Sarawak, 17 November 2014: In conjunction with Orangutan Caring Week from the 9th to 15th November 2014, the Sarawak Convention Bureau (SCB) is working in partnership with the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) through the Soulful Orangutan Appeal Project that was recently launched at IMEX America in Las Vegas, USA. With the 2014 theme, “Sincere Commitment through Positive Action”, the Bureau initiated the Soulful Orangutan Appeal Project via its social network.
The Soulful Orangutan Appeal Project is an ongoing tradeshow initiative of SCB to actively promote SFC’s popular CSR programme – Heart2Heart with Orangutans. With just a “Like” and a “Share” of Soulful Orangutan Appeal Project’s Facebook page, visitors to the page and the Sarawak booth can be part of the programme and make a difference. Each “Like” and business card received equals to a USD 1.00 donation from SCB under the name of each participating individual (see attachment).
The Soulful Orangutan Appeal Project attracted a total of 298 individual support including cash tokens from visitors to the Sarawak booth at IMEX America, Las Vegas amounting to a total of USD 303.00 (equivalent to approx. RM 1000.00).In celebration of Orangutan Caring Week, a cheque presentation ceremony was held at the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre attended by Park Executive Ms Noremel Farnida bt Jaddil on behalf of SFC, members of SCB and media.
SCB Managing Director, Mike Cannon commented during the ceremony, “The response to the Soulful Orangutan Appeal Project was encouraging as we had visitors to our booth enquiring about not only Sarawak’s CSR programs, but what else the destination could offer; which was our main objective to get people talking about Sarawak and at the same time to promote a worthy cause.”
SCB Global Marketing & Communications Director, Amelia Roziman added, “The Heart2Heart with Orangutan programme allows groups to experience a day in the life of Sarawak Forestry rangers who tirelessly work to ensure that the rescued orangutans are rehabilitated and safely released into the wild. We have received great response from past participants as it has allowed them to create that special connection with nature that most would not be able to experience anywhere else.”
To further strengthen the project, SCB approached newly crowned Ms Malaysia World 2014 – Dewi Liana Seriestha, a local Sarawakian of Bidayuh and Indonesian heritage, to be the official ambassador of the Soulful Orangutan Appeal Project. Dewi will be competing and representing Malaysia at the Ms World Finals in London to be held later this year.
Ms Malaysia World 2014, Dewi Liana commented, “Having grown up in Sarawak, the rainforest has always been a part of my childhood memories growing up. To see these gentle creatures in their natural habitat reminds me of the free spirit and soul of the rainforest come to life. I hope that my work as Ms Malaysia World 2014 will strengthen this cause and encourage more people to get involved through the conservation efforts of Sarawak Forestry Corporation and Sarawak Convention Bureau.”
For more information on the Soulful Orangutan Appeal Project or Heart2Heart with Orangutan CSR and Incentive programme, visit http://businesseventssarawak.com/csr-environment/corporate-social-responsibility-programmes/or www.facebook.com/SoulfulOrangutanAppealProject
