Communication : AIA and the Community

AIA has continuously been a caring corporate citizen in extending a helping hand whenever needed. Some of the community partnerships over the years have been very successful and they are as follows:

AIA Have-A-Heart Fund Reaches Out to Sponsor RM145,000 to 5 Child Heart Patients

The AIA Have-A-Heart Fund (AIA HAHF) today rose to the occasion and donated RM145,000 to five children who needed heart surgery urgently.

At the Gleneagles Intan Medical Centre in Kuala Lumpur, parents of Lau Zi Wei (6-year-old boy), Yong Chia Meng (5-year-old boy), Siti Khadijah (16-month-old girl), Khoo Yu Fan (4-year-old boy) and Thaneswary a/p Viraya (11-year-old girl) were presented with a mock check of RM145,000 by Mr. Khor Hock Seng, American International Assurance Bhd. (AIA Bhd)’s Chief Executive Officer.

Other attendees at the event were Faisal bin Ismail, Chief Executive Officer of Gleneagles Intan Medical Centre; Ramzi Toubassy, AIA Bhd’s Vice President & Assistant General Manager Agency; Chuah Chin Seong, AIA Bhd’s Vice President & Senior Director of Agencies; Mala Patmarajah, AIA Bhd’s Vice President of Corporate Communications; AIA’s Bhd’s Agency Leaders, Jeffrey Kee and Major Leow.

In conjunction with Hari Raya celebration, AIA’s team also distributed ang pows and gifts packs to 30 children at the pediatric ward.

Caring for the less fortunate has always been one of AIA main objectives and in keeping with the Government’s call of being a good corporate citizen. In 1998, the company launched its “AIA Have-A-Heart Fund” for children from low-income families with congenital heart problems. Its purpose was to show that everyone deserves access to quality medical treatment, regardless of financial status. So far, the AIA HAHF has sponsored 122 pediatric heart procedures at a cost of over RM1.8 million.

“Corporate Social Responsibility has always been an integral element in AIA’s corporate initiatives, as we believe that in contributing to the growth of the community, we will make a difference to society and achieve our objective to improve lives,” Mr. Khor said.

Through a pledge to donate RM1 per life insurance policy sold, the Agency Force of AIA Bhd. has raised about RM120,000 for year 2008 towards the company’s charity programme, the AIA HAHF to help needy children undergo open-heart surgery. This year, 8 children were able to undergo heart surgery due to donations from the AIA Have-A-Heart Fund. These children had their operations in Gleneagles Kuala Lumpur, Gleneagles Penang and Institute Jantung Negara.

The money comes from the agents’ initiative to donate RM1 from the commission for every life insurance policy they sell. This initiative is an on-going fundraising project, and additional monies continue to be contributed to the Fund every day. Since the inception of the AIA Have-A-Heart Fund in 1998, the RM1 donation drive has so far successfully raised more than 1.1 million for the Fund.

“The AIA HAHF’s monetary resource has been obtained from many channels both agency and corporate. Collectively, the generous monetary contributions have upheld the good cause of the Fund. AIA Malaysia’s 8,500 strong agency force has been a main resource to the Fund’s community work. The commendable support from the men and women that form the company’s agency force is an effort that deserves much praise. Despite their very busy work schedules, the agency force has maintained their tireless effort to maintain that the AIA HAHF’s mission is achieved,” added Mr Khor.

In 2005, the AIA Have-A-Heart Fund was given tax-exempt status by the Inland Revenue Board. All donations from henceforth will be exempted from tax.

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AIA Have-A-Heart Fund Reaches Out to Sponsor RM50,000 to 3 Child Heart Patients

The AIA Have-A-Heart Fund (HAHF) recently rose to the occasion and donated RM50,000 to three children who needed heart surgery urgently.

Parents of Lee Cherng Hei (6-year-old boy), On Wei Ling (10-year old girl) and Muhammad Arrifuddin Zaid (7-year-old boy) made an appeal through the Malay Mail on 14th March 2007 and 2nd April 2007 respectively.

At the AIA's head office, Menara AIA in Kuala Lumpur, parents of Lee, On and Muhammad were presented with the contribution by Puan Sri Irene Lee, Chairman of the AIA Have-A-Heart Fund and 2 newly appointed Board of Trustees: Jeffrey Chiew and Manmohan.

Caring for the less fortunate has always been one of AIA main objectives and in keeping with the Government's call of being a good corporate citizen. In 1998, the company launched its "AIA Have-A-Heart Fund" for children from low-income families with congenital heart problems. Its purpose was to show that everyone deserves access to quality medical treatment, regardless of financial status. So far, the AIA Have-A-Heart Fund has sponsored 139 pediatric heart procedures at a cost of over RM2 million.

"Corporate Social Responsibility has always been an integral element in AIA's corporate initiatives, as we believe that in contributing to the growth of the community, we will make a difference to society and achieve our objective to improve lives," Mr. Khor Hock Seng, AIA Malaysia's Senior Vice President and General Manager said.

