By V. Sivaji
“DahDerma” is the latest digital platform initiative launched by the Penang State Government to inculcate volunteerism and charity orientated community deeds.
In launching the event, Penang Chief Minister YAB Chow Kon Yeow called on members of the public, corporate bodies, multinationals, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and government linked companies (GLCs) to do their bid in helping the underprivileged and the needy.
It will also allow the youth to express their volunteerism spirit for the community.
The platform allows NGOs to run fundraising campaigns online, NGOs and GLCs to recruit volunteers, while members of the public can donate towards fundraising campaigns and participate in volunteer programmes.
As of date, the participating organisations are Digital Penang, Penang Green Council, Penang Youth Development Corporation, Penang Women’s Development Corporation, Penang Institute, Penang Care Society and Tzu-Chi Malaysia.
“As part of the state’s efforts in our journey towards digitalisation, we have launched the DahDerma platform which will be accessible to NGOs, GLCs and the public. Now live on dahderma.my that is mobile-friendly, secure and easy to use, we want to further scale our community initiatives and volunteering opportunities at large where members of the community can be a part of.
“We believe that this will bring us a step closer in achieving ‘A family-focused, green and smart state that inspires the nation’ together.” said Chow in his speech.
Meanwhile, State Exco for Environment and Welfare, Phee Boon Poh added that they have close to 3,000 Penang2030 volunteers, and the goal is to engage 20,000 youth, women and senior citizens volunteers by 2030.
“With DahDerma.my, we hope that the online platform can reach all communities where they can donate to social, and community causes as well as cultivate the spirit of volunteerism. It is an all-in-one social engagement platform where one can Fundraise, Donate and Volunteer.”, he said.
Presently, the platform is running four active fundraising campaigns by Penang Care Society and Tzu-Chi Malaysia.
Penang Care Society aims to raise RM50,000 to fund filter replacements for oxygen concentrators to support home-quarantined underprivileged COVID-19 patients who require ventilators; and RM100,000 toward mental health awareness and education for the recruitment of counsellors and psychiatrists to conduct training and workshops.
Tzu-Chi Malaysia of the Penang Chapter is raising RM175,000 for its Vision Education campaign to provide education for needy students and RM500,000 to provide free dialysis treatments for poor patients at its Tzu-Chi Dialysis Centres.
Members of the public can register and sign up to donate towards fundraising campaigns and volunteer in social programmes by participating GLCs and NGOs now at www.dahderma.my.
The project is also a part of Penang2030’s strategic initiative.
Also present was State Exco for Social Development and Non-Islamic Matters, Chong Eng and State Exco for Infrastructure and Transport, Zairil Khir Johari.
Meanwhile, Dato Khoo Boo Leong and his members represented Tzu-Chi while Dr Ngoo Seong Boon and his team represented Penang Care Society while Tony Yeoh, CEO for Digital Penang were present.
