After a highly successful inaugural ANAHO programme with Yayasan Chow Kit (YCK), OMESTI and its subsidiary Microlink recently took on a second project with the young people of YCK. This initiative, “A Community Project: Bookshelf-Making” was a collaboration between local social enterprise Me.reka Makerspace, OMESTI-Microlink employees and the youngsters. An added bonus is that it provided hands-on practical experience in carpentry for everyone taking part!

This enterprising idea was sparked during a visit to the Yayasan Chow Kit Centre where OMESTI staff realised that some of their bookshelves were old, dilapidated and full to overflowing.

“We wanted to create something meaningful and establish the relationship between our employees and the YCK youngsters for the longer term. With ANAHO, we are also looking to find ways to empower both young people and our employees to try something different and develop new skills, such as carpentry,” said Ms Mah Xian-Zhen, Executive Director of OMESTI.

Pusenthi, YCK Centre Manager, said, “We truly appreciate OMESTI and Microlink staff giving up time on their weekend to do this together. Maybe you will not see the immediate impact it could bring, but having a bookshelf with space to store more books in an attractive way can encourage young people to read.”

One of the youngsters from YCK added, “This programme has shown us that we are capable of building things on our own. The best part is being able to interact with staff members from OMESTI-Microlink.” Once the bookshelf was complete, a group from OMESTI-Microlink and Me.reka brought the final product to be assembled at the YCK Centre together some of the youngsters.

After a briefing by Jey of Me.reka Makerspace, the participants split into two groups, to set about measuring and cutting the wood.

The activity concluded with the youngsters drawing freestyle on the bookshelf.