Through a pledge to donate RM1 per life insurance policy sold, the Agency Force of AIA Malaysia has raised about RM100,000 for year 2006 towards the company's charity programme, the AIA Have-A-Heart Fund to help needy children undergo open-heart surgery.

The money comes from the agents' initiative to donate RM1 from the commission for every life insurance policy they sell. This initiative is an on-going fundraising project, and additional monies continue to be contributed to the Fund every day. Since the inception of the AIA Have-A-Heart Fund in 1998, the RM1 donation drive has so far successfully raised near to 1 million for the Fund.

"The AIA HAHF's monetary resource has been obtained from many channels both agency and corporate. Collectively, the generous monetary contributions have upheld the good cause of the Fund. AIA Malaysia's 8,400 strong agency force has been a main resource to the Fund's community work. The commendable support from the men and women that form the company's agency force is an effort that deserves much praise. Despite their very busy work schedules, the agency force has maintained their tireless effort to maintain that the AIA HAHF's mission is achieved," added Mr Khor.

Rishitaran Maniam, the twenty-month old boy who received RM18,000 from the AIA Have-A-Heart Fund in January 2006 successfully underwent pediatric heart surgery at the National Heart Institute (IJN) last week.

"I am thankful to AIA. If not for them, my son may not have undergone the surgery he urgently needed," said Rishitaran's mother, S. Yogeswari.

Recuperating at the pediatric ward of the hospital, Rishitaran received a visit from Alison Frost, wife of AIA Malaysia Executive Vice President and General Manager, Mr Richard Bender who was accompanied by Mala Patmarajah, Vice President - Corporate Communications and 3 members of AIA's agency force: Radha Menon, Tong Chye Kiam and Jeffrey Kee.

"Caring for the less fortunate is not always about giving financial aid and we at AIA want to go that extra mile by visiting the patients and putting a smile on their faces," said Mala Patmarajah.

Armed with toys and a hamper basket, Rishitaran was excited to receive the goodies.

"This is the second phase of our Corporate Social Responsibility which we intend to adopt henceforth and that is to encourage our agency force to visit the pediatric heart patients in the hospital after their surgeries. The aim is to make them take part in the sharing, caring and giving," added Mala Patmarajah.

The AIA HAHF's monetary resource has been obtained from many channels both agency and corporate. Collectively, the generous monetary contributions have upheld the good cause of the Fund. AIA Malaysia's 8,500 strong agency force has been a main resource to the Fund's community work. The commendable support from the men and women that form the company's agency force is an effort that deserves much praise. Despite their very busy work schedules, the agency force has maintained their tireless effort to maintain that the AIA HAHF's mission is achieved.

Since its inception in 1998, the AIA Have-A-Heart Fund has sponsored 124 pediatric heart procedures at a cost of over RM1.8 million.

The AIA Have-A-Heart Fund recently rose to the occasion and donated RM50,000 to three children who needed heart surgery urgently.

Father of toddler Rishitaran Maniam (Eighteen-month-old), S. Maniam who made an appeal through the Malay Mail on 25 Jan 2006 can now look forward for financial aid from the AIA Have-A-Heart Fund who have stepped in to donate RM18,000 towards his son's operation.

In another matter, parents of Muhammad Syafis Shamsudin (Eight-year-old) and Muhamad Abdul Firas (Five-year-old) also made an appeal through the New Straits Times (NST) on 20 Jan 2006 for financial aid for pediatric heart surgery costs. The AIA Have-A-Heart Fund sponsored RM32,000 for the two children to immediately undergo surgery.

At the AIA's head office, Menara AIA in Kuala Lumpur, parent of Rishitaran and Aidah Nordin, Executive of NST Charity Unit were presented with the contribution by 3 members of AIA's Agency Force: Jeffrey Kee, Gary Lum and Teh Lee Choo.

Caring for the less fortunate has always been one of AIA main objectives and in keeping with the Government's call of being a good corporate citizen. In 1998, the company launched its "AIA Have-A-Heart Fund" for children from low-income families with congenital heart problems. Its purpose was to show that everyone deserves access to quality medical treatment, regardless of financial status. So far, the AIA Have-A-Heart Fund has sponsored 119 pediatric heart procedures at a cost of over RM1.67 million.

"Corporate Social Responsibility has always been an integral element in AIA's corporate initiatives, as we believe that in contributing to the growth of the community, we will make a difference to society and achieve our objective to improve lives," Mr. Richard Bender, AIA Malaysia Executive Vice President and General Manager said.

"We are also proud to announce that the AIA Have-A-Heart Fund has been awarded Tax-Exempt Status by the Inland Revenue Dept last year. With this, we will definitely be able to reach out for more funds to help more deserving children requiring pediatric heart surgery." Mr Bender added.

The flight of two children, who are in need of urgent heart surgery, has caught the attention of a company which has donated RM60,000 to cover the costs.

