They said that the ExxonMobil red ants are at it again, and this time, Sekolah Kebangsaan Chukai, Kemaman, Terengganu, has been under attack. Sixty employees from the ExxonMobil Kemaman Supply Base and Institute Technology Petroleum PETRONAS (INSTEP) in Terengganu, Malaysia, had undertaken several activities on upgrading the special-needs student school block of Sk. Chukai project presenting as the fourth community program arranged by its employees in 2019.

 

Upon the evaluation of all the other schools based in Kemaman town, the assigned program committee members found that the special-needs classes of SK. Chukai needed their help the most.

 

The community program includes numerous projects such as renovating the schools special-need students block, upgrading the tranquil room, upgrading of the recreation room with the installation of full-height wall and blinds for privacy, laminating flooring, funding new lightings and fans, sponsoring a 2.0HP air-con at school's special-needs students block sickbay, providing new furniture, storage, and a TV cabinet for the special-needs students class, painting the shoe rack & benches for the special-needs class parents waiting area,  having a Gotong-Royong activity at the special needs school surrounding.

 

“Being a parent of a special-needs student, I have experienced the challenges of managing and entertaining the special needs kids.” conveyed Khasnieffy, the executive of ExxonMobil 4rd Community program for 2019. “They need our attention and support.  With the community project launched at SK Chukai for the special-needs classes, we hope that it will be beneficial for the day to day operation of the school and the development of the student."

 

He added that ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Malaysia Inc. ( EMPMI) has a significant influence in the Kemaman town, and by selecting this school, the committee members wanted to portray that they care for the well-being of the surrounding community.

 

As a part of a beautification project, the program continued by upgrading the special-need interactive lounge that included sponsoring a river-water fish-themed aquarium set with colorful river fishes. The school’s special-need teacher believes, the aquarium and the colorful fish’s acts as a fragment of therapeutic benefits associated with the special-need children.

 

“Overall, this community program was exciting but was a bit challenging since we are doing this on a part-time basis. The actual groundwork had started two weeks before the events, and a few of the committee has spent some of their weekends and after-hour work in the evening to kick start the project. We feel blessed in a way that, as ExxonMobil employees, we can proudly tell that we had the opportunity to conduct one community project in our town for the year 2019,” specified Khasnieffy.

 

Moreover, the ExxonMobil volunteers also helped to upgrade the school garden for the students, complete sponsoring a traditional Malay Kampong styled Gazebo placed at the center that plays as a rest shed for the school kids, a gotong-royong activity, Ground Resurfacing, New fencing, Mural painting, interlocking paving block base, gardening a number of fruit trees and vegetable plants such as Ciku tree, Chili plant, lime plant, Mulberry trees, Soursop trees, Pudding trees, and Cashew trees, along by leveling the land, with yellow and red Japanese rose flowers planted across the entrance of the school garden.

 

“Most of the EMEPMI employees are from Terengganu, and few of them are from this school, so SK. Chukai is very close to their heart,” says Wan Ahmad Shahidin, the co-leader of the fourth ExxonMobil Community Program 2019.

 

Shahidin continued that ExxonMobil 4th community program shall serve as a platform for ExxonMobil to highlight its presence and making an impact in this region; as one of the earliest organizations established in Terengganu’s oil and gas industry.

 

 “Through this project, the ExxonMobil employees are indirectly sending a message to the community on the focus of ExxonMobil in making contributions in different fields such as education, human capital development, healthcare, and improving the overall welfare of the community in where we do business” determined Shahidin.

 

The grand slam of the program is spending time with the 35 special-need students by conducting several indoor activities, such as a Snake & Ladders competition, a transportation-themed coloring contest, and providing a Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) lunch for them.

 

The special-needs students also presented a dance and solo singing performance. The school thanked the employees by hosting a traditional Terengganu cuisine sumptuous lunch for all the employees. After a hard two weeks, the committee members concluded that at the end of the day, the smile on those special-needs students face is the only thing that matters the most.

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