BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

VALUE of the coupons that enable orphans under the Pengiran Muda Mahkota Al-Muhtadee Billah Fund for Orphans (DANA) to buy their school needs has increased from $50 to $70.

Hj Brahim Hj Ismail, in a speech at the SMS Brunei Prihatin launching ceremony, said this was the first time the coupon’s value has increased since the project began in 2002.

The DANA Managing Director of Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah said in recent years the amount of orphans registered to DANA has gradually increased.

He cited in 2008, there were 1,835 orphans and now in 2014, there were over 3,800. .

“It’s hoped that with this increase, it can little by little ease the financial expenses spent by a mother or by the guardians for their children’s school needs,” he said.

“We also hope that it can encourage the orphans to appreciate the importance of education and encourage them to further succeed in their studies.”

Hj Brahim added that the orphans would be able to purchase their school needs including school uniforms and supplies from 30 companies.

“Also 13 of these companies have agreed to donate five per cent from the sales they make from the coupons to the DANA,” Hj Brahim said.

Over 3,800 of the coupons were distributed to district officers: Mohd Sunadi Hj Buntar, acting district officer of Brunei-Muara; Wardi Hj Mohd Ali of Tutong; Azizul Azri Hj Majid of Temburong; and Hj Haris Othman of Belait.

The district officers will then hand over the coupons to their village leaders who in turn will distribute these down to the orphans.

DANA also received over $12,000 from four donors yesterday.

The donations were all received by Minister of Development cum Chairman of the DANA Board of Trustees Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Suyoi Hj Osman.

Bright Jigsaw International School representative Abd Azim Hj Sambas donated $10,000 collected from the school’s fund-raising wheelkathon.T S M Motors Trading Sdn Bhd represented by its managing director Peter Sii gave a $2,000 donation.

Happy Union Restaurant Sdn Bhd donated $500 and represented by Pang Jan Kho. IGS College represented by Consular Officer Pg Hj Iskandar Pg Hj Mohd Said donated $305.

The Brunei Times