The case of one-year-old Muhammad Syukur Helmee, from Bagan Serai, and Mohamad Hafiz Hamin, four, of Langkawi, were highlighted in the New Straits Times.

The American International Assurance Company's Have-A-Heart Fund made the donation at Menara AIA yesterday.

AIA senior agency leaders Manmohan Abdullah, Jeffery Kee and Allan Wong presented a mock cheque to NST charity unit executive Aidah Nordin.

Both children suffer from tetralogy of fallot, a hole between two lower chambers of the heart, a narrow blood vessel to the lungs, thickened heart muscles and malalignment of the blood vessels of the heart.

Syukur is the only child of factory worker Helmee Abdul Wahit, 27, and shop assistant Sapura Yop, 30. His operation will cost between RM27,000 and RM30,000.

His father, odd-job worker Hamin Ismail, 34, earns RM30 a day while his mother Fatimah Mat Ali, 29, is a housewife. The couple has three other children aged between two and 10.

The AIA fund was set up in 1998 to help children with congenital heart disease from low-income families in need of financial help for their surgeries.

It has sponsored 116 paediatric heart surgeries at a cost of over RM1.67 million.

The news of two young boys who urgently needed donations for corrective heart surgeries drew a quick response from American International Assurance Company Limited (AIA).

AIA, Southeast Asia's largest international life-insurer, presented a RM60,000 cheque to New Straits Times Charity Unit executive Aidah Nordin yesterday.

The plight of the two young boys, Muhammad Syukur Helmee, one, and Mohamad Hafiz Hamin, four, was highlighted in the Malay Mail yesterday.

Both Syukur and Hafiz suffer from tetralogy of fallot - a hole between the two lower chambers of the heart, a narrow blood vessel to the lungs, thickened heart muscles and malalignment of the great blood vessels of the heart.

The children, like 116 other families, benefited from AIA's Have-A-Heart Fund which was established in 1998 to help poor heart patients below 10 to bear the cost of corrective surgeries.

Also present were AIA Malaysia senior agency leaders, Manmohan Abdullah, Jeffrey Kee and Allan Wong, and AIA Have-A-Heart Fund communications committee and fund raising committee chairman Mala Patmarajah.

Dua kanak-kanak yang mengalami masalah jantung, Muhammad Syukur Helmee, setahun dan Mohamad Hafiz Hamin, 4, mendapat perhatian apabila Tabung AIA Have-A-Heart memberi sumbangan RM60,000 kepada mereka untuk menampung kos pembedahan.

Muhammad Syukur mengalami kebiruan yang memerlukan dia melakukan pembedahan segera.

Kisah mereka sebelum ini disiarkan akhbar New Straits Times, kelmarin dan kedua-dua memerlukan antara RM27,000 hingga RM30,000 untuk pembedahan di Pusat Perubatan Gleneagles, Pulau Pinang.

Sumbangan itu disampaikan Ketua Agensi Kanan AIA Malaysia, Manmohan Abdullah, Jeffrey Kee dan Allan Wong kepada Eksekutif Unit Kebajikan The New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad (NSTP), Aidah Nordin.

The AIA Have-A-Heart Fund today rose to the occasion and donated RM20,000 to two children who needed heart surgery urgently.

Both parents of toddlers Paul Prevaiz Gill (four-month old) and Izzatul Nabihah Zainuddin (seven-month old) made an appeal through The Malay Mail on 28 July 2004.

At the AIA’s head office, Menara AIA in Kuala Lumpur, parents of Paul and Izzatul was presented with the contribution by Mr. Richard L. Bender, AIA Malaysia Executive Vice President and General Manager. Also present at the cheque presentation ceremony were Jeffrey Kee, immediate past President of Life Underwriter Sales Executive Board (LUSEB), Major Leow, Secretary General of LUSEB who represented the agency force of AIA and Tony Chan who is a member of the AIA Have-A-Heart Fund sponsorship committee.

The AIA Have-A-Heart Fund is a Malaysian Trust Fund established by American International Assurance (AIA) Malaysia, and was launched by the then Minister of Health, Dato’ Chua Jui Meng on January 22, 1998.

In establishing the Trust Fund, AIA made an initial corporate donation of RM500,000.

The Agency Force of AIA Malaysia had pledged to donate RM1 from their commissions of every life insurance policy sold. So far they have continuously contributed more than RM500,000 since inception of the Fund. For the year 2003 to 2004, AIA Agency Force raised RM100,000 towards the Fund.

Richard Bender said that he was extremely pleased with the company’s agents who make up 8,500 men and women “who are doing a good job of making sure that the poor are not denied access to healthcare and to give the children a new lease of life.”

“Our agents have always been professional in their work. In addition, their undaunted support towards community work is admirable and proves that they care just as much for the well being of the community,” Richard Bender explained.

He added that AIA aims to keep the Fund’s work a permanent agenda in the company’s calendar and the company is always striving to raise more funds. “More people have approached us for help and we have always tried to assist every appeal that is received. Since its inception, the AIA Have-A-Heart Fund has successfully sponsored open-heart surgeries for 99 children at a cost of RM1.36 million.”

