GIS students dig deep into their pockets to help Myanmar’s children
KUALA LUMPUR, 2 June 2008 – With empathy and generosity in their hearts, students of Malaysia’s Garden International School came together recently to raise RM 29,708 for Myanmar’s children who survived Cyclone Nargis. Being avid supporters of causes, the students from GIS primary and secondary schools felt they simply could not turn their backs on their peers in Myanmar, who are trying to survive in desperate conditions. “I felt sorry for all the people who are suffering and in need of help. I hope the money I donated can make a change for the better,” said 13-year old GIS student Sofiah Twynam (Year 8). Passing the hat around The enterprising students passed the hat around and used their school’s annual signature event, Mufti Day to come together for a good cause and in support of UNICEF’s Myanmar Children’s Cyclone Appeal 2008.
Participating in an array of exciting activities, all for a “fee”, the students had their fun, but never lost sight that some 1 million children in Myanmar need urgent help. GIS students from Years 7 to 9 (11-14 years old), on the other hand, maximised their Readathon 2008, a program that fosters a love for reading, to collect funds from their parents, friends and their community. Regardless of what they did, the students clearly showed that the spirit of peer solidarity cuts across borders, race and economic background. And their school stood firmly with them, providing guidance and encouragement to help them make a difference. Schooling gives a sense of securityUNICEF’s Representative to Malaysia Mr. Youssouf Oomar was on hand to receive their donation, three weeks to day when Cyclone Nargis swept through Myanmar’s low-lying Irrawaddy delta on 2 and 3 May 2008.
“Schooling is so important for children and young people for the protection it provides as well as for its endless opportunities to succeed in life. But schooling in times of a disaster is particulary important as it gives children a sense of security and helps them in the recovery process,” said Mr. Youssouf. More than 4,000 basic education schools across the cyclone-affected areas of Myanmar were damaged or totally destroyed, affecting approximately 1.1 million children. In partnership with the Ministry of Education as well as local and international NGOs, UNICEF is working with communities to provide children with safe child-friendly spaces for both formal and informal education to continue. UNICEF supplies include 100,000 essential learning packages for affected children, text books for 150,000 children, 2,000 school kits for affected schools, 200,000 roofing sheets and construction kits for repairing schools as well as tents and tarpaulins to set up some 1,000 temporary safe learning spaces. For eight year old Louise Bottom, the opportunity to play her part was welcomed. “I was very happy to make a donation as it is for a good cause. I hope that it will help the people of Myanmar.” END About Garden International School
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