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After decades of supporting communities across\u00a0 South East Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts has published its inaugural South East Asia\u00a0 Communities Report, to celebrate the partnerships it has forged to help improve thousands of\u00a0 lives across the region.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s not just about the numbers. The report shines a light on some of the transformational\u00a0 activities delivered in local communities, and the inspiring stories of the partners involved. By\u00a0 sharing those stories, IHG hopes to affect even greater change this year and beyond.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In Malaysia, a fantastic example is a partnership forged with SURI \u2013 a Malaysian social\u00a0 enterprise dedicated to empowering single and underprivileged mothers by providing the skill of sewing, to provide them a source of income. Founded by a mother-son duo in 2016, SURI\u2019s\u00a0 goal is to help each underprivileged mother reduce dependance on government support through\u00a0 fulltime work and provide opportunities for skills training.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Since 2022, SURI and IHG have worked together to develop a sustainable gifting programme\u00a0 that produces high quality gifts from discarded and recycled hotel linen, including in-room\u00a0 amenities, corporate gifts, and festive hampers. Last year alone, over 400 kilograms of hotel\u00a0 bed linen from InterContinental Kuala Lumpur were upcycled into gifts.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The success of the partnership has enabled SURI to scale up its operations and expand to\u00a0 Langkawi, supporting an additional 100 mothers there.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Sophie Mougel, Director of Operations, South East Asia and Korea, IHG Hotels & Resorts,\u00a0 said: \u201cWe are dedicated to contributing to the wellbeing of local communities in Malaysia and its\u00a0 fantastic that we have impacted more than 1,500 lives last year. I\u2019m very proud of our\u00a0 colleagues who have demonstrated their unwavering commitment by dedicating more than\u00a0 3,200 volunteering hours to various causes in Malaysia.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cCollaborating with organisations like SURI is a privilege, and we\u2019re delighted that this\u00a0 partnership helps our team to do good in the community and boost Malaysia\u2019s circular economy.\u00a0 Partnerships like these are integral to our Journey to Tomorrow 2030 responsible business plan,\u00a0 where we aim to improve the lives of 30 million people. We remain steadfast in supporting\u00a0 initiatives that help build a better future, aligning with our purpose of True Hospitality for Good.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Amer Asyraf, Co-Founder and Director of SURI Lifestyle, commented: \u201cIn Malaysia, single\u00a0 mothers represent 1.7% of the entire population, or about 240,000 people, and there is a need\u00a0 to narrow the gender gap in the labour market. SURI\u2019s mission is empowering women in the\u00a0 country, and we are thrilled to have IHG as a key partner in this collective journey.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe strongly believe that collaborations like these have a significant impact to these families,\u00a0 with the added value of a strong community of support, to make a difference for the lives of the\u00a0 mothers and their children for years to come.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n