Lighting Up Lives – A Ramadan Initiative
Fifty children from Pertubuhan Nur Kasih, a community center for the disadvantaged located 22km from the Fonterra Malaysia Corporate Office, welcomed us with bright smiles and cheers as we prepared a special Iftar event for them today.
Iftar refers to the fast-breaking evening meal of Muslims during Ramadan, eaten at the time of the call to prayer during the Maghrib prayer. It is the main meal of the day for those who are fasting that takes place at sunset when the fast ends for the day.
The holy month of Ramadan is a time for charity and good deeds, which is why we initiated a Good Together Ramadan CSR initiative and wanted it to be more than just a shared meal and product donations; it was also an opportunity to educate.
The holy month of Ramadan is a time for charity and good deeds, which is why we initiated a Good Together Ramadan CSR initiative and wanted it to be more than just a shared meal and product donations; it was also an opportunity to educate.
A special Ramadan Talk was organized, led by Megawati Suzari, Fonterra Malaysia & Singapore’s NPD, Scientific & Regulatory Affairs Director. She spoke on the importance of Halal & Nutrition and taught the children how to read food labels.
“I feel a strong responsibility to raise awareness and educate the younger generation on these topics. It’s part of what we do every day,” Megawati shared. “My team works hard to ensure that we have the proper licenses to operate, ensuring food safety and quality, and adhering to our halal principles and regulatory guidelines - it’s ingrained in us”
Other activities like a fun sandwich-making session as well as a quiz, quickly became favorites among the children.
“I had so much fun making my first-ever sandwich, even though I can’t eat it until Iftar later!” laughed one of the participants who also received a Fonterra goodie bag which included our products, oral hygiene essentials, snacks as well as duit raya (a traditional gift of money given to the unmarried as a symbol of blessing and generosity).
“I feel a strong responsibility to raise awareness and educate the younger generation on these topics. It’s part of what we do every day. My team works hard to ensure that we have the proper licenses to operate, ensuring food safety and quality, and adhering to our halal principles and regulatory guidelines - it’s ingrained in us”
For Norhasanah Shamsudin, our Halal Executive, being part of this initiative was deeply fulfilling. “Working alongside our volunteers to create such a meaningful experience for underprivileged children brings me great joy. As a mother, it breaks my heart to see children who don’t have the chance to celebrate Ramadan and Eid with their families. I believe this event will leave a lasting impact on them.”
In the true spirit of Good Together, 15 of our volunteers came together to make the Iftar event memorable, knowing that the best moments are the ones spent in service to others.
“Volunteers don’t necessarily have the time, they just have the heart”
- Elizabeth Andrew.
Ramadan Al-Mubarak, everyone.