Children performing at the opening of the learning centre while (from right) Oliveira, Amaralise and Elan (standing) look on.
FIFTEEN months of dedicated service by the volunteers from the One Community Social, Moral and Educational Organisation has paid off.
Their efforts to provide literacy lessons for underprivileged children has received international recognition from Lions International.
Its president Fabriciio Oliveira visited the One Community centre at the Palma low-cost flats in Bandar Botanic, Klang to open the One Community Lions Learning Centre (OCLLC).
The Brazilian’s visit also emphasised the club’s commitment to participate and collaborate in the programme.
Present at the event were District Governor (District 308 B2) Malaysia Don Hoe Chin Aik, immediate past District Governor Dr Alan Thoo, Lions club members and volunteers.
The children from the educational programme performed two songs before Oliveira opened the centre.
The audience, including Oliveira’s wife Amaralise, was touched by the children’s performance of a song that depicted their learning experience within the community as well as crowd favourite Rasa Sayang and their own poems.
Dr Thoo (second from left) presenting a token of appreciation to Oliveira while Elan (second right) and Hoe look on.
In his speech, Oliveira commended the Selangor Lions for supporting this initiative.
“This is a quintessential example of our motto, ‘We serve and where there is a need, there is a Lion.
“I think the One Community organisation is doing a wonderful job in its noble initiative to offer literacy lessons to the children here.
“I hope the Lions will be able to continue to offer a greater level of support to the organisation,” he said through an interpreter.
Oliveira also took the opportunity to interact with the children and encouraged them to persevere in their studies and aspire to give back to the community in the future.
“You must study very hard and return the favour later,” he added.
Dr Thoo, who is also OCLLC fundraising chairman, said volunteers from One Community Organisation faced many challenges, including a lack of finance.
Inspired by their efforts, he added that Lions club members, who visited the centre earlier, raised RM25,000 in a few weeks for the initiative.
Dr Thoo said the funds were used to cover rental and basic fixtures and fittings such as tables, chairs, cabinets and curtains for the learning centre.
“The volunteers were teaching in a very difficult environment.
“We wanted them to have a more comfortable setting,” he added.
One Community Organisation founder and OCLLC head Elan Perumal said Oliveira’s visit was not only historical, but also marked a new milestone in the organisation’s struggle in transforming the lives of needy children from Palma.
He said the Lions’ involvement also served as recognition for the dedicated volunteers who had been toiling since June 1, 2023.
“Our volunteers are driven by sincere desire and passion to teach literacy among the children,” he added.
