MARAN: When the devastating floods hit Pahang last year, several schools were inundated resulting in thousands of reading materials kept in their libraries to be soaked and damaged.
This had prompted the Pahang chapter of the Malaysian English Language Teaching Association (Melta) to embark on a book drive - "Melt-A-Heart" programme - in March to replenish the flood-hit libraries.
Last week, Melta distributed 4,000 children's storybooks to 35 primary schools and 65 Community Development Department preschools (tabika) across the state.
Pahang Melta head, Noorjahan Sultan said the chapter had initiated the book drive so that pre-schoolers and primary school pupils will not lose their passion for reading.
"Melta took about four months to collect some 5,000 books of various genres and languages. After sorting out the books, some 4,000 copies were distributed to the primary schools and preschools in Pahang.
"The books were contributed by various agencies, universities and individuals from within the state and outside. The main contributors include University College of Yayasan Pahang, DRB-Hicom University, Pahang's Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp) and Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Women Association," she said after the 'Melt-A-Heart' book handing over programme at UiTM Jengka near here.
Noorjahan, who won the coveted Pearson ELT Teacher award in 2018, said the Melt-A-Heart' programme served as an eye opener for various quarters including publishers who came forward to donate their books.
"There had been a lot of focus on providing food and other aid as part of the post-flood relief efforts but many did not realise that there is a need to rebuild the reading corners and equip them with story books," said Noorjahan, who also contributed books written by her to all the preschools and primary schools.
Meanwhile, State Education Committee chairman Datuk Seri Syed Ibrahim Syed Ahmad, who launched the event, said Melta's contribution will benefit the children who were not able to continue with their reading routines after the books were destroyed.
"The Melt-A-Heart' programme marks a new chapter for children who have lost their reading materials in the floods. Various groups have teamed up to show solidarity by donating books to restock the shelves at the affected libraries," he said.