Kuala Lumpur, In conjunction with the Chinese New Year, American International Assurance (AIA) and Denrich Corporation contributed a total of RM10,000 worth of items to the House of Joy for Girls in Puchong.

At the presentation ceremony, Mark O'Dell, Senior Vice President and General Manager of AIA Malaysia said, "The Chinese New Year is a very special time of the year and we would like the less fortunate to also have an opportunity to celebrate the festive season. We hope our contributions will help the home improve their facilities so as to better provide for the needs of the residents."

"At AIA, we have always been a keen participant of community development and over the years, we have supported a wide variety of worthy causes. It is our privilege to support the House of Joy which endeavors to provide love, care, counseling, education and training to help the needy, especially children and teenagers to face life's challenges and to become good citizens," he added.

AIA and Denrich donated a new washing machine, a water filter, hot water boilers, a color printer and a digital camera to the home. Lesley Mah, Administrator of House of Joy received the contributions on behalf of the home.

Managing Director of Denrich Corporation, Datuk Koh Su Seng was also present at the event. "We are pleased to be able to do our part for charity - our aim is to provide better opportunities to improve the lives of the less fortunate in our community. We hope our visit today bring lots New Year cheer to the residents of House of Joy and that they will benefit from our contributions," said Koh.

The 26 children and 2 old folks were clearly excited when O'Dell and Koh handed out 'angpows' and New Year presents to them. Brand new clothes for the new year were also presented to the children.

Everyone then sat down to savour a hi-tea party with a sumptuous spread and the kids were treated to a magic show by 'Cha Cha' the clown. They also enjoyed themselves on 'The Bouncing Castle' organised by Giggle House.

The House of Joy is a social concern and non-profit charity centre that administers shelter and care to orphans and children who are destitute, neglected or abused. Recently, House of Joy also started a home for those suffering from Down's Syndrome, as well as for old folks.

THE Lions and Lioness Clubs of Kuala Lumpur North are hoping to raise RM20,000 from the Strike 4 Charity bowling championships at the Cathay Bowl in Endah Parade on Aug 3.

Organising chairman Tony Chan said the amount collected would be donated to the National Kidney Foundation (NKF).

"We will be organising the Strike 4 Charity bowling championships for the third consecutive year," said Chan after receiving a RM5,000 sponsorship from the American International Assurance (AIA).

"The response from the public has been encouraging."AIA General Manager, Mark O'Dell said: "We have been part of the championships for the past two (2) years. Our support has been consistent with AIA's motto to help the needy."

Chan said they would limit entries to only thirty (30) teams for the team event and 100 bowlers for the individual category.

The entry fee for each team of three bowlers is RM300 while the entry fee for the individual category is RM100.
In the team category, the champions will receive RM1,200 and a trophy while the runners-up and third-placed teams will get RM900 and RM600 respectively.

Besides AIA, the other sponsors are Cathay Bowl, F&N Coca-Cola and Nestle Products. Chan said 15 teams had already confirmed their participation in the championships.

Registration forms are available at Cathay Bowl, Lions & Lioness Club of KL North and the National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia. For more information, contact 019-6620 816 or
071-8789 989.
(This news is extracted from 'The Star' dated July 11, 2003)

Through a pledge to donate RM1 per life insurance policy sold, the Agency Force of American International Assurance (AIA) has recently raised RM60,000 to help needy children undergo open-heart surgery.

The funds were raised by AIA agents between January and June this year. This initiative is an on-going fundraising project, and additional funds continue to be contributed to the Fund every day. Since the inception of the AIA Have-A-Heart Fund in 1998, the RM1 donation drive has so far successfully raised about RM350,000 for the Fund. The money collected will be used to sponsor heart surgeries urgently required by children whose families cannot afford the expensive procedure.

Describing the fundraising project, Mark O'Dell, AIA's Senior Vice President and General Manager said, "Through this meaningful campaign, the AIA's agency force has been able to show their caring side and perform community service every day despite their busy schedules. Their compassionate support towards the Fund will ensure the continuous success of this community programme, and will give a better future to many more children who suffer from heart disease."

To date, the Fund has sponsored nearly RM1 million towards the cost of surgery for 68 paediatric heart patients. The most recent recipient who benefited from the AIA Have-A-Heart Fund was Eh Hoo Lim, who recently underwent heart surgery.

1-year-old Eh Hoo Lim was found to be suffering from ventricular septal defect since birth. His condition had been slowly deteriorating and he urgently required open heart surgery to prevent it from worsening.

His family could not afford to raise funds for the surgery as Hoo Lim's father is a mechanic and mother is a housewife. Upon learning about their plight, the AIA Have-A-Heart Fund immediately stepped in to donate RM15,000 towards Hoo Lim's surgery. The surgery which took place at the National Heart Institute (IJN) in Kuala Lumpur recently was very successful. Hoo Lim is now on the way to leading a normal life. His parents expressed their sincere thanks to the AIA Have-A-Heart Fund for making it possible for Hoo Lim to have a bright future to look forward to.

