For a bright future: Kuan (standing, sixth from right) and Kong (on his left) at the handover of the laptops to Jaz Home during the Star Foundation event. — RONNIE CHIN/The Star
TELUK INTAN: With 13 new laptops courtesy of the Star Foundation, the children at the Pertubuhan Kebajikan Anak-Anak Yatim Jaz welfare home (Jaz Home) will no longer need to share their eight existing computers.
Jaz Home chairman Kong Sun Chin said the new laptops, which arrived last Saturday, would significantly enhance the children’s educational experience.
Previously, the children at the home were using four second- hand computers and four old laptops donated by the public, taking turns for their studies and revision.
“We are thankful to the Star Foundation for this generous donation. We hope these new laptops will encourage the children to do well for their future,” Kong said at the presentation ceremony witnessed by Star Media Group deputy chairman Tan Sri Kuan Peng Soon, who sits on the foundation’s board of trustees, on Monday.
Kong emphasised the home’s commitment to the children’s education and future opportunities.
“We strive to provide a supportive environment so that the children can succeed academically and attend higher education institutions. If they are unable to, they can still go for vocational schooling,” he added.
Kong stressed the importance of helping the children become independent and prepared for the workforce.
The home currently houses 44 children aged between seven and 23, including three with disabilities.
Additionally, Kong mentioned the home’s need for a new 14-seater van.
“We have one that was donated to us about 10 years ago and it now breaks down frequently.
“The repair and maintenance costs are eating into our finances, so we hope to get sponsorship for a new van,” he said.
The home’s monthly expenses, which total about RM55,000, cover the children’s educational needs, transportation, tuition and utility bills.
The home, Kong said, also receives about RM40,000 from the Social Welfare Department but public donations, which are decreasing due to the slow economy, are crucial for the home’s sustainability.
Star Foundation corporate communication and social impact senior manager Christine Wong said this was the foundation’s second contribution to Jaz Home, with the first being in 2017.
“We want to give back to the community and the home reached out to us with a request to help the children,” she said.
Wong said the new laptops, valued at around RM16,257, will help address the issue of insufficient computers hindering the children’s education.
Star Foundation, the charitable arm of Star Media Group, aims to deliver meaningful initiatives with lasting outcomes to diverse groups of beneficiaries.
Jaz Home is one of the non-governmental organisations selected under the foundation’s Supporting NGOs programme.
For more information, visit starfoundation.com.my.
