Persatuan Guru Dharma organised the back-to-school programme at a multipurpose hall in Shah Alam.
AHEAD of each school year, one charity never fails to attend to the needs of poor students.
This year, the beneficiaries were 32 students, a majority of whom were from Kampung Kebun Bunga in Shah Alam, Selangor.
Each student received two sets of school uniforms, a pair of school shoes and socks, school bag and stationery, among others, at the back-to-school programme held at the Kampung Kebun Bunga multipurpose hall.
Persatuan Guru Dharma functions as the intermediary between donors and the underprivileged.
In 2009, the society started its annual back-to-school programme.
Its president Supriya Prasannan said the programme had its start when a donor approached the organisation with the intention of supporting education-related activities.
“The donor came from a poor background and had successfully broken out of the cycle of poverty.
“The donor wanted to ensure that other poor children had access to education.
“Now, we have a range of donors helping to make the programme a reality every year,” she said.
Also present was Batu Tiga assemblyman Danial Al-Rashid.
Supriya said the society’s goal was to ensure every child had the basic necessities to attend school comfortably.
“Some parents struggle to provide new school uniforms and shoes for their growing children.
“As a result, these children may feel embarrassed to wear old, worn-out or ill-fitting clothes.
“This can make them feel demotivated, which can be detrimental to their well-being and affect their studies.
“With their basic school necessities met, at least there is one less problem for these children.”
Supriya said the programme also featured motivational talks, for both parents and students, led by expert trainers.
“Parents learned how to encourage their children to perform better while the children were taught how to set goals and find ways to motivate themselves.
“We also provide monthly provisions for 25 families and periodically run mobile clinics and visit old folks’ homes,” she said.
