Students of SMK St. Columba Miri show they care

Students of SMK St. Columba Miri, one of the oldest schools in Sarawak, have shown that they care for the less fortunate, including fellow students in the Telang Usan constituency who were badly affected by flood last month.

Yesterday, a prefect Bong Lu Jing on behalf of the school’s 1,270 students presented a donation to Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau after he declared open the school’s 62nd Annual Athletics Meet.

Among those present were Ustaz Awangku Zulkarnain Ayub, who represented the Miri district education officer; Assistant Bishop of Kuching Diocese and Vicar of St. Columba, Right Reverend Solomon Cheong; chairman of the School’s board Hurbert Horton Kelong, chairman of the school’s ParentTeacher Association Karambir Singh and the school principal Subah Nyareng.

When met by reporters later, Dennis said he was completely taken by surprise by the kind gesture of the students who presented him with a cheque amounting to RM1,488.25.

“What amazed me is that despite studying in a better school and having all the comfort, they have a big heart for communities who need help.

“Of course some of the students have their roots in Telang Usan and that makes it all special to receive the contribution, doesn’t matter the amount. The adults could learn from these kind hearted kids,” said Dennis.

Dennis thanked the school management and the students who took the trouble to pass the hat around to collect the money.

On the recent flood, Dennis said it was the worst in recent times, with SK Long Sobeng the worst affected, adding other schools affected were SK Long Loyang, Long Loteng, Long Panai, Long Wat, Long Atip and Long Ikang with total student population of about 500.

“The worst affected was SK Long Sobeng which suffered massive damage with flood water level up to the roof top of the twostorey school building,” he said.

He added that the flood water came suddenly and within less than an hour the school building was submerged by the flood water.

They only managed to salvage some electrical equipment and computers, while quite a number of furniture such as chairs and tables and blackboard were badly damaged, he elaborated.

Asked further by The Borneo Post, Dennis said so far there was no financial help from the government yet to repair the damage or assistance to the students, adding only Yayasan Sarawak had come to the aid of the school when it donated RM10,000 to the school on March 23.“The affected schools have submitted their reports through the Marudi Education Office and so far I have not received or heard of any help being given.

“But I believe that the Education Department is processing it.

“I urge them to expedite the process so that there is no interruption in learning and teaching,” said Dennis.