Helping from home: What you can do to support local communities this Ramadan and Raya

Sedekah online and help local charities and NGOs

Donations are the simplest way to help others, and you can contribute your sedekah from the comfort of your home. If you’re wondering where to donate, then look no further than CIMB CARES. CIMB's Bazar Siberturahim this year highlights nine NGOs in Malaysia that are in need of support – and we’re inviting you to join us in helping these organisations and their communities.

Meet two of the NGOs; Diabetes Malaysia and Damai Disabled Person Association Malaysia (Damai): 

Buka puasa with small businesses

Although NGOs are there to help those in need, not everyone in need is tied to an NGO. Besides charity causes, you can support others in the local community by buying from local and small food vendors to buka puasa during Ramadan.

Platforms like Lazada’s Lazat Bazaar* offer food delivery from bazaars (although to selected destinations only), or if your favourite small food business has a social media page, you can contact them to see if you can buy/pick up directly from them. Why? Because this can help them earn more money because they save on commissions for delivery platforms.

If food delivery is your choice, then show your support by giving tips to the delivery person – although they’re not related to the food vendors, they help to deliver the food to you come rain or shine. So let's do good and show some love to our local folks!

You can also find weekly Deals highlights here (including discounts on Food Panda!) and an assortment of dining offers on CIMB Deals.  

Share the joy and buy Kuih Raya for your loved ones 

Sharing and giving food is a part of our culture, so this Ramadan and Raya, why not support local entrepreneurs and buy a variety of delicious Kuih Raya and snacks for yourself, your family and those in need?

Shop Raya cookies at CIMB’s Bazar Siberturahim and support local Malaysian entrepreneurs who are beneficiaries of the entrepreneurship programmes run by CIMB Islamic in partnership with the Taylor’s education group, and initiatives run by CIMB Foundation and Women of Will.

Try out Ms Mashitah Binti Mohd Ishak’s scrumptious crunchy Maruku Kacang Peas, or Encik Abdul Malek Omar’s delectable Nasi Lemak and Sarang Semut. There are plenty more options from local entrepreneurs here.  

Share the joy and purchase these lovely Raya treats for your far away loved ones, colleagues, friends and families in need!

Support social enterprises

If you’re interested in finding more ways to support those in need by buying from local businesses, you may want to do your Raya shopping with social enterprises.

Social enterprises aim to support local or underprivileged communities. They are different from regular NGOs in that they are businesses that sell products or services, and they may invest the profits to help their causes. Many social enterprises also empower their communities by providing training and employment opportunities.

For example Helping Hands Penan, an organisation that sells handmade crafts like bags and baskets made by Penan womenfolk. Your purchases and support will help to empower Penan children through an Education Fund that will help them to start, to continue and to complete their education.  

Volunteer your skills online

Volunteering has always been a popular way to help others during Ramadan. But with social distancing and SOPs to conform to, it can be difficult or even impossible to donate your time in the new normal. However, you can still reach out to NGOs to see if they need virtual volunteers.

Virtual volunteering makes use of skills that can be carried out online. You can check for opportunities at NGOs that you already follow, or go to NGOhub – a website where you can volunteer for a variety of NGOs. Some of the virtual volunteer opportunities on NGOhub include media and public relations for Persatuan Responder Pertama Medikal Kuala Lumpur and data entry for The National Cancer Society of Malaysia. 

This article is brought to you by CIMB as part of our ongoing efforts to raise the level of financial literacy among Malaysians. Financial knowledge and understanding are key to making well-informed and meaningful financial decisions that will improve all our well-being. This, in turn, achieves CIMB’s purpose of advancing customers and society.

Source:

*https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2021/04/15/lazat-bazaar---a-month-long-tasty-treat-for-shoppers-and-merchants-on-lazada