A total of 2,533 primary pupils in Sabah benefited from the Forces of Love for Educare 2022 programme.

A TOTAL of 2,533 poor primary school pupils in Penampang, Pensiangan, Nabawan, Keningau, Kudat and Kota Belud in Sabah received school essentials and food items as part of the Forces of Love for Educare 2022 programme.

A collaboration between the Education Ministry and Forces of Love (FOL), the items including school uniform, shoes and socks, bag, raincoat, books, dictionary, stationery, geometry set as well as food container and tumbler worth RM150 per set were distributed in three phases.

Twenty-two schools with pupils from families with an average household income of below RM800 per month were selected by the ministry.

SK Babalitan headmaster Udin Lemin said 95% of the school pupils were from the B40 group.

“Their parents do not have a fixed income and most of them are under the eKasih system.

“Absenteeism is extremely high, and the school is accessible only on foot and by boat.

“We hope such help can be provided annually and expanded to include other forms such as repairs and upgrades, as well as the setting up of a solar electricity system because the school runs on generators.”

Pensiangan district education officer Ipisus Sumbiling said the programme rewarded pupils with a high attendance.

“Receiving the items from schoolteachers will motivate the pupils to go to school daily,” he said.

Different age groups were given different sets of items based on their needs.

Sabah Education Department (Education Operation–School Management Division) deputy director Abidin Marjan said 70% of schools in Sabah were located in the interior.

“Direct distribution of the aid to these areas is truly a commendable effort.

“FOL for Educare is jointly organised by the district education office (PPD) and Sabah Education Department under the School Management Division.

“I hope it can be expanded in the near future with the involvement of other PPD and Sabah Education Department.

“I would like to thank donors, volunteers and everyone who had contributed towards the programme.

“I welcome collaboration on future programmes in Sabah for similar activities.”

FOL national project director Goh Chong Meng said the programme was aptly named “Nabawan Challenge” as a majority of the schools are located in Sabah’s interior bordering Indonesia.

“This project is our toughest due to road conditions.

“We are thankful for the team of dedicated volunteers led by our Sabah Chapter head Then Chun Tak as well as Ong Khye Ching in ensuring a smooth distribution.

“We would also like to thank Keningau Buddhist Society and Kudat Buddhist Association for providing ground support including storage,” he added.

Goh said the terrain was extremely difficult to navigate, especially during the rainy season as most of the schools did not have accessible roads.

“We hope other organisations and individuals will contribute towards similar projects in assisting the children of Sabah,” he said.

The total cost of the project exceeded RM350,000, inclusive of items, shipping and logistics.

Volunteers paid for their own food, accommodation, lodging, flights as well as land and boat transportation.

The outreach programme started in 2014 with a single school – SK Moyog in Penampang – which benefited 200 children.

All donations and enquiries on projects in Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia can be directed to 016-888 7378/tct3113@gmail.com (Then Chun Tak), or 012-283 8197/cmgoh6139@gmail.com (Goh Chong Meng).

Tags / Keywords: poor primary school pupils , Penampang , Pensiangan , Nabawan , Keningau , Kudat , Kota Belud ,

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