A total of 1,483 OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Berhad (OCBC Bank) and OCBC Al-Amin Bank Berhad (OCBC Al-Amin) staff and their family members recently participated in the World Vision #RunForChildren with 42 “moves” for 42 minutes over a 42-day period. This was to create awareness about the 42 rights of children enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

In the process, they raised RM173,000 from among themselves in support of World Vision Malaysia’s efforts to support the cause of children globally. The amount comprises RM98,000 from the staff and a top-up of RM75,000 by OCBC Bank CEO Dato’ Ong Eng Bin.

OCBC Bank and OCBC Al-Amin have been in partnership with World Vision Malaysia for several years now and, this year, their involvement entered a new high when a record number of staff from the head office, branches and other locations nationwide got involved in the “moves” to support children’s rights.

Among the ways in which the staff moved – from 21 May to 1 July 2022 – were by dancing to rock music, jumping on a trampoline, playing badminton, hiking up a hill, and even walking among mangrove trees – all in the name of the child whose name was emblazoned on a bib across their T-shirts.

OCBC Bank CEO Dato’ Ong Eng Bin (left) and OCBC Al-Amin CEO Syed Abdull Aziz Syed Kechik (right) showing off some of the things the 1,483 staff and family members did over the 42 days when they “moved” for children in need

Led by Dato’ Ong Eng Bin and OCBC Al-Amin CEO Syed Abdull Aziz Syed Kechik,the initiative was part of the overarching World Vision 2022 Virtual #RunForChildren initiative held nationwide from 15 to 31 May which was premised on every child’s right to grow and thrive in a safe environment, free from violence and harm. The effort will help to support vulnerable children from the communities World Vision serves in DR Congo and Malaysia.

According to Dato’ Ong Eng Bin, the partnership with World Vision for advocating children’s rights was designed to bring with it a renewed sense of urgency.

“We wanted people to become more aware of the 42 rights of children so that this in turn would translate to action and greater advocacy. The best place to start was our very own staff and family members – by doing something consciously in the name of the cause and contributing financially as well.

“Personally, I moved by doing what I love doing most – taking a long walk. This time, I did so while thinking about the child whose name was on my bib. Like several of my colleagues, I ended up sponsoring four children in addition to the ones I am already supporting through World Vision’s Child Sponsorship Programme which is as low as RM65 a month,” he said.

World Vision Malaysia CEO Ms Terry Leong said the organisation was grateful for the partnership with OCBC Malaysia and thanked the many staff for their generous support.

“We are grateful for yet another successful year of partnership with OCBC Malaysia. The 1,483 staff and their family members who participated were an encouragement to us in our quest to create greater awareness about children’s rights. World Vision strives to help vulnerable children go further in life by ensuring they can learn, grow and thrive in a safe environment. Great strides have been made to protect children over the years, but we still have a distance to go, especially considering children who were already vulnerable to violence, exploitation and child labour had their lives thrown into further turmoil by Covid-19. As access to certain basic necessities has remained cut off globally, those who are better off must help those in need.

“Our recent research shows that over 100 million additional children will fall below the minimum reading proficiency level as a result of the Covid19 pandemic, and up to 85 million more boys and girls worldwide may be exposed to physical, sexual and emotional violence. Beyond that, 9 million additional children are at risk of being pushed into child labour by the end of 2022 as a result of the pandemic. We want nothing less than for children to experience a safe and secure childhood that will advance their sense of well-being and help them move ahead in life,” she said.