Eco World Foundation raises RM6.8m to help needy students
KUALA LUMPUR: Despite an economic slowdown, Eco World Foundation raised RM6,803,300 this year to support its Students Aid Programme (SAP), said foundation chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
It set a new record over the RM6.4 million raised last year.
As a main programme run by the foundation, SAP offers financial assistance to 3,037 students — 2,600 primary school pupils, 400 secondary school students and 37 tertiary level students.
Lee said with a budget of RM5 million per year, SAP sought to address financial difficulties faced by students who came from needy families.
“We began supporting pupils onwards from primary schools so that we can monitor their progress and follow through until they graduate from their tertiary studies.
“We feel this is the best way to ensure that aid channelled to these students do not stray from the programme’s goal.
“In the programme, we pay their school tuition fees and necessities, including meals, during a school year.
“Students who achieve good results in their Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah examinations can apply for continuation in the SAP for their secondary and tertiary education,” he said.
Lee said that the 17 students SAP had been supporting since primary school had graduated from universities and secured jobs of their choice and qualifications.
“It is our practice to not re quire students who graduated with SAP aid to work with Eco World.
“We have allowed them the freedom to pursue their dreams and careers.”
Apart from SAP, Lee said the foundation had last year embarked on a new three-year pilot programme to help rural and low-performing schools in Sarawak.
“We started this initiative with three schools, SK Temong (163 students), SK Sejijag (46 students) and SK Sungan (40 students).
“We hope to improve the academic performance and physical condition of schools by providing new furniture, computers and books.”
He had also thanked donors during an appreciation luncheon, and acknowledged contributors, which included Eco World Development Group Berhad chairman Tan Sri Liew Kee Sin.