Petron employees promote children’s literacy at Tawau school
TAWAU: Petron Malaysia’s employee Volunteerism In Action (VIA) group held a fun and interactive reading session for the students of Sekolah Kebangsaan Bandar Tawau Sabah with Petron’s ‘Give A Kid A Book’ program.
The headmaster of SK Bandar Tawau, Tuan Haji Chumi Bin Angan was presented with a set of 50 new English storybooks suitable for primary school children, which was funded through contributions from Petron employees.
Seated in small groups, volunteers read to 30 primary students from year one to three during the program at the school.
“As we move towards a globalized economy, the urgency for English literacy as a communication tool is now more demanding than ever. This is our small step to help our young generation in improving English literacy and most importantly, instilling a culture of reading. Through Petron’s Give A Kid A Book program, we hope to get the children to be more involved in the reading process in a light, fun manner, especially among undeserved communities,” said Zaimi Harun, Petron Malaysia Head of Corporate Affairs.
This is the second ‘Give A Kid A Book’ program that the group organized this year. The program aims to spread childhood literacy by presenting books for children and providing better access to reading materials.
Earlier in Pahang, Petron’s VIA carried out the reading program for 34 students of Rumah Anak Yatim & Fakir Miskin, Baitul Husna in Kuantan. To date, volunteers have contributed 100 English storybooks.
“One of the best ways to develop children’s literacy is to encourage them to read at school and at home. Thus, we hope the children will have sufficient reading materials at hand, which will help them gain stronger vocabulary and command of language as well as promote creative imagination. We hope to reach as many underprivileged children as possible and encourage them to read English. By providing access to new, fun and colorful reading materials that cater to their reading literacy level, we wish to inspire and make a difference in their lives,” added Zaimi.
The Give A Kid A Book program aims to motivate children to read in English by providing them with new books. The storybooks were either funded or purchased by Petron Malaysia staff. The employees also helped organized a reading session for the children.