Rotary Club of Kota MelakaProjects
COMPUTER LITERACY PROJECT
JOINT-PROJECT BY THE ROTARY CLUBS OF SENTOSA AND KOTA MELAKA, D3310.
By PP Jimmy Tay - RC Kota Melaka
A chance dinner meeting and a chance conversation! That was all it took between President Michael Quek from RC Sentosa, Singapore and President David Tan of Kota Melaka to hit it off on combined efforts to launch a mini joint-international project in pursuit of one of Rotary International’s declared humanitarian goals, Literacy Promotion.
From left: DG Latip, Tan Sri Datuk Wira Ahmad Nordin,PDG Ben Ch’ng & Pres.Michael Quek
President David identified the usage of computers as a definite step towards literacy development among children and in this respect, suggested the donation of computers to needy primary schools in Malacca. This plan was readily accepted by President Michael Quek and together they started the arduous hunt for funds for this proposed project via an initial taking up of eight PHF (Paul Harris Fellow) by each club, raising a total of US$16,000. A Matching Grant of US$5,000 was received from Rotary Foundation while the Crocodile Foundation of Singapore kindly donated another US$7,000, making a grand total of US$28,000 or approximately RM95,000!
With this respectable sum of money, the project was able to purchase 40 sets of new computers plus programmes for the learning of primary school level English language. The whole project would benefit eight schools with a total population of about 5,000 students. It was also reckoned that with an average life- span of five years, the computers would have benefited over 25,000 students during that period.
On Friday afternoon, 26th.March 2010, a handover ceremony of the computers to the eight recipient schools (SK St. Francis, Methodist (P) 2 & Air Jernih, SJK(C) Pay Teck, Notre Dame & Tiang Dua, SJK Paya Dalam and SJK(T) Kubu) was organized at Mahkota Parade, Malacca with attendance by the District Governor, Datuk Latip Bin Saruggi, PDG Ben Ch’ng, Rotarians from the two respective Clubs, teachers and students from the schools and members of the Press. In total, there were over 100 persons at the event.
The invited Guest-of-Honour, Tan Sri Datuk Wira Ahmad Nordin Md. Amin, President of the Council of Datuks in Melaka, in his speech commented on the world being a fast- moving and borderless world today and that computer literacy was a necessary pre-requisite in improving and developing the young. He was moved by such selfless gestures from Rotary Clubs in helping to promote literacy by donating new computers to primary schools and he pointed out that he was further impressed that such a project was ably undertaken by a Singapore and a Malaccan club pulling their resources together!
He also hinted that his Association of Datuks in Melaka could look at similar joint-efforts and co-operation with Rotary clubs for future community service projects.
The two club Presidents, DG Datuk Latip, PDG Ben Ch’ng and Tan Sri Ahmad Nordin then helped to hand over the computers to representatives of the eight schools and the look of glee on some of the children’s faces were sufficient to know that the Rotarians had done well that day. As one of the teachers said in an emotional voice, “In the past, it was all mainly second-hand or discarded computers that were donated to us. We are so please with this generous gift from the Rotary clubs as this is the first time we are receiving brand new computers. Our students and teachers are very touched by your kindness. Thank you so much!”
The teachers, students and guests were then invited to a “makan kecil” in the Food-Court of Mahkota Parade where the Rotarians were amused by the relish and gusto the children polished off their tea-time treat.
Following the success of this project, further discussions between the two clubs have led to a blossoming of ideas resulting in Phase 2 of the project in continuing the promotion of computer literacy among more schools in Malacca. President Michael has suggested the collection of unwanted and discarded computers from companies and institutions in Singapore to be transported to Malacca for reconditioning. A further suggestion was made by RC Kota Melaka for the re-conditioning to be carried out by the Montford Boys’ Home at Air Salak where they were conducting a course in computer repairs. RC Sentosa has agreed to commence the sourcing of computers as soon as they return home.
When clubs get together and unite their brains towards a common good, it is amazing what good ideas can spring forth! All for a better life for the under-privileged and ultimately, towards the betterment of mankind!
Donation of 60 vouchers worth RM50 each to assist
poor primary school students in the purchase
of a set of school uniform and a pair of school shoes
SRK (P) Methodist 2, 10th November 2008
Attended by President Dennis Ng, IPP Leslie Shaw and Ann Joy,
DGE Datuk Latip, AG Jimmy Tay,
PP Kua Chong Beng, PP C. S. Manon and Ann Many,
Rtn Lynn Holland and Rtn Doris Heer
Alzheimer's Awareness Campaigne
in Mahkota
Parade,
18th and 19th October 20008