The “Container House,” an eco-friendly building designed by Paul Penders

Sometimes “giving back” can actually be lots of fun! Paul Penders Company is always on the lookout for worthy projects to support, preferring ones that are directly verifiable and make a real difference to a community. We take the concept of “CSR” (corporate social responsibility) very seriously but we also like to have fun!

That’s why Paul Penders Company has decided to dedicate the recently completed “Container House” as a new home for not-for-profit activities on the island of Langkawi. Built from 17 shipping containers and designed by Paul, the house overlooks a spectacular harbor view and holds both large meeting rooms, exercise areas, a near-professional kitchen, and apartments upstairs. It can be a great home for cultural and educational activities and events.

This beautiful tropical island is so filled with a rich biodiversity of plants and animals that UNESCO has designated it a “Geopark,” the first in Malaysia. To the many natural attractions, with the growth of tourism, there is also a growing cultural life. Container House has the potential to become a great addition to the scene, where island visitors and residents alike can gather for educational and cultural programs.

A wonderful team of volunteers from the island and as far away as Spain, Scotland, and Belgium worked for more than a month to prepare the Container House for its first event.

In June, Paul, Bas, and I all attended the “Launch” of an exciting new project to take place at Container House. Called “REVITACURA,” it is the brainchild of Captain Eva Zimmermann. At the open house party, presentations explained this new program will help people lose weight and live a healthy lifestyle. Chef Jez, an expert on preparing wonderful raw foods specialties, with the help of lots of volunteers turned out a spectacular healthy lunch. Presentations about the plans for Revitacura and the need to address the growing problems with obesity and overweight were highlights of the day. It was truly a day to celebrate!

Capt. Eva Zimmermann skippers the Damai Indah cruises and makes every trip a celebration!

Capt. Eva is deeply concerned about the health of young people here in Asia. She knows what a poor diet can do. For years, she suffered from joint pains, fatigue and other symptoms. It wasn’t until she and her husband Gerd embarked on a 5-year cruise around the world’s oceans that she learned the benefits of eating fresh, raw foods. She recovered her health and is now one of the most energetic and enthusiastic people you could ever meet. We’ve cruised with her on her lovely wooden ships imported from Indonesia that ply Langkawi’s waters and helped her in her captain’s role bless honeymooners with rose petals.

One of the first Revitacura projects to take place at Container House will be “break the fast” dinners for the month of Ramadhan, an important holiday in Malaysia which falls this year from July 21st to August 19th. With the guidance of medical doctor and herbal expert Dr. Ghani and others, plans are underway to create healthy recipes based on traditional Malaysian foods. The dinners will also include educational lectures for Muslims and non-Muslims alike on how best to fast and stay healthy.

Pretty soon it looks like the Container House is going to be jumping with diet and exercise classes, meditation groups, and volunteers working to grow natural foods in the gardens, learning how to prepare healthy meals and to compost. Arts and cultural programs are also in the works to feed the mind as well as the body, and environmental awareness programs to inspire people to give back to our beautiful island and the planet.

All this fun stuff will be going on just steps away from the main Langkawi island offices of the Paul Penders Company.

Other “CSR” projects that the company continues to support on Langkawi include a vegetarian restaurant where the needy can eat for free and an animal clinic that offers free spay and neutering for island animals. Over on Penang island, we support an organization that cares for stray dogs, a huge problem throughout Asia. Combining education, arts and culture, we plan to host a visit this September by the distinguished American classical pianist, Gary Goldschneider. Island musicians and music lovers will get to meet him personally at the Container House – a rare treat to meet a world class performer!

As our website says, “Paul Penders Company is doing something that also makes a real difference, and, in our immediate community.”

By Teviot Fairservis.


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