BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

BRUNEI’S Council on Social Welfare (MKM) is looking to expand its charity programme dubbed the Fidyah Scheme to another four or five schools, said Council President Datin Paduka Hjh Intan Hj Mohd Kassim.

Launched just last year, the Fidyah Scheme is an initiative to provide meals for schoolchildren that are in dire need of assistance, explained the president in an interview with _The Brunei Times _recently.

Currently, only one school with 42 children under our care is registered in this scheme, she added.

“We hope to reach out to four or five more schools but as of yet, we are unable to do so due to our own financial limitations,’’ said Datin Paduka Hjh Intan adding that operational costs for the scheme runs up to an estimated $18,000 to $20,000 annually.

The plan to get more schools onto the scheme was revealed by the council president yesterday in an effort to raise funds through the council’s charity dinner next month.

With a set target of selling 1,000 tickets, priced at $100 each, the council president said that the council remains optimistic on achieving its goal as it is banking on the generosity of Bruneians, especially the business community, who are always ready to support a good cause.

MKM was established in 2009 to address social issues by coordinating with other Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) in their efforts to improve the well-being of vulnerable groups.

The proceeds from the charity dinner will be used to provide assistance to MKM clients.

`Currently, MKM has 58 registered clients comprising children, persons with disabilities, elderly and the needy.

“We try and assist them in any way we can. For instance, we will buy basic necessities for our clients when they reach out to us for help,” said Datin Paduka Hjh Intan pointing out that such requests include buying school uniforms, workbooks, shoes, stationeries, school bags at the beginning of new school terms.

The council president, inviting the public to take part in the charity dinner, said that the event will feature performances from local artistes ranging from Fakhrul Razi, Nadia and the Boys, Qays Muzini and Relentless Entertainment with the latter featuring theatrical dance.

The event will also officially announce Datin Hjh Norlina Dato Hj Abu Bakar as the MKM’s goodwill ambassador as well as the re-launching of “Rasa & Warna Brunei Darussalam (Flavours & Colours)”, a 233-page Cookbook published by the council.

Towards achieving its objectives, MKM also includes training, guidance awareness campaigns and research.

To do so, the council has also been supported by other associations such as Almas Club, Persatuan Warga Malaysia (PWM), Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) and Belait Youth Association (PEMBELA).

The Brunei Times