Kuala Lumpur – American International Assurance (AIA) recently presented reconditioned photocopiers to five schools in a joint effort with Sharp Roxy Sales and Services Company.

One photocopier each was presented to several primary and secondary schools located in the vicinity of Menara AIA. The schools were Sekolah Menengah St John, Sekolah Kebangsaan St John 2, Sekolah Menengah Convent Bukit Nanas, as well as Convent Bukit Nanas – 1 and 2.

The project was part of AIA’s on-going neighbourhood initiative programme, which aims to help develop the surrounding community in which the company operates.

"This project is a joint effort with Sharp, who have undertaken to service and ensure the good working condition of these photocopiers which were previously used in our old headquarters, Wisma AIA," said AIA Senior Vice President and General Manager, Mark O’ Dell at the presentation ceremony.

"Institutions of learning play an extremely important role in moulding the future of our country, therefore AIA and Sharp are pleased to be able to extend our assistance and support to these schools," he added.

In AIA’s recent move from its former headquarters to Menara AIA, the company had also donated 268 pieces of furniture previously used in Wisma AIA to various associations, schools and non-profit organisations to meet the needs of their daily operations.

The Agency Force of American International Assurance (AIA) has recently raised RM50,000 to help needy children undergo open-heart surgery.

The funds were raised by AIA agents between January and May this year. For each new life insurance policy sold, the agents donated RM1 to the AIA Have-A-Heart Fund. This initiative is an on-going fundraising project, and additional funds continue to be contributed to the Fund every day.

Since the inception of the AIA Have-A-Heart Fund in 1998, the RM1 donation drive has so far successfully raised about RM224,000 for the Fund. The money collected will be used to sponsor heart surgeries urgently required by children whose families cannot afford the expensive procedure. To date, the Fund has sponsored RM814,000 towards the cost of surgery for 52 paediatric heart patients.

At the recent Life Underwriter Sales Executive Board (LUSEB) seminar held on 10 August 2001 at the Genting Highland Resort, Jeffrey Kee, President of LUSEB who represented the agency force of AIA handed over the cheque for RM50,000 to Mark O' Dell, AIA's Senior Vice President and General Manager. O' Dell expressed gratitude to those contributing towards the programme, and commended the agency force for their compassionate support towards the Fund.

"The AIA Have-A-Heart Fund is a long-term community relations programme which aims to help to improve the lives of deserving children, their families and the overall community," said O' Dell. "Although RM1 may seem an almost insignificant amount, the combined contributions of nearly 7,000 AIA insurance agents to the Have-A-Heart Fund add up to a substantial sum. Their contributions will ensure the continuous success of the Fund, so that many more children throughout the country will stand a chance of living a better, and indeed a longer life."

"AIA prides itself not only on its exceptional financial strength and ability, but also in its commitment to the Malaysian people. AIA's agents and staff are extremely proud of the important contribution we are making to the betterment of children's lives," he added.

American International Assurance (AIA) recently organised a campaign to collect second hand items from its staff and agents, which were later contributed to several welfare homes and charitable organisations.

The aim of the "Let's Care & Share" campaign was to collect used items that are still in good condition, and which can be put to good use by welfare homes.

The programme received overwhelming response as the employees donated clothes, toys, magazines, books, household items and even old furniture to the cause. Nearly 50 boxes of these items were collected.

The welfare homes which received the contributions were Rumah Ozanam and Wawasan Orphanage Centre. The donations were also channeled to the Malaysian Red Crescent Society in aid of flood victims. Rumah Ozanam is a home for abused, neglected, abandoned and homeless children. It also provides temporary shelter for battered women and unwed mothers, while Wawasan Orphanage Centre is a home for 20 children and 11 elderly folks.

At the presentation ceremony, AIA Senior Vice President and General Manager, Mark O' Dell handed out the donations to representatives from the two homes and the Malaysian Red Crescent Society. "Through this programme, we hope to promote and cultivate social values among our people. We are glad to see that the teamwork spirit of all staff and agents have made this campaign a success," said O' Dell.

"We hope our contributions today will in some small way, make a meaningful difference to the lives of the underprivileged. In future, we look forward to holding more programmes which will be beneficial to the less fortunate in our society," he added.

On 23/7/2001, the parents of three Have-A-Heart Fund recipients, who were recovering from heart surgery, held a press conference to thank AIA for helping to sponsor their respective operations at the Gleneagles Medical Centre, Penang.

Loh Guat Lan, AIA Assistant Vice President & Director of Agencies (North) as well as agents and staff were at the hospital to see how the chidlren were doing, and presented fruit baskets to their families.

A total of RM26,500 from the AIA Have-A-Heart Fund was contributed towards the cost of surgery for one-year old Lee Zhi Xuan, two-year-old Yeap Mou Qie and three-year-old Amirah Ahmad Sabri.

