/L Sentor said the community was grateful for the tangible assistance and motivation to its school-going children. 

Tok Batin Ayof bin Ekal of Kampung Parit Gong, who is also a teacher at SK Putra, Simpang Durian said the contribution was comprehensive, generous and highly welcomed by the Orang Asli community.

To find out more about TOP please visit http://www.southernlion.com.my