THE Yayasan Jaafar Ahmad foundation has expanded its Back-to-School Packs assistance programme to schools in Negri Sembilan, after recognising the needs of the community and the importance of children receiving their education.
This assistance programme will benefit nearly 1,000 preschool children from 29 rural schools around Negri Sembilan, who will be entering primary school this month.
Out of the 1,000 Back-to-School Packs, more than 300 Back-to-School Packs have been allocated to students in the Tampin district.
Among the items provided are school bags, uniforms and school supplies.
Foundation adviser Zainudin Jaafar said that a sum of RM150,000 has been contributed by the foundation to support this noble endeavour.
"Today, through Yayasan Jaafar Ahmad, our family is delighted to collaborate with RMHC Malaysia to donate these Back-to-School Packs to students who will be returning to school next week.
"The distribution of these Back-to-School Packs will involve children from SK Felda Pasir Besar and 28 other schools in Negri Sembilan.
"As someone who was born and raised in Negri Sembilan, this contribution through our foundation is our family's way of giving back to our hometown and the community," he said.
Zainudin said the Back-to-School Packs initiative holds a special place in his heart because he himself was once a child that came from an underprivileged family background.
He knows firsthand the feeling of receiving new school supplies, which is one of the reasons he gives back to the Felda community today.
"Besides making the children excited to go to school, my hope is that this contribution can encourage outstanding academic success and change the fate of their families," he said.
Zainudin is the eldest son of Jaafar Ahmad and an alumnus of SK Felda Pasir Besar.
Apart from serving as an adviser to the foundation, he is also an active member of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) at SK Felda Pasir Besar, and according to him, "This is one of the ways I can give back."
"My father, Jaafar Ahmad, was a settler in Felda Pasir Besar, my siblings and I grew up and studied in SK Felda Pasir Besar.
"SK Felda Pasir Besar holds a special place in my heart. This is where my education and that of my siblings began before continuing to secondary school and university, leading to the success we have today.
"My siblings and I want to contribute to our hometown and the younger generation here. As the saying goes, 'where one falls, one remembers', let alone a place of childhood memories," he said.
The establishment of the foundation, named after his father, is aimed at assisting the needy, especially in Felda Pasir Besar and Negri Sembilan, through beneficial initiatives.
The foundation was founded by the family of Ronald McDonald House Charities Malaysia (RMHC Malaysia) president, Datuk Azmir Jaafar to assist those in need.
Through the foundation, they have been contributing to the children of this school every year.
Zainudin also stated the good intentions of his foundation to contribute for upcoming Ramadan preparations during his speech.
"I would like to inform that the foundation has never ceased to assist the needy, especially to the Felda community in Negri Sembilan, through various community engagement initiatives including Ramadan contributions since its inception.
"This includes sponsoring iftar meals, daily necessities and cash donations. This year, we will continue our Ramadan initiatives.
"If anyone is in need, do not hesitate to contact us, and we will do our best to provide assistance," he said.
Meanwhile, RMHC Malaysia will be providing aid to 11,000 underprivileged students nationwide by distributing its Back-to-School Packs for the 2024 school session.
The distribution of these Back-to-School Packs has been ongoing in stages since December until the first week of the school session in March.
In total, RM1.5 million has been successfully raised and spent to ensure the implementation of the Back-to-School Packs initiative this year.
This funding is the result of contributions from corporate companies, as well as concerned individuals, including McDonald's Malaysia customers and employees.
RMHC Malaysia general manager Nasri Nordin said RMHC Malaysia continues its welfare efforts in distributing school supplies to alleviate the burden of parents and motivate children to study diligently at school.
"As a charity organisation focusing on the well-being of children in Malaysia, RMHC Malaysia continues its distribution initiative to ease the burden on parents in providing school supplies for their children.
"Additionally, we hope that these Back-to-School Packs provided will motivate children to study hard in school," he said.
The distribution of the Back-to-School Packs in Felda Pasir Besar was successfully completed with the support of representatives from Felda Pasir Besar, who also attended the ceremony as a sign of support for the programme.