Touch ‘n Go Group Collaborates with United Voice to Empower the Differently Abled Communities Through Art

One of the strategic focus areas in the Group’s sustainability efforts is to ensure the inclusion of Malaysians from all walks of life

 [L-R] Lum Joy Deng, Chief Corporate Development Officer of Touch ‘n Go Group, Effendy Shahul Hamid, Group Chief Executive Officer of Touch ‘n Go Group,  Johari Jamali, Treasurer of United Voice, and Nora Tan Siew May, mother of United Voice artists, Ashley and Damian Wong at the launch of the Touch ‘n Go Collaboration with United Voice.

Driven by its sustainability principles to empower the inclusion of those with learning disabilities, Touch ‘n Go Group today announced its long-term collaboration with United Voice, starting with the purchase of paintings from United Voice artists and incorporating the artwork on limited edition specially designed Touch ‘n Go cards with the aim of profiling the talents of these artists while raising funds for United Voice.

Touch ‘n Go has purchased 10 paintings – 1 painting from each of 10 talented artists – which are featured on specially designed Touch ‘n Go cards. There are 4,000 pieces of each card design. The proceeds from the purchase of the paintings go directly to each artist whilst a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the cards will be channelled to United Voice for their daily operations as well as projects to drive new revenue and employment opportunities for their members, such as mobile coffee carts, sewing workshops, and entrepreneurship programmes.

Touch ‘n Go is hosting the art exhibition from today till 5 October 2022, to showcase paintings from the United Voice artists. Besides displaying the paintings which were purchased by Touch ‘n Go for the limited-edition cards, other paintings by the 10 artists are also on exhibition with selected artwork up for sale to the public. Proceeds from the sale of these paintings also go directly to the artists.

“We are pleased to be working together with United Voice, with the purpose of creating awareness for their cause, and helping to empower those with learning disabilities to seek gainful employment and live independently. The paintings selected for our specially designed cards celebrate the talents of the 10 United Voice artists who have various forms of learning challenges from a young age. Through the support of United Voice and those around them, these artists tell stories about what inspires them, and express their thoughts and emotions so beautifully through their artwork,” said Effendy Shahul Hamid, Group Chief Executive Officer of Touch ‘n Go Group.

Many of these artists have received awards for their art both locally and internationally, with their artwork sold to collectors from across the globe and many made their way into greeting cards, calendars, and hallways.

Effendy Shahul Hamid, Group Chief Executive Officer of Touch ‘n Go Group, talking to one of the United Voice artists, Tan Seng Kit, and his mother.

United Voice, set up in 2005, is Malaysia’s first non-governmental organisation (NGO) to be run by persons with learning disabilities. It champions self-advocacy to reduce the isolation of people with learning disabilities such as Down syndrome, autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and cerebral palsy, providing them with the tools, training, platforms, and experience to take control of their lives.

United Voice Treasurer, Johari Jamali said, “On behalf of all our members and staff of United Voice, I take this opportunity to thank Touch ‘n Go for choosing United Voice’s artists’ paintings for your special edition cards. This collaboration highlights the talents of our artists to the public, giving the artists another avenue to profile themselves and their work to earn a meaningful livelihood independently. It also helps to raise awareness on United Voice, giving us the opportunity to enable more persons with learning disabilities to achieve their fullest potential. We are truly honoured to be part of this long-term collaboration, so thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

Touch ‘n Go Group has refined its CSR priorities to strategically meet the needs of local communities while addressing sustainable targets linked to the United Nation’s Sustainability Development Goals. The Group’s longer term strategic focus areas encompass empowering the differently abled; fostering the inclusion of B40 and underbanked communities; and promoting responsible consumption.

Effendy Shahul Hamid, Group Chief Executive Officer of Touch ‘n Go Group, Lum Joy Deng, Chief Corporate Development Officer of Touch ‘n Go Group, Johari Jamali, Treasurer of United Voice and Gurdip Singh, Chief Sustainability Officer and Chief People Officer, CIMB Group with the artists and parents from United Voice.

In line with its focus on the inclusion of Malaysians from all walks of life and the empowerment of the differently abled, Touch 'n Go Group has partnered with Yayasan Gamuda's Enabling Academy to hire their graduates who are on the autism spectrum. Since embarking on this journey in March 2022, the Group has trained 15 of its managers to be equipped as job coaches for Enabling Academy graduates and has successfully hired 4 of the graduates to join Touch 'n Go Group. The Group also supported the Spastic Children’s Association of Selangor & Federal Territory by contributing to the construction of Sunshine Cafeteria. The cafeteria aims to provide a safe space where those with cerebral palsy can develop skillsets in hospitality and build their confidence to seek employment in future.

Touch ‘n Go Group was recently awarded ‘Company of the Year’ under the fintech and digital payment services category for community well-being initiatives at the recent Sustainability & CSR Malaysia Awards 2022. The award serves as a recognition of the Group’s commitment to reaching out to the communities in need and cultivating sustainable efforts with non-governmental organisations.

The Touch ‘n Go collaboration with United Voice’s specially designed cards are priced at RM25 each and sold exclusively at the art exhibition.