The National Orphans Fund, Brunei-Muara Orphans Fund and Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD) yesterday made the respective donations of B$256,300, B$65,920 and B$180,845 to the 5,126 orphaned children registered with the Community Development Department (JAPEM).

Held at the International Convention Centre, the ceremony saw the handover of donations to 3,296 orphans from the Brunei-Muara District, while representatives from the Tutong, Belait and Temburong districts received the donations on the children's behalf.

On hand to present the donations were Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports; and Yang Berhormat Dato Paduka Awang Haji Bahrin bin Abdullah, Minister of Development, in his capacity as the Chairman of BIBD.

Also among those present was Datin Paduka Dr. Hajah Norlila binti Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Jalil, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.

During the ceremony, BIBD presented monetary rewards to student orphans who achieved excellent scores in their Primary School Assessment (PSR), GCE 'O' Levels and 'A' Levels Examinations (2011) under the bank's 'Rewards Scheme for Excellent Students'.

The top students in the PSR exams received B$500 each, while recipients in the 'O' Level category received B$800.

The annual handover of donations during Ramadhan is to assist the country's orphaned children with their daily requirements, and to bring some cheer for them while preparing to celebrate Hari Raya.

Dayang Masnah binti Muhd Salim, a mother of three, expressed her gratitude to JAPEM and BIBD as she sees the handover as a boon. She also mentioned that the money will be used for her children's expenses.

Meanwhile, Dayang Misra Ali from RPN Kampong Panchor Mengkubau expressed her gratefulness for the kindness shown by the government through the National Orphans Fund and BIBD.

"Celebrating Hari Raya after the passing of my husband was hard at first especially for my daughter, but the generosity of this country and its people to the children - especially to orphans - makes it more of a memorable celebration for us here in Brunei," she said.

Dayang Nur Masturina binti Ibrahim, one of the recipients of the BIBD 'Rewards Scheme for Excellent Students', said that she works hard to prove herself and to make her late father proud.

"I feel grateful to have been selected to receive this award as it makes me feel appreciated and satisfied after the hard work I did for my recent exam. I will be saving this money for school expenses as I enter sixth form," she said.

Source:
@BRUDIRECT.COM

by BruDirect.com

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