Infested with termites and falling apart

(From left) Astro radio sales general manager Ng Yau Hoe, Eric Chiu, Eu Yan Sang Malaysia chairman Datuk Anne Eu, Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching, SJK(C) Manong PTA chairman Cheow Woan Ping, SJK(C) Manong principal Chua Lee Sun and Eu Yan Sang One Year, One School spokesman Sam Mak at the launch of the One Year, One School charity project at SJK(C) Manong, Perak.

SJK(C) Manong in Perak is in urgent need of funds for reconstruction, as it has been falling apart due to termite infestation.

For more than half a century, the school has been grappling with the pest problem which has caused structural damage.

Affected areas include the school assembly hall, classrooms, science laboratory and the parking lot.

The ceilings and beams had given way before, placing the safety of pupils and teachers at risk.

Due to insufficient classrooms, four classes are still being conducted in the crumbling building, to the extent that two of the classes have to be combined into one classroom.

Earlier this year, the assembly hall suffered further damage caused by heavy rain, which forced the school authorities to seal off the area.

The school also has to deal with the collapse of the fence around the premises.

Eu Yan Sang has come to the school’s aid and is raising funds for repairs under the health company’s annual One Year, One School charity project.

SJK(C) Manong is the 14th school that Eu Yan Sang has helped since its charity project was launched in 2005.

Eu Yan Sang managing director Eric Chiu said education is of utmost importance as it is the foundation of the community and country.

“The One Year, One School charity drive is part of Eu Yan Sang’s corporate social responsibility based on the company’s core principles of ‘caring for mankind’ and ‘giving back to society’,” he said.

For SJK(C) Manong, the plan is to demolish the old structure and build a new block that houses five classrooms.

The school also hopes to have enough funding for computers in classrooms to conduct lessons.

Eu Yan Sang will raise funds via the sale of its Chicken Essence with Gingko Biloba Extract product.

Donors can issue cheques payable to Tabung Pembangunan SJK(C) Manong and drop them in the One Year, One School donation box at any Eu Yan Sang outlet.

The fundraising campaign ends on Nov 18.