Back to School Projects
Inner Wheel Club of Alor Setar
17 March 2022
What could be more rewarding than seeing children jump for joy and squeal with delight? Probably nothing. Members of IWC AS had the pleasure of witnessing such a scene when 10 children of the Chung Hwa Primary School in Jitra, Kedah, were each presented with a brand new school bag containing essential school items as well as an ‘ang pow’ on 17 March 2022.
It had come to the knowledge of Club members that many parents were facing difficulties to equip their school going children with even the basic necessities, like a school bag, stationery and water bottle. A random search of schools in the vicinity led to the selection of the Chung Hwa Primary School as the first of many schools that IWC AS would be considering to donate school going items under its BACK-TO-SCHOOL Project. Ms. Goh, the teacher in charge of Student Affairs, informed the Club that the School has many children who come from extremely low income families and any help that the Club could render would be most welcome. Ten children were then identified as the first batch of recipients and the date was set for 17 March 2022, just three days before the school term resumes.
President Pavitratha took charge of purchasing the items made possible by the generous donations of members and well-wishers, including from DC Shamini who made a pledge to donate to this project during her virtual visit to the Club on 26 February 2022. A school bag containing a colour pencil set, a pencil case, paint and paint brushes, a water bottle, a drink, biscuits and ang pow for the children to buy other needed items, was prepared.
On 17 March morning, Vice President Tunku Zamharir (representing President Pavitratha who was at work) met the 10 children who had assembled in the hall, each of them wondering why they had been called. When the children were presented with the school set, their joy knew no bounds. Each child brought along a parent who thanked the Club for this generous gesture.
The School then presented a certificate of appreciation to IWC AS and the IWC AS bannerette was presented to the School. Although this certificate will add to the many notes of appreciation received previously, it certainly cannot outdo the massive outpouring of joy as the children walked out of the hall, chatting with the utmost excitement. It was almost like they had won a huge windfall.
IWC AS thanks DC Shamini and all donors who made this project possible.
~ Shantha Pillai