HEINEKEN Cares 2024: The Heartwarming Impact You’ve Made So Far

As we welcome 2025, HEINEKEN Cares 2024 continues to drive meaningful change across Malaysia. The impact of your generosity has already been felt by communities nationwide. From providing clean water to empowering persons with disabilities, HEINEKEN Cares is making a difference in ways that inspire hope and foster sustainability. Here’s an update on how your contributions are shaping brighter futures through the four initiatives supported by HEINEKEN Cares: Hopes Malaysia, PWD Smart FarmAbility, SIROM, and MyKasih Foundation.

Bringing Clean Water to the Heart of Rural Communities

In Sabah, access to clean water has long been a challenge for rural communities, but through the efforts of Hopes Malaysia and Heineken Cares, lasting sustainable change is taking root. In 2023, they launched a major water infrastructure project in Kampung Pinolobuh, Kota Belud, where the installation of a gravity-fed water system has drastically improved daily life for over 1,000 people. This was followed in 2024 with more enhanced gravity water system infrastructure in Kampung Kiau Taburi, affecting 1050 rural lives from 200 households.

Villagers from each Kota Belud community were empowered with skills, knowledge and tools needed as they worked together to repair and install new piping, build proper cemented infrastructure and setup HDPE tanks. As a result, families are able to access clean water at home any time needed; they do not need to ration water or dangerously travel to rivers to harvest it each day, enhancing their quality of life in Sabah’s rural community.

In 2025, Hopes Malaysia is expanding its sustainable efforts by focusing on repairing and reconstructing the outdated and damaged gravity-fed water system in Kampung Nagarai Tuguson, which will provide sustainable clean water to an additional struggling B40 40 families. This ongoing project underscores the importance of lasting solutions to water scarcity—solutions that your support is making possible. The Sabah NGO expects to complete the project with the community within the coming months.

Hopes Malaysia constantly welcomes likeminded CSR initiatives and support for a more sustainable rural Sabah, breaking the cycle of poverty with your help! More information can be found on their website www.hopesmalaysia.com.

Empowering Welfare Homes, Old Folks’ Homes, Orphanages, and Youth

PWD Smart FarmAbility is revolutionising lives by equipping welfare homes, old folks’ homes, orphanages, and youth with the knowledge, skills, and mindset needed to achieve local food procurement and foster sustainable living.

Through regenerative nature-based farming techniques and innovative proprietary aquaponics-based satellite farms, participants are learning to cultivate fresh vegetables, raise freshwater fish, and establish resilient food systems. This transformative initiative not only enhances food security but also offers participants a source of income, independence, and a renewed sense of purpose.

As one participant proudly shared, “Urban farming has given me the chance to stand on my own feet and contribute to my community as a climate-action hero!”

Looking toward 2025, PWD Smart FarmAbility envisions turning every street, community, and home into a hub of food and health sustainability. By empowering welfare homes, old folks’ homes, orphanages, and youth with hands-on farming skills, they are committed to making safe, nutritious, and real food accessible to people of all economic backgrounds, ensuring that no one is left behind.

With the unwavering support of initiatives like HEINEKEN Cares 2024, PWD Smart FarmAbility continues to champion independence, resilience, and inclusivity, creating thriving communities and laying the foundation for a healthier, more sustainable future. Together, we can create a lasting impact and inspire a new generation of empowered changemakers.

Sustaining the Orang Asli Community with Innovative Farming

The SIROM initiative has empowered the Orang Asli community in Kg Sg. Lebak, Bentong, with sustainable farming practices that are changing the way they approach food security. By integrating aquaponics and vermicomposting, the community now grows fresh produce and raises fish, all while using organic methods that reduce costs and improve their nutrition.

On 22 June 2024, SIROM, together with several Soroptimist clubs in Malaysia, celebrated Sustainability Day at the farm in Kg Sg Lebak to coincide with World Environment Month. Attendees had the opportunity to observe the Orang Asli in action, joining them in harvesting green leafy vegetables, preparing new beds for planting long beans and other vegetables, and later enjoying a sumptuous lunch prepared by Good Growers and the Orang Asli women using fresh produce from the farm.

Sales generated from the harvests in May and August 2024 amounted to an impressive RM37,000, with 15% of this revenue coming from the sale of fish. These efforts have empowered the Orang Asli community to embrace sustainable farming practices, improving food security and creating economic opportunities.

As one mother shared, “Thanks to this initiative, I can now feed my children healthy meals and sell the extra harvest to support their education.”

In 2024, SIROM aims to extend these initiatives to more families in the region, offering them the tools and knowledge to thrive independently while continuing to drive sustainability and self-reliance.

Combating Hunger for B40 Families in Desa Mentari

MyKasih Foundation continues to make a vital impact in Desa Mentari, addressing food insecurity among B40 families with an innovative cashless food aid program. Through this initiative, 120 families receive essential support, enabling them to purchase food items from over 600 participating MyKasih partner retail outlets nationwide.

Recipients have the flexibility to choose from essential food categories, including staples like rice, cooking oil, and eggs, as well as other necessities such as bread, noodles, canned foods, and beverages. The program ensures that families can select items that best meet their dietary needs, fostering a sense of dignity and independence.

The program's orientation and first shopping session took place on 29 October 2024 at Mydin Subang, where families had the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the system. Since then, recipients have been able to shop at any participating outlets across the country, making the program accessible and convenient for all. Explore more participating outlets here.

One father of three shared, “This program has been a lifeline for my family. It has allowed us to focus on other needs, knowing we won’t go hungry.”

Looking ahead, MyKasih Foundation is committed to scaling this initiative to support even more communities, ensuring that no family is left behind.

The Power of Your Support: A Journey Toward Lasting Impact

The progress we’ve made together is a reflection of your incredible support, but there’s still much to be done. The stories shared here represent just a fraction of the transformative work taking place across Malaysia thanks to your contributions.

As we move further into 2025, there are several ways you can continue to make a difference:

• Donate: Every contribution helps us extend these projects and reach more people in need.
• Share: Spread the word about HEINEKEN Cares 2024 and inspire others to get involved.

Together, we have the power to foster real, lasting change. Let’s continue this journey of hope, empowerment, and transformation—because when we come together, we create a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Your support today is shaping a brighter tomorrow. Join us as we build a better future for all! — Donate Now!