As part of its commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and supporting the World Health Organization’s hand hygiene promotion, Kao Penang Group which consists of four companies: Fatty Chemical Malaysia, Kao Oleochemical Malaysia, Kao Plasticizer Malaysia, and Kao Soap Malaysia, launched a comprehensive hand hygiene program aimed at educating the younger generation. This initiative, driven by Kao’s global ESG strategy—the Kirei Lifestyle Plan—focuses on creating sustainable practices that ensure cleaner, healthier lifestyles.
Since its inception in 2012, Kao Penang Group’s hand hygiene program has targeted primary schools to raise awareness about proper hygiene practices. After a brief hiatus from 2019 to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program resumed in 2022 with visits to SJK (C) Chung Hwa and continued in 2023 at SJK (C) Jit Sin A and SJK (C) Jit Sin B. This initiative seeks to instill the importance of hand hygiene among students, a critical preventive measure against illness.
In conjunction with World Hand Hygiene Day 2024, themed “Promoting knowledge and capacity building of health workers through innovative training,” Kao Penang Group extended its outreach with a visit to SJK (C) Permatang Tinggi on 23rd July. During the session, 70 students from Standard 4 and Standard 6 participated in an interactive program designed to emphasize the significance of hand hygiene.
The CSR committee delivered an educational talk focused on the vital role of proper handwashing in preventing illness. Students learned about the seven essential steps to effective handwashing—a practice not widely understood among young children. The committee demonstrated these steps, offering hands-on guidance, and provided students with Kao White soaps to practice the techniques themselves.
Mr. Ooi explaining the importance of proper handwashing to the students from SJK(C) Permatang Tinggi.
In addition to hygiene education, the program also touched on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, underlining the importance of sustainability. This brief introduction to ESG helped foster awareness among students of their role in promoting environmental stewardship and social equity from a young age.
The day concluded with students receiving Kao soap products as part of the CSR initiative, reinforcing the message that proper hygiene is essential to a sustainable and healthy future. Kao Penang Group remains committed to building awareness and fostering cleaner, healthier lifestyles for future generations through educational programs like these.
Hands-on Guidance on Proper Handwashing by Kao Penang Group’s CSR Committees.
By integrating the Kirei Lifestyle Plan into its CSR activities, Kao Penang Group continues to champion hygienic practices that empower communities while contributing to the realization of a sustainable, enriched lifestyle culture.