Ten-month-old Khaw Xuan Rong is now on the way to leading a normal life thanks to the AIA Have-A-Heart Fund which sponsored her open-heart surgery recently.

Her father, Khaw Kiang Giap, 26, and her mother, Tan Chin Hui, 25 said they could not afford to pay for the expensive open-heart surgery as they only earn a combined monthly income of RM1,600. Khaw works as a shop assistant while Tan is a factory accounts clerk.

Xuan Rong has been suffering from a heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. Besides heart problems, she also suffers from complete cleft palate and is not able to eat well as the food will regurgitate into her nose when she eats.

The family made an appeal earlier this year for financial assistance to carry out the vital heart surgery required by Xuan Rong. Upon learning of her plight, the AIA Have-A-Heart Fund came forward to donate RM20,000 towards Xuan Rong's surgery.

The surgery which took place at the Penang Adventist Hospital recently was very successful. Prior to the surgery, Xuan Rong was tired all the time and would easily fall sick. Like most babies, Xuan Rong loves to play but even this was difficult for her as every time she exerted herself, she became breathless and her skin would turn blue.

After she underwent surgery, such difficulties have become a thing of the past as she made a rapid and satisfactory recovery. Her parents expressed their sincere thanks to AIA for making it possible for Xuan Rong to live a normal life. "We are very happy and very grateful. We would like to thank the AIA Have-A-Heart Fund for helping to save Xuan Rong's life".

Meanwhile, six-year-old Nalan Raj a/l Balan is also recovering from surgery to correct his congenital heart septal defect. The surgery was recently carried out at the National Heart Institute (IJN) in Kuala Lumpur.

His father, Balan a/l Muniandy, 36, a lorry driver and mother, Indra d/o Selvarajoo, 28, a housewife thanked the AIA Have-A-Heart Fund for donating RM12,500 towards the cost of the surgery.

AIA Senior Vice President and General Manager, Mark O' Dell said the AIA Have-A-Heart Fund is aimed at helping deserving children to undergo heart surgeries.

"These young children can now look forward to a future full of hope and promise. We are glad that the AIA Have-A-Heart Fund has made a meaningful difference to Xuan Rong and Nalan's lives," he added.

American International Assurance (AIA) recently paid a special tribute to mothers of children with heart diseases. At a Mother's Day celebration organised by the Gleneagles Medical Centre, Penang, Ms. Loh Guat Lan, AIA Assistant Vice President & Director of Agencies (North) acknowledged the efforts of these women, and that they deserved special recognition for all that they have done for their children.

"A great deal of patience is required to look after the special needs of children with heart conditions. In some cases, the mothers have even had to give up their own careers, hopes and dreams so that they can attend to their child's needs full-time. No where is the love and sacrifice of a mother more evident than in their cases as they have shown great strength and resilience in facing up to the challenges in bringing up their children who require special attention" said Loh.

Along with other AIA representatives, she presented heart-shaped gold pendants to 20 mothers of paediatric heart patients. All the 20 young heart patients have earlier had their surgeries sponsored by the AIA Have-A-Heart Fund.

"We at AIA take great pride in being able to associate ourselves with these exceptional women. We decided to present these mothers with gifts to show them that their selfless acts have not gone unnoticed, and to spur them on in their daily lives. We would like to congratulate them for being an inspiration, not just to others in the same situation, but also to mothers everywhere as they are indeed proof that a mother's love can overcome any obstacles", concluded Loh.

American International Assurance (AIA) recently paid a visit to the children of Shelter in Petaling Jaya, and contributed a personal computer, printer, fax machine and scanner to the welfare home.

AIA Senior Vice President and General Manager, Mark O' Dell led agency leaders and staff on the visit and made the presentation to Shelter Chairman, James Nayagam.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, O' Dell said, " Community development is very much a concern to us here at AIA. Over the years, we have supported a variety of worthy causes with the aim of providing better opportunities to improve the lives of the people in the communities we serve."

"We are glad to be able to contribute items which are urgently needed by Shelter. These items will be used to facilitate its newly set up Counselling Centre to help teenagers in difficult situations, and will be instrumental in the training of volunteer counsellors and Child Care workers. Shelter hopes to be able to help over 250 boys and girls within the next two years. With these gifts, we hope AIA is able to help them achieve their noble goals," he added.

James Nayagam, Chairman of Shelter was grateful for the contributions from AIA and said, "We would like to thank AIA for their encouragement and for providing us with the tools to work with, in our teaching, and also to help other children's homes."

AIA's visit to Shelter is part of the Life Insurance Association of Malaysia's (LIAM) community service initiative. Each month, LIAM members take turns to contribute to a deserving community organisation or project.

