BPHB treats 150 children to ‘back-to-school’ shopping spree
BINTULU: A total of 150 children from Jepak and Kuala Tatau were taken on a ‘ back-to- school’ shopping spree yesterday by Bintulu Port Holdings Berhad ( BPHB) under its corporate social responsibility ( CSR) programme.
The children who were accompanied by 32 guardians and staff of BPHB, each picked out RM200 to RM250 worth of school items at a local supermarket here.
The children were later treated to a scrumptious lunch at a leading hotel after the shopping spree.
BPHB Group Corporate Services senior manager Maslihah Tioh said the company has been organising the programme successfully for the past two years.
“This is our third year having this back-to- school programme especially for the eligible children and this year we are targeting the children of our local fishermen and selected pupils from a primary school in Kuala Tatau,” she said.
According to Maslihah, even though it was just a small assistance, it could help to ease the burden of their parents to prepare them for the school session next year.
“As the cost of living and the prices of goods are increasing I believe this assistance could at least assist these parents financially,” she added.
She hinted that BPHB would be organising a similar programme next year on a much bigger scale with the same objective to assist the needy families.
“I cannot promise this to you but it is our responsibility to highlight this need to our top management for consideration and implementation,” said Maslihah.
In the meantime, she urged the children to study hard and focus on their studies because education could be the catalyst to pull families and communities out of the cycle of poverty.
She added knowledge gives children the power to dream of a better future.
Meanwhile Bintulu Area Fishermen Association chairman Jumat Brahim thanked BPHB for choosing the association’s children for this year’s programme.
“I believe this is a historic day for our members, with the spirit and strong support and cooperation I would like to thank BPHB and senior management officers for your tremendous effort in organising the programme.
“I also hope this would not be the first or the last programme, this is just a beginning of more collaboration between BPHB and our association in many more activities that can contribute to the growth of our local fishermen and uplift their living standard,” said Jumat.
Head of Kpg Hj Ismail Kuala Tatau Haliza Mudin on the other hand was touched with the great concern showed by BPHB to the wellbeing of the less fortunate families in her area.
“The children were excited for the back-to- school shopping spree and along the way here, they keep on asking me who is BPHB, I said you will know once we reach the town, I am also excited, as a mother and a teacher for these children we are blessed to be selected,” said Haliza.