IF BUYING new school uniforms and supplies for your children feels heavy on the wallet, imagine catering to the needs of 32 kids.
For RV Krishnan, who runs the Arutjyothi Vallalar Mandram, an orphanage and welfare association in Sungai Petani, this is an annual task – to ensure the children under his care have uniforms, shoes and supplies needed for the new school term.
So, it was a blessing that a charity programme enabled him to bring along 15 of the children to Penang for their much-needed school supplies.
“Some of them are orphans while others come from broken homes, so they are dependent on us and live at the home.
“They grow so fast that sometimes, even three sets of uniforms do not last long and we have to find ways to get new clothing even in the middle of the year,” he said at the Back-to-School charity programme organised by Penang Hindu Association and Derma Sivasanta Clinic.
It was held at the clinic on River Road, George Town.
Krishnan said it was the second time the orphanage had attended the event.
“We rely on the public as well as non-governmental organisations.
“We cannot afford to buy new school supplies for all of the children, but we want them to have the opportunity to use new clothes and stationery when the new school year begins.
“Events like this make it possible for us to do so,” he said, adding that the 32 children in the home are aged between four and 17.
Penang Hindu Association president Datuk P. Murugiah said the back-to-school charity event started more than 25 years ago.
“We gave out school uniforms, school bags, shoes, socks and stationery to 120 children this year from primary and secondary schools in Penang and Kedah.
“It is our way of helping underprivileged children stay in school and not feel excluded because they cannot afford school supplies.
“We do not want them to feel left out due to their financial situation.”
Murugiah said the association raised funds from the public and Penang Island City Council (MBPP) also sponsored some of the school uniforms.
“The items cost us more than RM150 for each child, amounting to over RM18,000.
“We also gave away 70 pairs of spectacles,” he added.
The event was attended by Sungai Pinang assemblyman Lim Siew Khim and MBPP councillor Nicholas Theng.
