Kao Malaysia is once again driving its mission to empower women, through Laurier and Magiclean, in collaboration with Ibupreneur, marking its third consecutive year of partnership dedicated to uplifting mothers from underserved communities.
Guided by Kao’s “Kirei” philosophy of making life beautiful for all, the initiative reflects a sustained commitment to creating meaningful, lasting social impact.
Timed with the spirit of Ramadan and Raya, the 2026 initiative goes beyond festive giving to focus on long-term resilience and economic independence for women, particularly single mothers and those from underserved communities. Through the Laurier Cares Movement, supported by Magiclean’s emphasis on hygiene and cleanliness, the collaboration equips women with the tools, skills, and support they need.
“We have seen the dedication among the women, how they continue to persevere despite challenges, and how they show up not just for themselves, but for their families and communities. At Kao Malaysia, we believe that true empowerment goes beyond immediate support; it lies in creating opportunities that enable women to build sustainable livelihoods,” said Yamazaki Hirobumi, President of Kao Malaysia.
Speaking at the event, Jessie Khong, AVP of HCD and Administration at Kao Malaysia, shared the vision behind the collaboration“Our partnership with Ibupreneur extends beyond products; it’s about driving meaningful, long-term impact. This year, our Kao volunteers teamed up with Ibupreneur mothers to bake Raya cookies, supporting higher production during the festive season. Kao Malaysia then purchased these cookies as goodwill gifts for our retail partners, directly supporting the mothers’ household income.”
To further support business growth, Laurier and Magiclean facilitated a series of workshops for the mothers focused on branding and digital capabilities, covering tools such as AI, Canva, and TikTok content creation for business. These sessions equipped participants with practical, hands-on skills to help sustain and grow their ventures.
The initiative also responded to urgent needs on the ground. For mothers affected by recent floods, targeted crisis support was extended in the form of home cleaning assistance to restore safe living conditions. Families also received product hampers, valued at up to RM200 and cash vouchers of up to RM1,500 to help cover daily expenses. In total, Kao Malaysia contributed RM30,000 worth of essential product hampers and contributions, including Laurier sanitary products and Magiclean household cleaning solutions, benefiting over 50 mothers.
Aida Zunaidi, CEO of Ibupreneur, shared that the NGO continues to welcome support from the corporate sector in helping their cause to uplift mothers towards a more stable livelihood. “Many of them have faced significant hardships in their lives, and we are simply helping them to create better opportunities for mothers everywhere,” she said.
Through a comprehensive 13-module training programme covering product development, branding, marketing, and financial management, participants are equipped with the tools needed to achieve financial independence.
Two participants of the programme, Yusniza Yusof, 41, and Siti Musliha Ismail, 46, shared their gratitude for the opportunity to develop new skills that have made a meaningful difference in their lives.“This initiative has given me the chance to learn something new and step out of my comfort zone. It’s not always easy balancing responsibilities, but having this kind of support makes a real difference,” said Siti Musliha.
“This programme has given us more than just skills, it has built our confidence and given us a clearer sense of direction. Being able to learn, connect, and grow alongside other mothers reminds us that we are not alone in this journey. Opportunities like this motivate us to keep moving forward and create a better future for our families,” said Yusniza.
The event wrapped up at Kao x Ibupreneur Raya Open House 2026, held at Ibupreneur HQ in TTDI under the theme “Berkongsi Kasih, Menyebar Harapan.” The gathering brought together Ibupreneur mothers, Kao volunteers, and partners to honour and celebrate women’s journeys toward independence and resilience.
