Impacting more lives
Malaysia Bhd has hosted the Bursa Bull Charge, its annual capital market charity run, since 2014, bringing together capital market players, partners and captains of industries in a run through Kuala Lumpur’s capital market route to raise funds for a beneficial cause.
Returning for its fifth anniversary this year, the Bursa Bull Charge continues to build on its commitment towards extending a shared platform for the capital market community to champion inclusiveness and sustainability. This includes ensuring a wide ripple effect with lasting impact from the funds raised through the Bursa Bull Charge.
Since the first run in 2014, the Bursa Bull Charge has raised more than RM7 million for 120 organisations supporting various types of causes. Last year, the number of beneficiaries grew to 34 from 20 in 2014, covering a wide range of nonprofit organisations and social enterprises.
The funds, disbursed through the Yayasan Bursa Malaysia, are usually granted for specific projects that relate to promoting financial literacy or providing skills that enhance employability or their ability to generate income to be more selfsufficient.
Persatuan Kebajikan Insan Istimewa Melaka (Joy Workshop Melaka) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to this cause. A beneficiary of the Bursa Bull Charge 2017, Joy Workshop Melaka aims to provide a structured programme for young adults (aged 18 years and above) with learning difficulties to integrate into the community.
Founded in 1999, the organisation focuses on providing the Supported Employment Programme, which is accredited by the World Association for Supported Employment, providing an avenue for work training and trial job experiences.
The Supported Employment Progamme is a model used to ensure successful employment placements and to act as a support service for any work-related issues throughout the person’s working life.
The organisation strives to build recognition of people with learning disabilities as individuals with the same rights to education, work, freedom of choice, and advocates for their right to live with dignity, thereby, enhancing their economic empowerment.
Joy Workshop Melaka also works with industries and employers through the Supported Employment Programme to create work opportunities for people with special needs, and provides support and advice to families and caregivers.
“Our clients going into work have little or no knowledge in interactional ability and personal grooming skills. They have lesser receptive and expressive skills, no time management, writing, time telling, use of money, social sight vocabulary and are unable to fill simple biodata in job application forms,” explains Joy Workshop Melaka founder and director Parames Anand.
“To face the above challenges, we sought the assistance of Bursa Malaysia for funding to prepare and support their transit successfully into quality open paid employment. Job coaches were given the task of seeking out work experience and open paid employment with the funding received.
“Bursa Malaysia’s funding allowed us to train clients in necessary skills to upgrade their job prospects.
“They are now prepared to take another giant leap to prove their abilities, which a year ago would have seemed impossible. They have improved social interaction abilities and are able to use English and Bahasa Malaysia quite well. They have a sense of achievement in their mannerisms, acting responsibly in their allocated task,” she said.
While the organisation’s shortterm goals are focused on providing training at their premises and placing the trainees into paid employment, its long-term aspiration is to expand its scope of services through a one-stop vocational centre to help people with learning disabilities receive training leading to independent living with support, and to set up a retirement home for the elderly with learning disabilities who do not have their own support systems.
The Bursa Bull Charge’s contributions to beneficiaries such as Joy Workshop Melaka continue to support initiatives that are aimed at promoting sustainable growth and development, with a view to create a long-lasting positive impact on the society as a whole, and among underserved communities in particular, contributing to the overall sustainable development of the nation.