SRI AMAN, Jan 2: The Pencils Project Association has so far helped more than 500 students from 60 longhouses here since 2016.
Apart from motivational talks for students and parents, the association has donated stationery, school bags, school uniforms, shoes and monies for school expenses.
According to its patron Norina Umoi Utot in a statement, the association aims to lift rural children’s education levels and at the same time, ease the burden of low and middle income families.
“In the effort to produce a generation of literate and creative Sarawakians, Pencils Project is intended to stimulate students to stay motivated in school and study hard. Our young people, especially students, are important to the country as they are the human capital that will inherit the administration as well as a source of wealth for the nation,” Norina disclosed at the project launch in Rh Faizal, Engkeramut.
Twenty students from Rh Faizal, Engkeramut received donated school supplies such as bags and stationery as well as money provided by the association.
Over the years, Norina disclosed that over the years, the association had carried out activities including motivational talks in primary schools such as SK Saint Paul, St Paul Banting in Lingga, SK Saint Martin in Lachau, SK Saint Luke, and SK Bakong, just to name a few.
Every time when schools reopen, the association delivers donations to school children.
Norina hoped that it will inspire other non-governmental organisations (NGOs), groups, clubs, and private sector and government bodies to work together to help improve the quality of education among school students in need.
In the meantime, the association is planning to hold an essay writing competition which would be divided into two categories: children and adults. — DayakDaily
