Helping the less fortunate
QUALITY pre-school education is essential to develop holistic children with good command of languages and strong interpersonal and intrapersonal skills.
Raja Muda of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Ibni Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail said it was important to start nurturing a child’s emotions, language, social skills and intellect from as young as four.
“By starting early, children can be moulded to be more positive and proficient when entering primary schools.
“To attract these children to go to schools, preschools must tailor their subjects to be fun and exciting,” he said at the Smart Reader Worldwide’s National One Child One Hope scholarship presentation ceremony at the Perlis Correctional Centre in Arau, Perlis, recently.
The scholarship programme, which aims to help educate underprivileged children in Perlis, has hit its seven-year mark this year.
The annual event saw 25 children from Smart Reader Kids Jalan Arau-Kodiang and Smart Reader Kids Taman Bahagia, Kangar, receiving scholarships worth RM150,000.
The scholarships were presented to Tuanku Syed Faizuddin, who is also the chairman of Yayasan Tuanku Syed Putra by Smart Reader Worldwide chief executive officer Datuk Seri Dr Richard Ong.
The event was also graced by Raja Puan Muda of Perlis Tuanku Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil and Smart Reader Worldwide group executive director Datin Seri Datuk Dr K.H. Wang.
Some 200 guests, including state government officials, Yayasan Tuanku Syed Putra representatives, Smart Reader Worldwide management and Smart Reader Kids teachers and students attended the event.
Also present were Smart Reader Kids Abu Dhabi franchisees Rasheed Abdulla Rasheed Saeed Al-Dhahri and Mohd Sameer Mohd Samir Al-Lotri.
The National One Child One Hope scholarship programme’s committee works closely with Smart Reader Kids centres in Perlis and Yayasan Tuanku Syed Putra to identify deserving recipients.
Since its inception in 2009, the programme has helped almost 400 less fortunate children across the country, regardless of race, creed or background.
Beginning last year, part of the scholarship has been allocated for the Smart Tadris programme launched by Smart Reader Worldwide to provide Islamic education to children as young as three.
This year, 10 out of the 25 scholarships presented in Perlis have been allotted for the Smart Tadris programme and the remaining 15 will be given out to Smart Reader Kids classic students.
Dr Ong said the scholarship will be used to cover school fees and cost of uniforms, books and other reading materials.
During the event, students from Smart Reader Kids Jalan ArauKodiang and Smart Reader Kids Taman Bahagia, Kangar, entertained the attendees with performances.
The highlight of the day was the Smart Reader Worldwide’s exclusive Bobo, The Bear demonstration.
Some 30 students took to the stage and dressed up Bobo, The Bear according to their creativity, followed by a special dance by the students and mart Reader Worldwide staff members.
The National One Child One Hope programme is one of the many initiatives of Smart Reader Worldwide and Association of Professional Early Childhood Providers Malaysia to help children from all walks of life to receive the education that they deserve.
Founded in December 2007, the Association of Professional Early Childhood Providers Malaysia provides a platform to share ideas, innovation and new research in Early Childhood Education.
Tuanku Lailatul Shahreen currently serves as its royal patron.
For details, call Smart Reader Worldwide at 03-6279 5555 or SmartLine at 1300 885 555. Visit
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Method: 1) The lid Turn your fabric scrap on the table, wrong side up. Lay the lid on top of it, and with the sewing chalk, draw a circle around the lid, leaving a 2cm gap.
Cut out the circle from the fabric, and lay it over the top of the lid, pretty side up. Tuck the 2cm flap inside the lid. When it looks neat, dot with glue to keep in place and leave to dry. Note: the glue will show through the fabric, so only use it on the inside of the lid.
2) The jar Apply a thin layer of glue to the outside of the jar. Sprinkle with glitter. Tip: for multi-coloured layers, paint one section of the jar with glue, sprinkle glitter, let dry, then repeat as much as you wish. When it’s dry, stick on some rhinestones and set jar aside to dry for several hours.
3) Finishing touches Tie a ribbon in a pretty bow around the top, then dot with glue, and place the last rhinestone on the bow. Let it dry, and voila, a gorgeous fairy candy jar.