Citadines Penang Anchors Community Care with River Cleanup & Orphanage Renovation
- thefxigroup
- Mar 18
- 2 min read
The hotel group’s staff unite in Penang to support environmental restoration and children’s welfare through a community-led CSR campaign.
Recently, Citadines Penang, part of Ascott International Management Malaysia, brought together over 80 employees from its 22 Malaysian properties for a large-scale CSR initiative in Georgetown. The team began with a river cleanup along Sungai Air Itam, collaborating closely with local councillors and community leaders to remove trash and pollutants from the riverbank. Their shared efforts helped improve water quality and brought visibility to environmental stewardship within the urban landscape.
Following the cleanup, volunteers shifted focus to the Crystal Family Home, an orphanage caring for children aged 9 to 18. Staff members painted walls, repaired furniture, and refreshed the living spaces—creating a more welcoming and supportive environment for the residents. A representative from the orphanage said the initiative “showed the children they are loved and cared for beyond financial donations”.
Senior leaders, including Sophie Mougel (Vice President, Strategy & Regional GM for the Philippines and Malaysia) and Mondi Mecja (Country GM, Malaysia), participated alongside staff—reinforcing the message that CSR is rooted in leadership by example. The presence of local policymaker YB Joseph Ng added further community resonance, especially when he expressed hopes of involving local schools in future efforts.
This initiative exemplifies how structured CSR programs—combining environmental action with social care—can bring dual benefits. Cleaning a river reinforces eco-awareness and local pride, while renovating the orphanage offers tangible, emotional support to vulnerable children. By involving employees across roles and locations, Citadines underscores how hands-on participation fosters team unity and meaningful community connections.
Such efforts highlight a forward-looking CSR approach. Citadines Penang’s initiative goes beyond a single event—it demonstrates how property groups and hospitality brands can embed sustainability and social responsibility into their organisational culture, inspire local collaboration, positively impact urban communities.
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