Wawasan Open University (WOU) handed out parcels of foods, beverages and necessities, contributed by staff, to five single parents in an effort to alleviate their burden and add to their festive cheer.
THE RECIPIENTS POSE WITH THE UNIVERSITY STAFF AND GUESTS.
In a simple ceremony held at the main campus today, WOU Public and Student Relations (PSR) Director Grace Lau Pee Hoay presented the provisions to the recipients, who are single mothers registered with Persatuan Kebajikan Asas Pulau Pinang (PKAPP) under its Women Empowerment Bureau and Welfare Aid division.
LAU (CENTRE) AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY.
The single mothers were Jummah Bee Mohd Ali, 58, from Taman Nusantara, George Town; Salmah Mohd Iqbal, 46, from Sungai Nibong; Suraiyah K. Hussain, 51, from Bandar Baru Ayer Itam; Mariam Abdullah, 60, from Rifle Range, Ayer Itam; and Selahar Bee S.M. Syed, 60, from River Road, George Town.
They each received flour, cooking oil, rice, sugar, cereals, biscuits, beverages, evaporated milk, dry noodles, canned foods and other provisions, along with laundry detergents, bathing soaps, shower gels and toothpastes.
HAPPY WITH THE PROVISIONS FROM WOU. AT LEFT IS ALAGESAN.
The University, through the PSR Department, had launched a Ramadhan charity project themed ‘The reward of giving Sadaqah’ from May 6th to 21st. Staff and students were encouraged to drop off their contributions during this period.
According to Lau, the project was part of the University’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) to reach out to the less fortunate in society during major festivals. “We want to remember the single parents in our community, especially those who find it hard to make ends meet. We hope, in our own small way, we are able to contribute and make a positive difference in their lives so that they can cheerfully celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri this year.”
THE UNIVERSITY REMEMBERS THE LESS FORTUNATE DURING THE MAJOR FESTIVALS, SAYS LAU.
PKAPP founder/president Alagesan Ayaru, in his opening remarks, thanked WOU for its gesture in helping the disadvantaged during the festive season.
“Ramadhan is a time of spiritual renewal and a reminder of one’s duty to our fellow friends and to lift up the less fortunate. We affirm that whatever our faith, we are all one family.” He continued, “It is our chance to remind those in need that they do matter and they are not forgotten.”
PART OF THE CROWD AT THE EVENT.
Following the presentation, the guests and recipients were treated to a simple berbuka puasa dinner with the staff of WOU.
Among those who attended were PKAPP patron Dato’ Shahul Hamid Abdul Kadir, Persatuan Kemajuan Wanita Pulau Pinang president Fatimah Kader, along with Deans Prof Balakrishnan Muniandy and Assoc Prof Dr S Nagarajan as well as Acting Dean Prakash Arumugam from WOU.
A SIMPLE BERBUKA PUASA AT THE MAIN CAMPUS.