Established in 1981, Shelter is a home for the abused, neglected and abandoned children. It operates four homes with more than 80 children and teenagers in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya. The home's objective is to rescue and protect children from the trauma of physical and sexual abuse, extreme neglect, abandonment and witnessing of domestic violence. The safe and caring environment of the home helps them regain trust, self-worth and discipline. Shelter helps promote child welfare and prevent child abuse by providing kindergarten and tuition classes, and through community education. For further details, call 03-7955 0663.

The AIA Have-A-Heart Fund, a Malaysian Trust Fund established by American International Assurance (AIA) to sponsor paediatric heart surgery, has recently sponsored RM56,500 towards the cost of surgery for two young heart patients.

Ten-year-old Noor Sadatul Akma Mohd Soaeb was diagnosed with Pulmonary Atresia with Ventricular Septal Defect, a complex congenital heart disease when she was two months old. Because of her condition, she looks pale, underweight and is unable to join her siblings in any kind of physical activity. Kang Kok Siang, who is two years old was found to be suffering from Tetralogy of Fallot after his birth. He has respiratory problems and easily gets tired when he is playing. At times, his skin turns blue when he is not well. Both urgently require open heart surgery to prevent their condition from worsening.

Noor Sadatul, who has gone through two operations previously still needs to undergo total corrective heart surgery at the National Heart Institute (IJN). Kok Siang is scheduled to undergo surgery at the Penang Glenagles Medical Centre in May 2001.

The two children’s families could not afford to raise funds for the surgery as Noor Sadatul’s father works as a school guard and her mother as a factory operator, while Kok Siang’s father is a lorry driver and mother is a housewife.

Upon learning about their plight, the AIA Have-A-Heart Fund immediately stepped in to donate RM30,000 towards Noor Sadatul’s surgery and RM26,500 towards Kok Siang’s.

Mr. Mark O’ Dell, Senior Vice President and General Manager of AIA, stated his enthusiasm for AIA’s continuing assistance to deserving children requiring heart surgery.

"The AIA Have-A-Heart is now in its 3rd successful year in helping needy children who suffer from serious heart ailments. We are pleased that the Fund is able to give a new lease of life to these unfortunate children. So far, the AIA Have-A-Heart Fund has sponsored RM660,000 towards the cost of surgery for 38 paediatric heart patients," said Mr. O’ Dell.The AIA Have-A-Heart Fund is a Malaysian Trust Fund established by American International Assurance Malaysia, and was launched by the Minister of Health, Dato’ Chua Jui Meng on January 22, 1998. AIA established this Fund as part of its on-going good corporate citizenship activities, with the objective of having an important impact on communities throughout Malaysia.

Approved paediatric patients who meet the sponsorship criteria become eligible to have the cost of the surgical procedure covered by the AIA Have-A-Heart Fund. Patients may have their heart surgery conducted in any AIA approved government or private hospital in Malaysia.

In conjunction with the 11th Life Insurance Day, the Life Insurance Association of Malaysia (LIAM) held its annual charity event on 19 Jan 2001. Representatives from AIA, OAC Insurance and Malaysian Assurance Alliance (MAA) hosted a tea party for the elderly residents of Silver Jubilee Home in Penang. Penang AIA Branch Manager, Grace Chee and the team presented RM2,000 worth of items, including a 29" Television set and printer cartridges to the home. Contributions in kind were also distributed to 21 other charitable and welfare homes around the country. LIAM has been organizing this annual charity event since 1991. The aim is to promote greater involvement of all the member companies in social welfare activities and to help the underprivileged. Bringing cheer to kids.

As part of its extensive community programme, American Insurance Assurance (AIA) recently donated RM3,000 worth of essential items to Tasputra Perkim, a day-care centre for the physically and mentally handicapped children.

AIA Malaysia Senior Vice-President and General Manager, Mark O'Dell donated a television set and food items to the centre. The children were also given ang pows in conjunction with the Chinese New Year. For the 40-odd children, the visit by the company was a meaningful one as it not only brought cheer and joy to them, it also helped to create a better environment for them.

"It is our way of showing love for the less fortunate in the society, such as the orphans, the handicapped and the elderly," said O'Dell. He said every year the company tried to do something for the less fortunate and they were pleased to be able to bring joy and care to them.

Tasputra Perkim is Malaysia's first Muslim day-care centre for physically, visually and mentally handicapped children from low income families regardless of race and religion. It provides nursery assistance and training to these special children aged between two and 10 years. The centre's objective is to develop and train these children to be as independent as possible.

In a move to help poor children suffering from congenital heart disease requiring homograft surgery to lead better lives, the American International Assurance Company, Ltd. today launched a fund to sponsor their operation at the National Heart Institute.

The assistance is for those children who need to undergo open heart homograft surgery which costs between RM25,000 and RM30,000. This surgery is to create a conduit from the right side of the heart to the lung. Preserved heart valves or arteries from donor patients are used to create the channel so that a person can lead a healthy life.

