Back-to-school cheer for 150 needy children05 Jan 2017, by The Star
A pupil trying on new school shoes during the We Care – Back To School programme held at Senai International Airport.
JOHOR BARU: Some 150 underprivileged pupils from several villages in Senai were recipients of a back-to-school programme at Senai International Airport here.
We Care – Back to School saw children from SK Senai and SK Senai Utama receiving school supplies like uniforms, bags and stationery.
The event was organised by Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATSSB) and Senai Airport City Sdn Bhd (SACSB), SATSSB assistant general manager of finance, procurement and IT services Syahrul Nazri Mohd Sai’on said they visited the schools to gather information from the teachers first.
“We hope to lighten the financial burden of their families,” he said during the event, adding many were from rural areas.
Syahrul said the programme was different from other back-to-school events as the children were given the opportunity to “shop” for their preferred items.
The children, aged six to 12 years, had a fun time choosing the items.
Each child was given a coupon to redeem eight types of school items at the airport, comprising school shoes, uniforms, pencil boxes and stationery.
Syahrul added many of the recipients had never visited the airport despite living nearby.
“The event also gave the children an opportunity to learn more about the airport and its operations.”
SACSB head of projects Yarlida Yahya said through the programme, they wanted the children to be happy and motivated to return to school.