Three-year development plan

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EMPLOYEES of OCBC Bank (Malaysia) and their counterparts from OCBC Bank in Singapore and Bank OCBC NISP in Indonesia, have embarked on a three-year joint community development plan (2009-2011) in Indonesia in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity.

This initiative commits about RM365,000 towards community development work in the village of Banjaran, Bandung, which includes the building of 20 houses and renovation of a school.

The funds were raised from the Bank’s Group Operations and Technology (Group O&T) annual charity food festivals held in the Malaysia and Singapore offices.

Big group: Staff volunteers from OCBC Bank’s offices in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia and Bank OCBC NISP in Bandung, Indonesia, after the renovation work at the school.

From Aug 10, about 50 employees from OCBC Bank in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia and Bank OCBC NISP volunteered one week of their time to build four new classrooms at a local secondary school, SMP Dua Mei Banjaran.

They also set up a computer laboratory, donated sports equipment as well as distributed school bags to the 350 students.

The employees also delivered items such as rice, soap and toothpaste to three orphanages in Bandung.

Commenting on the community relief efforts, Ching Wei Hong, Director of OCBC Malaysia (also the Group’s CFO and Head of Group Operations & Technology) said: “Our work in Bandung bears significance as Bank OCBC NISP was established here in 1941.

“With this three-year plan, we are committed to developing our relationship with the local community that goes beyond providing them with financial services.

“We are pleased to channel our community development efforts this year towards making the school a more conducive place for the students.”

This is OCBC Bank’s second year of community development work with the Bandung community.

In March 2008, staff from Group O&T joined their Bank OCBC NISP colleagues in building three homes and distributing schoolbags in Banjaran village.

The trip also included visits and donations to three Bandung orphanages.

OCBC Bank’s Group Operations & Technology staff Sandy Yu, who was part of last year’s initiative, said: “Returning to Bandung and seeing people living in the houses we built was great.

“Knowing that we are making a sustained difference is rewarding and I am glad that this is part of a continuous plan.”

SMP Dua Mei Banjaran Dra principal N. Imas Masruroh said: “We are grateful that our school was chosen for this programme.

In addition to improving our students’ learning environment, OCBC Bank is helping to keep school fees low for their families, who would otherwise have to pay for the classroom renovations themselves.”