KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 7 — After witnessing how the recent floods had forced tens of thousands of Malaysians to evacuate their homes, CzipLee Malaysia started a flood relief drive with a difference; the Bangsar-based neighbourhood stationery store is aiming to equip schoolchildren affected by the floods with school bags and stationery kits.

  Alvin Chen, one of the directors of CzipLee Malaysia, explains, “We are very concerned for the children who are in need of stationery supplies when they return to school. The floods had decimated schools and destroyed books. Countless families have lost everything in this devastating flood. We wanted to find a way to use our resources to help out.”   What CzipLee Malaysia came up with is a “Back to School” (BTS) kit available for pledging at RM25 per kit. Each kit will include a new school bag, 10 exercise books, colour pencils, and a stationery set valued at RM52.40. 

Chen says, “We were able to get good quality stationery at a decent price by talking to our suppliers and sourcing every item. We want these children to go back to school with new things and start afresh.”  

Volunteers packing "Back to School” (BTS) kits

So far, 4,652 of the 7,000 BTS kits have been pledged by individuals and corporations; almost 3,000 kits have already been delivered or are scheduled for delivery to the schoolchildren. 

All these kits have been packed by volunteers who learned about the flood relief drive through word of mouth and social media.   “We had about 80 volunteers for the first session to pack 2,000 BTS kits and another 120 plus volunteers for the second round of 5,000 kits. It has been a very moving experience. 

"Back to School” (BTS) kits ready for delivery

"Everyone can help by increasing awareness through social media and reaching out to somebody you know. Help us raise funds to help these schoolchildren by pledging BTS kits before our cut-off date of 13th February,” says Chen.   CzipLee Malaysia’s response to the crisis is both timely and also personal. Chen says, “A colleague of ours was affected by the floods. Her kampong was in Kuala Krai, one of the worst-hit areas. When she got back, she showed us pictures and told us stories. Though her family had lost everything, they were eager to start afresh. It’s amazing to see the strength of the human spirit.”  

Some "Back to School” (BTS) kits have already been delivered to teachers in Kuala Krai, Kelantan

There’s still time to help out by pledging a BTS kit; here’s how:   HOW TO PLEDGE There are two ways to pledge a BTS kit: 1. The Cziplee website: http://cziplee.myshopify.com/ 2. The Cziplee store in Bangsar: 1, Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru, Kuala Lumpur   For more information and to track the progress of the drive, visit www.facebook.com/events/763017840456162/ or contact Alvin Chen at 012-2777986 or email shop@cziplee.com