TEMERLOH: Media Prima Bhd, through its Tabung Bencana New Straits Times Press (NSTP)-Media Prima, today brought cheer to pupils at SK Desa Bakti in Mentakab here by sponsoring them with back-to-school necessities worth RM46,500.
A mock cheque for the 465 pupils who were affected by the floods last year was presented by NSTP chief executive officer and Media Prima news and editorial operations executive editor Mustapha Kamil Mohd Janor to the school's Parents-Teacher Association (PTA) chairman Noor Akma Abdul Basir.
Noor Akma expressed her appreciation, saying the aid has reduced the financial burden of parents who need to purchase new school uniforms for their children.
"Most of the pupils are from low-income families and their parents do odd-jobs in the village, so this assistance is timely. The floods which inundated the village for about 19 days had affected their income but now, each of them is certain to purchase a new set of uniforms along with other school items.
"We are grateful to the kind-hearted people who have come forward to contribute to the NSTP-Media Prima fund which has allowed the company to raise aid for the needy. The aid has certainly put a smile on the children's faces," she said when met at the Desa Bakti mosque here after the mock cheque presentation event today.
Meanwhile, Mustapha Kamil described such programmes as being close to the company's heart and hoped to continue carrying out these corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
"We have helped those hit by disasters and provided medical needs for the underprivileged. This was made possible with support from Tabung Bencana NSTP-Media Prima donors. We appreciate all the support provided by the public who had placed their trust in us to assist the needy.
"After this, we hope to go on and help other schools which are in need of aid. The cash vouchers will now allow the school operations to be carried out smoothly and the pupils can attend lessons without any setbacks," he said in his speech.
Meanwhile, Desa Bakti Village Development and Security Committee (JPKK) secretary Md Hasrin Abdul Ghani expressed his gratitude to Media Prima and all those who had contributed.
"Now the pupils will not have to worry about their school uniforms and other items. They will only need to concentrate on attending school and doing well in their lessons," he said, adding the floods hit the village twice last year.
Year Five pupil Ainon Sofia Azman, 11, said she had already purchased a new set of school uniforms with the cash voucher and is now determined to do well in school.