This CSR initiative is part of an existing sponsorship with Global Peace Foundation Malaysia to provide clean water access to the villagers.  

‍KUALA LUMPUR: Forest Interactive, powered by Forest Interactive Foundation, in partnership with Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Malaysia, and supported by Doctors on Ground (DnG), carried out a community outreach day at Kampung Patah Pisau, Pahang, on January 22, 2022.

In an effort to execute a more targeted outreach, following Forest Interactive’s sponsorship of a solar-powered water pump, the company alongside its talents and DnG made a trip to the village for a day of engagement.

The goal was to get to know the beneficiaries, educate the villagers on hygiene and sanitation practices through Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WaSH) training, as well as better understand how Forest Interactive can further uplift the lives of the indigenous Jakun community in Kampung Patah Pisau.

Fun-filled lessons surrounding proper handwashing techniques and oral hygiene, as well as the benefits of these habits, were carried out to ensure that the villagers, especially the children, understood the critical importance of hygiene and sanitation in reducing the spread of pathogens and preventing infections.  

The session on handwashing was demonstrated through a #washchallenge sing-along activity, which the children actively participated in.  

‍Tapak tangan, tapak tangan, Celah-celah, jari jemari,

Belakang tangan, belakang tangan, Gosok-gosok, hujung jari,

Cuci bersih, keringkan, Amalkan, kebersihan.

As part of this initiative, Forest Interactive distributed 100 hygiene kits worth RM2,298 to the indigenous Jakun community. Each villager received a personal hygiene kit consisting of a toothbrush, toothpaste, nail clippers, an antibacterial soap bar, a mug, and a reusable face mask.

Doctors On Ground (DnG)‘s day clinic for the villagers provided health assessments and screenings that focused on the villagers’ nutrition needs and existing health issues. Along the process, the villagers were also briefed about the importance of each procedure and what their health conditions meant. Medication was offered for moderate cases, while complicated cases were referred to a specialist by the volunteer doctors.  

“We will surely return to help the Orang Asli, as we can see that in Kampung Patah Pisau,” shared Dr Ashvinderjit Kaur, Director of Project Management at DnG. “As they face water scarcity, the villagers are not able to practice proper hygiene habits, leading to the rise of water-washed diseases like skin infections and diarrhea.”

“Everyone has a basic human right to water as it is the most fundamental prerequisite for living a life in dignity,” commented Johary Mustapha, Founder and CEO of Forest Interactive. “We are grateful to be able to partner with GPF Malaysia to spearhead this initiative to provide the villagers of Kampung Patah Pisau. Reliable access to safe water is a game-changer for these families, especially for the women who have to walk down and up the hill to retrieve water from unsafe sources for basic needs, and for the children who are more susceptible to diseases and malnutrition brought on by poor hygiene,” Johary continued.  Dr Teh Su Thye CEO of GPF Malaysia, said, “We are happy to collaborate with Forest Interactive as this partnership will relieve the Orang Asli community in Pahang from their long struggle in obtaining clean drinking water. This collective effort will ensure that our social impact is sustainable, in addressing the needs and rights of underserved communities in Malaysia.”

The women of Kampung Patah Pisau also hosted a weaving workshop, which featured a step-by-step guide by the senior women on how to produce beautiful handmade baskets using native grass, bamboo, and rattan.

Forest Interactive’s sponsorship of an entire system of submersible DC-powered water pumps connected to solar panels in early 2021 sought to empower the Orang Asli villagers here with access to clean and safe drinking water.  

After more than a year of lockdowns and travel restrictions, Forest Interactive was finally able to witness how clean water supply is piped in to the villagers’ houses through proper filtration.  

This Forest Interactive sponsorship focuses on three key areas that contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Clean Water and Sanitation (6), Affordable and Clean Energy (7), as well as Partnership for the Goals (17).

Read more about Forest Interactive’s previous involvement with GPF Malaysia in July 2021 to empower the Jakun villagers with access to clean and safe drinking water.

To learn more about Forest Interactive Foundation, visit forestcares.org.

About Forest Interactive

Founded in 2006, Forest Interactive develops scalable mobile platforms to connect mobile operators, content providers, and game publishers with their subscribers. With over 15 years of industry experience, Forest Interactive has expanded to include a diverse workforce of 20+ nationalities in 16 regional offices.

Delivering content subscription services, digital voucher and e-commerce platforms, and mobile apps for all ages, Forest Interactive operates in more than 30 countries, servicing 90+ mobile operators and 100+ content partners with the capacity to reach over one billion subscribers worldwide. To learn more, visit forest-interactive.com.

About Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Malaysia

Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Malaysia is a non-profit and non-sectarian organisation that strives to foster resilient and cohesive communities, based on a vision that all humanity are connected as one family. Visit globalpeace.org.my.

About Doctors On Ground (DnG)

Doctors On Ground (DnG) is a medical non-profit organisation championing sustainability in community development and healthcare to marginalised groups in Malaysia. As a majority of our beneficiaries are at-risk and undocumented - we advocate for health awareness and medical care within the comforts and safety of their own home. Officially started in early 2021, Doctors On Ground (DnG) has assisted in medical funding, services and miscellaneous aid for over 700 families across the country, spanning 8 states.