TRX’s development partner, Lendlease, is working with communities around Kuala Lumpur to spruce up their public facilities and provide classes for kids in sports and arts, in its effort to build a sustainable, long lasting community engagement.
Dubbed “Projek Komuniti Kita” (Our Community Project), the pilot programme was carried out earlier this year with two nearby public housing communities, Perumahan Awam (PA) Sri Selangor and PA Hang Tuah, supported by Lendlease Foundation.
Both housing estates had their futsal courts refurbished, while at the same time futsal clinics, arts and crafts workshops and theatre classes were conducted for the children living within the communities.
“One of Lendlease's core values is to be an active participant in the communities where we operate,” said Dinesh Nambiar, Chairman of Lendlease Malaysia.
“Lendlease Community Day is a global flagship program by Lendlease, where our people volunteer their time and skills to make a difference in their community. This year, we wanted to go beyond that and look at how we can create a truly lasting impact in the communities where we live and work in, over a longer term.”
The pilot programme culminated with a Community Carnival last March, held at PA Sri Selangor’s community court in Jalan San Peng. It was attended by the Federal Territories Minister, Tuan Haji Khalid Samad, and the Mayor of Kuala Lumpur, Dato’ Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahlan.
The event, centred around a futsal tournament among the trainees from the futsal clinics, also included an exhibition of the children’s artworks and dikir barat and sajak performances from the arts and theatre classes.
For many, these classes were among their first exposure to theatre and arts.
Nur Irdina Amanda, 11, was happy with the chance to learn painting, dancing and singing in an established theatre in Bukit Tunku.
“I had the chance to learn things I would not have otherwise. I realised I have the potential to be creative,” she said
“I gained more confidence after performing at the carnival,” added Amanda, who led the dikir barat performance.
Longer term commitment
Lendlease recognizes the need for deeper impact and is now expanding the programme for another six months and to include three other PPRs, as public housing programmes are called in Malaysia.
Due to begin in August this year, Lendlease is currently working on an exciting initiative to further grow the community development program which will include other key partners and potential communities. More information will be revealed in the coming months.
“The community development programmes for each PPR will be in accordance with the needs of the local community,” said Irwin Raj, Lendlease Malaysia’s Sustainability Manager, Communities and Partnerships.
Lendlease is in a 60:40 joint-venture with TRX to develop the 17-acre lifestyle quarter, The Exchange TRX, in the upcoming financial district.
