Honda Dreams Fund presents rare opportunity for under-privileged 20
Cynics may argue that behind the supposed kindness and generosity of companies engaging in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities is just a gimmick to help raise the respective companies’ profiles in public. That may or may not be true, but we know of at least 80 people who have benefited enormously from one particular CSR activity, gimmick or not.
Organized in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme, the Honda Dreams Fund (HDF) programme now enters its fourth year, with a new batch of 20 underprivileged Malaysian youths joining the existing 60 scholars absorbed by the programme in 2007 – 2009.
Genuinely aimed the hard core poor who deserves a chance, HDF 2010 attracted the application of no less than 1,700 applicants in the three months between 7th January 2010 and 31st March 2010. Unlike most corporate scholarships, the HDF is full and non-binding, meaning the students are free to shape their destinies at the conclusion of the programme.
Commenting on the fourth batch of HDF scholars, Mr. Toru Takahashi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Honda Malaysia said, “I am pleased that Honda Malaysia is able to provide the platform for these 20 youths to achieve their dreams. Each of them has a compelling story to tell, and a determination in their hearts to achieve their dreams despite their backgrounds. We are pleased to support them in their quest towards achieving their dreams.”
“Honda was built on the dreams of our founder, Mr. Soichiro Honda, who determinedly believed in the ‘Power of Dreams’. In staying true to the Honda philosophy, HDF is Honda Malaysia’s initiative to contribute back to the society and to ensure underprivileged youths in Malaysia receive the same opportunity as others to realise their dreams. Through Honda Dreams Fund, we hope to impart and empower these young people with Honda’s Power of Dreams and the Challenging Spirit, to provide them with the means towards a better tomorrow for themselves and their families. At the same time, we also hope to contribute to the human capital development in Malaysia,” added Mr. Takahashi.
In an effort to provide this opportunity to as many people as possible, a team from Honda Malaysia and UNDP headed far out from the Klang Valley to Kelantan, Terengganu, Perak, and Sabah during the application period to hold talks and application sessions for underprivileged youths in these areas.
“UNDP remains committed to supporting efforts to assist marginalized and disadvantaged communities, consistent with Millennium Development Goal 1, ‘Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger’. Education can help break the cycle of poverty, and the Honda Dreams Fund aims to transform the lives of deserving students who live close to or below the poverty line,” said Mr. Kamal Malhotra, UNDP Resident Representative for Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam.
UNDP’s role in the project is to ensure a fair and unbiased disbursement of the said fund. In addition, an independent advisory panel, comprising of representatives from All Women’s Action Society (AWAM) and Malaysian Youth Council (MYC) are involved in the candidate selection process as well.
The selection process starts with the 1,700 applicants each submitting an essay about their dreams (ed: Marking them must have take a while…). From there, 60 candidates were shortlisted to undergo a 4-day motivational workshop, which put them through a series of indoor and outdoor activities during which their leadership, teamwork and attitude were evaluated. Their performance during the workshop, in addition to interview sessions determined if they made it to the final 20.
We at Autoworld would like to congratulate the 20 selected scholars for this programme, and we hope that it would make a positive difference in their lives. Their adventure has just only begun, and we wish them Godspeed.
The 20 selected scholars for the Honda Dreams Fund are:
– Beljit Kaur A/P Ranjit Singh, 19, Perak
– Chia Jun Kuen, 18, Selangor
– Chong Jun Hean, 22, Selangor
– Colly Junior Clarence, 18, Sabah
– Jasmine Natasha Rajah, 20, Sabah
– Kevin Gomes A/L Reginald, 18, Selangor
– Magenthran A/L Tamil Selvam, 18, Selangor
– Mah Kong Sun (Dex), 19, Penang
– Mohd Shah Ridzal bin Abd Rahman, 24, Perak
– Mohd Soffie Bin Che Rose, 23, Kedah
– Navinder Singh Sathar, 20, Perak
– Nor Hidayati Binti Teh, 19, Terengganu
– Norimanira A/P Nordin, 23, Pahang
– Nur Azierah Binti Mat Deris, 18, Kelantan
– Sathiya Prakash A/L Sooryanarayana, 22, Perak
– Sean Kok Keang, 19, Perak
– Tamil Selvi A/P Rajendran, 18, Selangor
– Teng Sook Boon, 19, Kedah
– Yeap Ghee Beng, 21, Penang
– Yogananda Naidu A/L Chindaya, 18, Selangor
