NECF Malaysia presented cheques totalling half a million ringgit to principals and representatives of 33 schools nationwide to help them upgrade their school facilities and equipment. Each school received between RM10,000 and RM20,000.
The money, which was donated by Malaysian evangelicals who participated in last year’s Merdeka 40-day Fast and Prayer, was given away by Deputy Education Minister Dato’ Hon Choon Kim at a simple ceremony in Kuala Lumpur in June.
In his speech, Dato’ Hon expressed gratitude to NECF Malaysia for sharing the government’s burden of educating Malaysian children by helping the 33 schools. He said the Government spent a quarter of its budget on education to educate five million students taught by 320,000 teachers in 10,000 schools.
“Education is not the sole responsibility of the government. The government needs the support of the community and non-governmental organisations to help educate the millions of children,” he said.
Earlier on, NECF Vice-Chairman Rev. Dr Eu Hong Seng said NECF was channelling the 2004 collection to education because it “recognised the supreme importance of education for nurturing the younger generation and preparing them for gainful employment and good citizenship”. The donation was specifically meant to help improve school facilities, which include building and equipment.
Rev. Eu also called upon the Christian community to once again participate in this year’s Merdeka 40-Day Fast and Prayer, which begins on July 21, and contribute the money saved from skipping their meals to charity in response to Isaiah 58:6–7.
In his welcoming address, NECF Secretary-General Rev. Wong Kim Kong remarked that in recent years, evangelical Christians have become increasingly conscious of their role as citizens of the country and have sought to contribute to the country’s development in every sphere – social, economic, education, and others.
“NECF believes in helping everyone irrespective of race, culture, philosophy or religion. In the past years, the money from the Charity Fund has helped victims of the JE epidemic and the earthquake in Turkey, children in war-torn Sudan, as well as given to Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine, North Korea, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
“The list includes Muslim as well as communist countries. This is evidence that we hold no prejudice against any group of people and find that it does not conflict with our faith to help people who are different from us... because we are all made in the image of God,” he said.
 |
(Left pix) In response to the Government’s effort to instil a deeper respect for the national anthem, the ceremony started off with the singing of Negaraku.
(Bottom pix) Dato’ Hon (2nd from right) receiving the mock cheque from Rev. Eu. Sharing the moment are NECF Hon. Treasurer Sam Ang and Hon. Secretary Elder Kong Yeng Phooi (left and 2nd left respec-tively) and Rev. Wong (right). |
 |
|
