| James Kon |
TWENTY-SIX houses in the rural areas of Tutong District that are without electricity will finally get lighting at night, thanks to Schneider Electric’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, ‘Light it Up’, which was launched at a ceremony held at Starbucks Coffee Beribi on Friday.
A total of 102 pieces of Schneider Electric Mobiya Portable Solar Lamps that are sponsored by Schneider Electric and 14 partners will be distributed to the houses in Kampong Benutan, Kampong Mapol and Kampong Supon Besar of Tutong.
“This is one of the many events that we do under our corporate social responsibility.
“Last year, Schneider Electric carried out its CSR activities in eight countries while this year, there will be 12 countries in East Asia and Japan Zone, and Brunei is fortunate to be one of the countries,” said Jeffrey Yap, Country President of Schneider Electric Brunei.
“Since we are here for a long time, we wanted to contribute back to the society, so we engage the help from 14 of our partners and raise funds for more than 100 units of the Mobiya Portable Solar Lamp. To identify the families that are without energy supply, we discussed with the Rotary Club which helped us in this regard.
Schneider Electric staff in a group photo.
Jeffrey Yap, Country President of Schneider Electric Brunei presenting certificate of appreciation to a representative of Concepts Commercial Suppliers. – BAHYIAH BAKIR
“We believe that energy is a basic essential need and with this drive, we want to bring energy to all the people.
“Some of the families are using kerosene or candles to light their homes at night. It is not conducive for children to study at night and it may not be safe as well. For using a solar lamp, there is no cost and it is reusable as well as safer to use. The lamp is designed for durable use and is water-resistant. A fully charged lamp will give light for 48 hours.”
The Schneider official also said, “This is the first year that we are carrying out such an initiative and it won’t be the last, thanks to our partners, media support as well as the Tutong District Office and the villagers.”
The partners of the drive include Akatek Sdn Bhd, BMS Engineering and Trading Sdn Bhd, Brusin Trading Sdn Bhd, CE Industrial (B) Sdn Bhd, Concepts Commercial Suppliers, Coris Trading Company, eSuria Mentari Systems Sdn Bhd, Intan Electric Company Sdn Bhd, Joffren Omar Company Sdn Bhd, PKS Sdn Bhd, PowerTeck Engineering Sdn Bhd, Sistem Integra Sdn Bhd, TSK Sdn Bhd and Tendrill Sdn Bhd.
Zee SH Tang, Operations Manager of eSuria Mentari Systems, said, “We are glad to be part of this event. As a partner of Schneider, eSuria is continuously incorporating charity as part of our business culture.
“In eSuria, we believe in doing our little part in supporting His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s Government in supporting more sustainable and renewable energy.”
Meanwhile, Tiong Kee Huat of Rotary Club Bandar Seri Begawan said, “This is a very good initiative to help people in the rural areas to gain access to lighting at night to help improve their living conditions.”
Besides Brunei Darussalam, other countries that Schneider Electric will be carrying out its CSR are Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, connecting over 1,300 families to electricity and lighting.
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