Non-governmental organisation (NGO) Insaf Malaysia has revived its After-School Club – an initiative that addresses underprivileged children missing out on activities beyond the school hours.
Insaf Malaysia president and founder Ishak Abdul Kadir said the club had carried out activities since October last year, comprising art, music, self-defence, sports classes as well as counselling sessions which primary school pupils were free to join.
Starting from today, the club will hold classes on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Insaf Kuala Lumpur community centre, while classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays will held be at its Seputeh centre.
“Once morning school finishes, the children can visit the centres for their meals before participating in activities starting at 2.30pm.
“This way, the three to four hours that they would have otherwise spent at home would not be wasted,” Ishak said at the NGO’s Hari Raya event for the less fortunate.
Fourteen orphanages and a senior citizens home participated in the lively, multi-racial celebration attended by Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, wife of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“Having communities from different backgrounds is a good way of celebrating each other’s culture,” said Dr Wan Azizah.
“The Aidilfitri spirit is about sharing, after all,” she added.
Ishak said the event marked the NGO’s first Raya celebration after three years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I missed the children and I am glad that my wish to celebrate with them has been granted today.
“We must use this opportunity to strengthen our friendships and forgive each other,” said Ishak.
Performances by the children made the event all the more enjoyable and colourful.
The young ones from Rumah Raudhatul Al-Faeez took guests back in time by singing the late Datuk Sudirman Arshad’s classic Raya tune Balik Kampung.
Meanwhile, Pusat Jagaan Nurhati brightened it up with Alamak Raya Lagi! by De Fam, a trending hit this Raya.
Meanwhile, After-School Club founder Adam Ishak said the programme prioritised orphans and children from disadvantaged families.
“We want to provide opportunities to the less fortunate.
“The club is a safe, guarded environment for the children to actively gain creative skills and express their concerns that they may not be able to do anywhere else,” said Adam.
He said he hoped the club would be a platform to encourage the children to dream big and work towards their goals.
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