Yeow (second from right) and Ong (centre) receiving mock cheques from representatives of donors, namely Kong Long Huat Chemicals Sdn Bhd executive director Richard Heng (left) and Mitraland Group founder and group chief executive officer Chuah (right), as well as Lions Club of Kuantan immediate past president Avelyn Pang (second from left) who made a personal contribution.
LIONS Education Foundation (LEF) raised about RM1mil at its 11th anniversary fundraising dinner.
The money will be put into LEF’s Lions Education Assistance for the Needy (Learn) Fund to help tertiary students who are facing financial difficulties to complete their studies.
LEF chairman Datuk Yeow Wah Chin said the Learn Fund had disbursed RM1,308,300 to 82 students in various disciplines from local colleges and universities since its inception in 2011.
He said many university students from underprivileged families would continue to benefit from the fund.
“The foundation was started after learning about the plight of a girl in Muar, Johor, whose family could not afford her flight ticket when she got a spot to study in Universiti Malaysia Sarawak.
“It used to be common for parents to not be able to afford many things for their families.
“But it is sad to know that such dire financial constraints exist today,” he said.
Yeow (seventh from right), accompanied by LEF trustees and Lions Clubs International District 308B1 leaders, cutting LEF’s 11th anniversary cake at the foundation’s fundraising dinner in Kuala Lumpur.
Yeow said LEF believes that poor students with average results also deserve a chance to further their studies so that they can earn a decent living upon graduation.
He said 45 of their beneficiaries had graduated and gained employment.
“They are financially independent and able to improve their families’ quality of life.
“We will continue to reach out to as many poor students as our funds can possibly stretch, to break the vicious cycle of poverty,” he said.
LEF trustee Chuah Theong Yee said the committee had been diligent in ensuring that the funds went to deserving students and had followed up to make sure that the disbursements were made in a timely manner.
He said the committee members had sacrificed their weekends and public holidays to conduct interviews with potential candidates and their families.
“I think the committee members know that many students depend on them for advice and financial support.
“Their humanitarian efforts and determination to champion the cause is admirable,” he said.
Over 500 people – comprising Lions Clubs International District 308B1 members, supporters and their families, as well as beneficiaries – were present at the dinner held at HGH Convention Centre in Sentul, Kuala Lumpur.
During the event, LEF adviser Wong Seng Chong launched his memoir titled Bend with the Wind, Flow with the Tide – Life Lessons on Adversity.
The book gives an insight into the challenges Wong faced when caring for his ill daughter until her passing, and his late wife who succumbed to Parkinson’s disease.
All proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to LEF.
Lions Clubs International District 308B1 district governor Dorothy Ong said education was one of their many areas of concern.
“This is a very meaningful initiative and it needs a lot of funds.
“We need generous donors to help more students and create an impact in their lives.
“We should not deprive them of an education because for a country to prosper, education needs to come first,” she said.
