Kids’ home receives RM30,000
Owning three-storey building is close, thanks to Star Foundation
Generous donation: Committee members and several children of Rapha Children’s Home posing for a picture after receiving a mock cheque from The Star journalist Ong Han Sean (centre). Looking on are Wong (fourth from left, standing) and Tee (to Ong’s right).
KUANTAN: The Rapha Children’s Home here, a refuge for underprivileged children, plans to build a new block to provide a more conducive environment for the young ones.
The proposed three-storey building will have dormitories to accommodate more than 100 boys and girls, a library, prayer room, computer room and office, said the home’s chairman Alex Chow.
“We acquired the land two years ago and are in the process of raising RM1mil needed for the new building.
“Right now, there are 35 children at the home and it is a bit crowded since some of the staff also stay there,” he said.
Chow is thankful the home has been chosen to receive a RM30,000 contribution from Star Foundation.
“This is the first time we have received such a huge donation from Star Foundation and we really appreciate it.
“The donation will definitely help us get closer to our goal of getting that new building. We hope it can kick-start the construction earlier,” he said here yesterday.
Star Foundation was set up in 2004. It is the charitable arm of Star Media Group.
Another local NGO that received RM20,000 from the Foundation was Pertubuhan Komuniti Harap Kuantan.
Its chairman Yvonn Chan said the donation would be used to fund its Goodtime English programme, which offers free English language tutoring for underprivileged children.
“We want to encourage the next generation to speak English not only in an academic sense but to learn how to think and express themselves as well,” she said.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai’s special assistant Datuk Andrew Wong, who was present at the cheque presentation ceremony, commended Star Foundation for its generosity.
“These NGOs need all the support it can get and I hope this great example of charity will get more companies to contribute towards the continued running of these organisations,” said Wong.
Also present was Kuantan MCA Wanita chief Tee Choon Ser, who is no stranger to community work.
“This donation from Star Foundation is just in time to spread some happiness for the upcoming Chinese New Year. On our part, I will continue to seek support for these organisations and recommend them to corporations that wish to contribute products or cash assistance,” said Tee.
