GUINNESS Anchor Bhd officially launched the GAB Foundation, which was incorporated in 2007, recently at an event attended by the Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas.

The foundation will continue GAB’s efforts to enrich communities in areas like environmental conservation, education and community projects.

“Within these three key areas, the foundation will identify and help causes that will not only contribute significantly to improving and enriching the lives of deserving Malaysian individuals and communities, but also resonate with GAB’s corporate values,” foundation chairman Tan Sri Saw Huat Lye said.

Since its incorporation, the foundation has embarked on several projects that have directly engaged and benefited the public.

The foundation has identified water conservation as one of its main areas of focus and two major projects have been initiated.

The first is a joint project with Global Environment Centre (GEC) an NGO, to rehabilitate Sungai Way, a tributary of the Penchala River.

The second project is a unique story-telling programme to educate children on the importance of water conservation.

Over 300 children have participated in this programme since it begun.

“Both projects aim to engage the communities to promote change in behaviour and habits. Rather than treating the symptoms that would yield immediate results, we have chosen to address the root problem through education and active engagement.

“This will take more time and a lot more effort but we believe that the end results will be more rewarding and sustainable,” foundation trustee and Guinness Anchor managing director Charles Ireland said.

The foundation also launched the SMILES (Supporting Malaysian Indian Learning, Education and Sports) programme for the Malaysian Indian community.

So far, the foundation has raised and donated RM300,000 to help Tamil school students.

In addition, the foundation also launched its Partial Scholarship Scheme in January to help students further their studies, regardless of race or religion.

By playing a stronger role in encouraging children to excel in education, the foundation hopes to help these children realise their full potential.

“We are very proud of what we have achieved in the last 18 months but I assure you that we intend to achieve more."

“Today’s launch marks an important milestone for GAB – it is our continued commitment to remain steadfast in our objective of enriching communities,” Ireland said.