Back to School Campaign ‘Cerahi Kehidupan Bersama TOP’ Returns Bigger and Better to Support 333 Children from Single Mother-Led Familie

The daily struggle of single mother-led families in Malaysia has worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 150,000 single mothers have registered for aid with the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development1. 

A Brighter Future with TOP back-to-school campaign is back supporting 333 primary school children from single mother-led families. This year TOP collaborates with  Jabatan Kebajikan Malaysian (JKM), AEON and Shopee.

 

A survey2 found that single mothers are the hardest hit group during the pandemic as they are the main breadwinner and the sole caregiver for their families. For financially stretched single mothers, the back-to-school season can be highly stressful as they need to provide for their children’s future on a tight budget. 

Understanding the need of single mothers, the Cerahi Kehidupan Bersama TOP (Brighter Future with TOP) charity fund-raising campaign returns bigger and better in collaboration with Jabatan Kebajikan Malaysian (JKM), AEON and Shopee, with the goal of equipping students from single-mother led families with back-to-school essentials for the 2022 school year.

JKM shortlisted current aid recipients including single mother-led families as well as those who are care-givers for bed-ridden or differently-abled family members. Priority was given to families with children starting Primary One in 2022. Meanwhile, TOP identified families who had experienced reduced or lost income during the pandemic through media reports. Priority is given to families with children who will start Year One in 2022. TOP has contacted these single mothers to obtain details on the sizing and other requirement for the 333 children involved. TOP reached out to these mothers individually for sizing details and to personalise the back-to-school essentials for 333 children.

A portion of sales from selected TOP detergent products across AEON stores and Shopee platform (via the official Southern Lion store) from November 25 to December 26, 2021 will be channelled to equipping these 333 primary school students. 

The back-to-school essentials include brand new school uniform, school shoes, socks, stationery set, pencil case, and colour pencils for each child. Each family will receive a 2.3kg pack of TOP powder detergent, while the children will receive a soft toy, and an exclusive illustrated book by multi-award winning children’s picture book author and illustrator Emila Yusof, who has created more than 40 books for children such as the Dina series that includes My Mother's Garden, My Mother's Kitchen, My Father's Farm and the latest, Dina's Art Class.

TOP will deliver the personalised back-to-school packs to JKM offices in 12 states for distribution to the single mother-led families in 2022, ahead of the new school term.

Since its inception in 2015, the Cerahi Kehidupan Bersama TOP campaign has benefited 2,880 children from 85 communities nationwide with back-to-school essentials, while contributing TOP detergent products to their families and caregivers.

Just in time for the back-to-school campaign, the brand has introduced TOP Gentle Care Advanced Micro-Clean Tech liquid detergent that can remove 99.9% of viruses (COVID-19 and Influenza A) and bacteria3. 

TOP Gentle Care Advanced Micro-Clean Tech liquid detergent can remove 99.9% of viruses (including COVID-19 and Influenza A), and bacteria.

TOP Gentle Care is formulated with Caring Touch Tech for an overall skin-nurturing experience. Powered by plant-based active ingredients which are free from the five most common allergens that trigger skin sensitivity, it is suitable for the wellbeing of the entire family’s skin. The skin-loving pH formula is dermatologically tested, with a lasting citrusy fresh and clean fragrance. This gentle, skin-friendly detergent uses 3X Stain Busting Tech to effectively remove even the toughest stains by penetrating deeply through fabric layers, pulling out stains and keeping dirt from redepositing onto laundry. TOP Gentle Care uses Fibre Care Tech to protect clothes by conditioning fabric at the fibre level to help clothes retain the look and feel of newness for longer.

During the pandemic, TOP has become a comforting presence for many, helping to ease the burden of Orang Asli students and their families, single mothers, frontliners, vaccinators and the homeless through product contributions totalling approximately RM600,000. The brand has also raised spirit with the rousing tribute song ‘Bebas Melangkah’.

“While the pandemic has been difficult for all of us, Malaysians are proving resilient and bouncing back by lifting up and supporting those who are most in need. TOP is proud to play our part as Keluarga Malaysia being here for you in good times, and tough times. The Cerahi Kehidupan Bersama TOP campaign is more needful than ever as it reduces the burden on single mother-led families, and encourages children to readjust to in-person school again. We understand that some children will face anxiety to return to school after spending a long time at home which is why we are including a soft toy and a beautifully illustrated limited edition book by famed artist, author and children’s book illustrator Emila Yusof to help educate them on the correct technique of handwashing in preparing them to get back to school,” says Ms Ling Ai Li, Marketing Manager of Fabric Care Division at Southern Lion Sdn Bhd.

Commenting on the cooperation, JKM commended and lauded the noble efforts of TOP in organizing the Brighter Future with TOP initiative which can benefit those affected during the Covid 19 pandemic.

For Emila Yusof the collaboration with TOP allows her to provide gentle guidance on health and hygiene to children who are still coping with life changes due to the pandemic through the story of Kiki that follows a young girl in a typical pandemic day with her mother’s frequent reminders to wash hands, and to wash clothes. “Children remember the stories their mothers tell them at bedtime well into adulthood, and the illustrations act as a visual reminder on what they should do. I’m delighted that this collaboration with TOP can bring comfort and more closeness between single mothers and their children,” says Emila. 

Get the limited edition children’s book ‘Kiki Menentang Dunia Kuman’ by Emila Yusof for FREE with the purchase of TOP detergent or Kirei Kirei products worth RM45 and above.

The limited edition book ‘Kiki Menentang Dunia Kuman’ by Emila Yusof will be gifted to all the Cerahi Kehidupan Bersama TOP recipients. The public can redeem this beautifully illustrated book by purchasing RM45 and above of TOP detergent or Kirei-Kirei hand wash products in a single receipt from AEON or Shopee via Southern Lion Official Store, Whatsapp 018-6688025 with their details and proof of purchase before answering one simple question. For more information, please visit https://www.facebook.com/TOPdetergentMY.

“This is the first year that we are working with Shopee for the campaign as we notice that consumers are increasingly purchasing our products on this platform. We hope that it will result in a higher collection and the opportunity to help even more children than the 333 that we have committed to aiding. Help us help more single mothers and their school going children so they can enjoy a brighter future,” adds Ms Ling in closing.

To find out more about TOP products and the campaign, please visit http://www.southernlion.com.my or call customer care line at 1800-88-0133.

About Southern Lion Sdn Bhd

Southern Lion Sdn. Bhd. is a 50/50 joint venture company between Lam Soon (M) Bhd and LION CORPORATION, Japan. It continuously improves the quality of life of Malaysia consumers by offering household products of innovative concepts at affordable prices ranged from fabric care, home care and beauty care to oral care. Southern Lion is the first detergent manufacturer to be ISO 9001 certified.

About TOP Detergent

TOP the No 1* Detergent Brand in Malaysia, is an innovative, consumer-centric brand by Lion Corporation Japan, that has been uplifting the way we do laundry in Malaysia through continuous research, producing breakthrough innovation to serve and improve consumer living. It is known for championing the concept of hygienically clean living through its continuous detergent technology innovations. The new TOP Advanced Micro-Clean Tech with Lion Japan’s Anti-Microbial Tech deploys next generation detergent technology that effectively removes 99.9% of harmful viruses including (COVID-19 & Influenza A), and bacteria3. This specially curated multi-tech formulation works immediately upon contact by locking the viruses & bacteria, then removing them off clothes with one powerful wash.