The "Have-A-Heart Fund" which will sponsor surgeries for 12 children this year - was launched by Health Minister Datuk Chua Jui Meng at a leading hotel. The fund now stands at RM668,000 and the target is to reach RM1.5 million within three years. The money comes from the AIA as well as its staff and agents who will also organize fund-raising campaigns. AIA Vice President and Director of Agencies, Lee Chin Leong handed a mock check for RM500,000 to Chua while agents pledged another RM168,000. The fund is managed by a board of trustees and four committees.

The first recipient was Fazliana Kamaruddin, seven, from Pengkalan Pegoh, Perak, who received RM30,000 to undergo surgery on March 2. Her father, Kamaruddin Soan, is a factory technician and her mother, Norashimah Shuib, a housewife. Describing the AIA fund as a "praiseworthy" move, Chua said the institute had carried out 60 homograft procedures so far, with 26 patients undergoing the operation last year and 15 still on the waiting list. "It is commendable that especially at this juncture when the economy is facing problems, the AIA as well as its staff and agents have managed to raise RM668,000 for the fund," Chua said. The institute will recommend the potential homograft patients to the "Have-A-Heart Fund" committee for sponsorship.

Chua said the Ministry was concerned over cardiovascular disease as it was the main cause of deaths in government hospitals. He urged Malaysians to undergo screening for the disease. According to the l996 National Health and Morbidity Survey, 29 per cent of those aged over 30 had hypertension. Chua said other high-risk factors related to cardiovascular disease were diabetes, high levels of cholesterol in the blood, obesity and smoking. Earlier, AIA General Manager Geoffrey R. Saggers said AIA was committed to having a long-term community relations program this year which also marked its 50th anniversary and do "its part as a responsible corporate citizen".

The staff of AIA Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya offices donated RM3,500 to the North Korean Famine Fund. The company matched dollar for dollar thus making the total amount RM7,000. The amount was donated to the Fund on 16th October 1997.

The Kuching branch of AIA was once again entrusted by LIAM to coordinate activities in Sarawak to mark the 7th Life Insurance Day. The organizing committee decided to visit a home for the elderly, Rumah Seri Kenangan, and a boys' home, Sekolah Tunas Bakti, in Kota Samarahan.

The visiting delegation comprised representatives from other life insurance companies. Rumah Seri Kenangan and Sekolah Tunas Bakti were presented with essential items such as blankets while inmates received foodstuff. The delegation also visited the hospital and sick bay at Rumah Seri Kenangan.

(The following account is extracted from a news report which appeared in a Malaysian daily.)

On March 6, 1996, in the northern border town of Kangar, Perlis, Ms. Ong Lee Peng was driving home when her car suddenly lost control and crashed. She sustained serious head injuries in the accident, and was admitted to Kangar Hospital under intensive care. She required specialist treatment which was not available at that hospital. The local hospital was also unable to provide emergency evacuation service.

It was then that Mr. Tang Swee Hang, a Senior Agency Manager at AIA, recommended that the family use the AIAS Evacuation and Repatriation Service. The emergency evacuation was successfully carried out, and the patient was transported to Singapore for immediate treatment. She has since fully recovered, and her family held a dinner on October 10, 1996 in appreciation of all those who assisted saving her life.

The following chronicles the events which took place on March 7, 1996 in the emergency evacuation of Ms. Ong:

0630: AIAS ready to take off on emergency evacuation. 0745: AIAS arrives at Seletar Airport.
1215: Obtains clearance and prepares to take off.
1335: Arrives at Alor Setar Airport.
1410: Emergency Evacuation Unit arrives at Alor Setar Airport, and arranges for discharge of patient from Kangar Hospital.
1520: Prepares to take off from Alor Setar Airport.
1535: Departs from Alor Setar Airport.
1655: Arrives at Seletar Airport, and patient is admitted to Singapore General Hospital.

American International Assurance Company, Ltd. today made a donation to the Convent Bukit Nanas Primary and Secondary Schools. The presentation was made to the Chairman of the Parent-Teacher Association of Convent Bukit Nanas Secondary School.

Every year, AIA sets aside funds for the purpose of assisting Malaysia in its nation-building efforts.

American International Assurance Company, Ltd. today made a donation to Sekolah Rendah Bantuan (SRB) Chung Hua Mile 4. The money is AIA's contribution towards SRK Chung Hua's building fund for the reconstruction of the school buildings which were razed to the ground in a fire on December 4, 1995.

According to a representative of AIA, it is AIA's social responsibility to give assistance to schools that are in need of funds to carry out their projects. Schools which are in dire need of funds for basic necessities will also benefit from this program.

American International Assurance Company, Ltd. today made a donation to SRJK (C) Kong Min Cawangan Satu in Air Itam, Penang.

According to Mr. Choo Chye Oo, a Senior Agency Manager of AIA, the school was selected to receive the money under the AIA School Education Welfare Foundation. Schools are selected based on their financial need and situation. In the case of SRJK (C) Kong Min Cawangan Satu, several of their students are from low-income families, and require financial support. The money will be fully utilized for the benefit of the school and its students. The school was also damaged in a recent landslide, and this has caused the relocation of students to another school.