THE daily struggles of single mother-led families in Malaysia has worsened due to the Covid-19 pandemic. More than 150,000 single mothers have registered for aid with the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development.

A survey found that single mothers are the hardest hit group as they are both the main breadwinners and sole caregivers for their families.

For financially stretched single mothers, the back-to-school season can be highly stressful as they need to provide for their children's future on a tight budget.

Understanding the needs of single mothers, the Cerahi Kehidupan Bersama Top (Brighter Future with TOP) charity fund-raising campaign is returning on a bigger and better scale in collaboration with Jabatan Kebajikan Malaysian (JKM), Aeon and Shopee, with the goal of equipping students from single-mother led families with back-to-school essentials for the 2022 school year.

JKM has shortlisted current aid recipients including single mother-led families as well as those who are caregivers for bedridden or differently-abled family members.

Priority has been given to families with children starting Primary One in 2022.

Meanwhile, Top, on its part, has also identified families who have experienced reduced or lost income during the pandemic. Priority has also been given to families with children who will start Year One in 2022.

A portion of sales from selected Top detergent products across Aeon stores and Shopee (via the official Southern Lion store) will be channeled to equipping 333 primary school students.

A campaign to support single mother households.
A campaign to support single mother households.

The back-to-school essentials include brand new school uniforms, school shoes, socks, stationery sets, pencil cases, and colour pencils for each child. Each family will also receive a 2.3kg pack of Top powder detergent, while the children will receive a soft toy and an exclusive illustrated book by multi-award winning children's picture book author and illustrator, Emila Yusof.

These back-to-school packs will be given to JKM offices in 12 states for distribution to single mother-led families in 2022, ahead of the new school term.

Since its inception in 2015, the Cerahi Kehidupan Bersama Top campaign has benefited 2,880 children from 85 communities nationwide with back-to-school essentials, while contributing Top detergent products to their families and caregivers.

To ensure families have adequate protection against germs, Top has also introduced its Gentle Care Advanced Micro-Clean Tech liquid detergent that can remove 99.9 per cent of viruses and bacteria.

Powered by plant-based active ingredients which are free from the five most common allergens that trigger skin sensitivity, it is suitable for the wellbeing of the entire family. The skin-loving pH formula is dermatologically tested.

To find out more about the campaign, please visit http://www.southernlion.com.my

Children will receive an exclusive illustrated book by multi-award winning children's picture book author and illustrator, Emila Yusof.
Children will receive an exclusive illustrated book by multi-award winning children's picture book author and illustrator, Emila Yusof.

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