KUALA TERENGGANU: Eastern Pacific Industrial Corporation Bhd (Epics) today donated school essentials to 40 underprivileged pupils from Sekolah Kebangsaan Bukit Tunggal and Sekolah Kebangsaan Seberang Takir, Kuala Nerus.
Epics' general manager Rusdi Ngah said the students from poor families were selected by the school's board, while some of them are orphans.
"We have been implementing programmes like this as part of our corporate social responsibility (CSR) for years with the cooperation of the state government to deliver assistance and ease the burden of the needy, especially those in the rural areas," he said after launching the 'Back to school 2018' programme held at the Taman Tamadun Islam.
"This is our second event after school essentials such as school bags, stationery, books and others were contributed to 40 pupil from Sekolah Kebangsaan Chukai and SK Seri Iman in Kemaman, yesterday," he said.
Rusdi said Epics has allocated between RM1 million and RM2 million for CSR events this year.
"This has proven that private sectors too are fulfilling their social and corporate responsibilities," he said, adding that the company spent RM45,000 to cheer the children with gifts and sightseeing as well as a treat by taking them to watch 'Jumanji' at the Paya Bunga Square.
"We are delighted to be able to play a role in helping students and families involved in the programme, and we hope that this will help boost the spirits of the students," he said.
A recipient, Mohd Azlan Hussin, 11, from Kampung Bukit Tunggal, said he watching 'Jumanji'. Azlan said his parents cannot afford to bring him watch the film and he is also happy to receive the new school bags and other items from Epics.
Another recipient, Siti Aisyah Khairul Aman, 12, from Kuala Nerus said she enjoyed the movie very much and hoped to be able to come back to watch other movies.
She said that her mother is the sole breadwinner for the family and as such, they do not have much.
Aisyah said her mother's salary as a food stall assistant is hardly enough to support the family of seven.
"We are poor but it is not an obstacle for me to study to become a good teacher in the future," she said.