People believe that technology will one day take over the world, just like how computers had replaced typewriters, and soon, automobiles will replace trishaws in Georgetown, Penang. We  then saw the importance and significance of trishaws as a cultural heritage and the need to preserve them.

Trishaws were once a ubiquitous mode of transport but are currently facing a risk of disappearance due to urban development in Georgetown, Penang.

There are barely 150 trishaws left in the whole of Penang as riders quit to seek easier jobs as security guards.

(Source : TheMalayMailOnline)

For the homeless trishaw riders, their trishaw has always been their home + source of income. Around 90% of the trishaws seen on the street are poorly-maintained (old & unhygienic). 

3Shaw aims to rebrand the trishaw industry through Penang tourism by developing an efficient and effective trishaw transportation system to create a better livelihood for the homeless trishaw riders. And is currently collaborating with Penang Institute (Back to Beca Project).

Article on "Back to Beca" Project :

• http://www.themalaymailonline.com/print/malaysia/penang-institutes-back-to-beca-project-out-to-safeguard-the-trade
• http://penanginstitute.org/v3/media-centre/penang-institute-in-the-news/930-rm1500
• http://penanginstitute.org/v3/media-centre/penang-institute-in-the-news/862-penang-institute-s-back-to-beca-project-out-to-safeguard-the-trade

Our only source of fund is the prize money from iM4U Project-Pitching Competition as first runner-up. External funding is much needed for 3Shaw Project as it's a non-profit-generating project. Crowdfunds collected will be channelled into :

1. (Long-term benefits) Trishaw spareparts for repairing and renewal (p.s. trishaw spareparts are monopolized by only a few foreman in Penang & is costly).

•     targetted ~100 trishaws ( Min. expenditure estimated : RM2000 ) ; Though depending on the type of spare parts used.

      2. (Short-term benefits) Street feeding the homeless trishaw riders. 

•      targetted ~80 homeless trishaw uncles ( Food&Beverage ~RM3/pax = ~RM240 per event)

**Cost abv is estimated based on minimum expenditure**

Sometimes, they can sit here the whole day and not get a single customer.

Mr. Koay Beng Hong, Tishaw Manager

 

Past Activities :

Penang Trishaw Exhibition @ Prangin Mall, Georgetown, Penang

Trishaw Refurbishment for Penang Trishaw Exhibition 

Streetfeeding for homeless trishaw riders @ Georgetown

3Shaw Project Timeline

Problem that we foresee before the execution of 3Shaw project is the public’s perception towards trishaw riders. In recent years, locals stopped opting for a trishaw ride as they charge at an overly-expensive rate and most of the trishaws are seen to be unhygienic. All these problems led to only one reason, simply because the trishaw riders in Georgetown are mostly homeless.