Community Outreach

PRN engage diverse communities through educational campaigns and interactive workshops to create healthier, safer environments. PRN’s initiatives focus on promoting responsible chemical use, poisoning prevention, and informed decision-making. By joining PRN’s efforts, you can gain the knowledge and tools needed to protect yourself and your loved ones, fostering a culture of safety and well-being.

Penang Safe Home Campaign

PRN in collaboration with the Penang State Government, the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) Penang, and the Penang Consumers' Association (PSPPP), launched the SAFE HOME CAMPAIGN. This home chemical safety awareness program, a continuation of the "Living With The Enemy" [LWTE] educational program, received support and funding from the Penang State Government under the Executive Councillor for International and Domestic Trade, Consumer Affairs, and Entrepreneurial Development. This initiative by PRN aims to educate on home chemical safety through a relaxed, informative, and enjoyable approach.

The campaign was conducted across five districts in Penang over two years. Its successful introductory campaign took place at Mydin Mall Bertam on November 17, 2018, officiated by YB Dato’ Haji Abdul Halim bin Hussain, the Penang State Executive Councillor for International and Domestic Trade, Consumer Affairs, and Entrepreneurial Development.

State Government financial and technical support over two years ensured the program's successful execution. Key campaign attractions included "Toxland Adventure," an educational game on toxicology and poisoning prevention, featuring activities like "Fix the Fact," "I’m a Hero," "Hop & Help," "My Lovely Home," and "Asid@Alkali." Visitors also participated in a drawing competition for school children. Additionally, the campaign offered engaging knowledge-sharing sessions on safe home chemical storage via the "Sembang Santai" segment and interactive exhibitions.

The Safe Home Program: Empowering a Community at USM

In 2023, PRN launched the pioneering "Safe Home Program" with support from the Malaysian National Commission for UNESCO (SKUM). This initiative aimed to boost poisoning prevention knowledge among Orang Asli children from Sungai Siput, Perak.

The program engaged 36 students from SMK Bawong in a two-day residential experience at USM. Prior to their arrival, 15 USM undergraduates were trained as facilitators to guide the students through the "Toxland Adventures" module, featuring five hands-on activities and interactive games focused on household chemical safety.

Students participated in campus tours, motivational talks, and collaborative sessions, which fostered a strong connection with the university environment. The program successfully reinforced lessons on poison prevention through engaging activities and creative group assignments, which students later shared with their peers. This project not only equipped participants with life-saving knowledge but also built a bridge between the university and the community, inspiring future educational pursuits and fostering a culture of safety.

KAMiBest Program

The KAMiBest Program is a capacity-building and empowerment initiative for preschool teachers, using the Kamishibai storytelling technique to promote health literacy on the harmful effects of smoking among children in Penang. Through this program, a total of 29 KEMAS preschool teachers from across Penang were trained to use Kamishibai storytelling to educate preschool students about the dangers of smoking. Raising awareness about the harms of smoking from an early age can serve as a protective shield, preventing them from picking up this unhealthy habit. These children also have the potential to become “Agents of Change” by spreading anti-smoking messages creatively. The program aligns closely with the government’s aspiration to build a Generation End Game (GEG) — a smoke-free generation.

Funded through a university-community engagement grant by the Industry and Community Network Division (BJIM, USM), the program began in June 2021 and was implemented almost entirely online. It also received support from the Malaysian Board on Books for Young People (IBBY Malaysia) and the Green Lung Malaysia Organization.

Each ambassador was provided with one storytelling stage (butai) and six story cards. All participating teachers underwent more than 10 interactive sessions involving health literacy activities, capacity-building, and continuous mentoring by facilitators from the National Poison Centre, USM. As a result, nearly 600 KEMAS preschool children in Penang benefited from the exposure to anti-smoking messages delivered through storytelling. The teachers produced 168 story videos and 8 new original stories. The program had significant impact, with 389 anti-smoking advocacy activities carried out by KEMAS preschool children through various platforms and initiatives.

The program received a 3-star rating from the Industry and Community Network Division (BJIM, USM). It is hoped that the KAMiBest program can be expanded to all KEMAS preschools and other preschools nationwide, so that more children can benefit from it.