15 Migrant Workers Get Education Grants
By P. Marilyn

Bandar Seri Begawan - Fifteen migrant workers working in Brunei received $7,500 in education grants from Western Union Foundation, in collaboration with HOPE worldwide (Singapore) (HOPE wwS).

The migrant workers from Bangladesh, India, Indonesia and the Philippines each received $500 each to cover as much as a year's tuition fees, and other necessities like books and uniforms for their children in their hometowns.

This is the second year the Western Union Foundation Education Grant programme has reached out to help migrant workers with the financial costs of educating their children.

HOPE worldwide and the Western Union Foundation have also worked together on the education grants for Singapore and, Malaysia to allow more migrant workers' families to benefit from this programme.

Ms Joyce Tan, CEO of HOPE wwS, said "the programme is very well received. We have short-listed 30 applicants for a more in-depth interview to select the 15 deserving winners. It was a real challenge for the judging panel to determine the final winners as each applicant does have a heartwarming story and all of them work very hard here to build a better future for their families.

"We made our decision based on criteria including the number and ages of children the applicants have, their marital status, income, etc. Those who projected a heartfelt desire of wanting to further their children's schooling won our hearts," she added.

Cedric Dias, Western Union's Country Director for Singapore and Brunei, said the Education Grant Programme started two years ago in Brunei. Through day-to-day transactions with customers, Western Union learned that migrant workers who are parents to children in their home country send money home primarily for their children's education needs.

"The annual upfront costs of school fees, books and uniforms can add up to a certain amount and often these parents have to resort to loans from families, or unscrupulous lenders.

"Experts agree that education is one of the most effective tools for long term alleviation and Western Union is committed to supporting the families of migrant workers. The Western Union Foundation Education Grants are thus practical, immediate and targeted," he said.

The Western Union Foundation Education Grants is open to migrant workers from all countries, who are in Brunei, and with children still receiving education in their home country.

Some 30 applications were shortlisted for interviews by a judging panel, which included Western Union and HOPE wwS members.

The final 15 recipients were determined based on the number and ages of children, marital status and income.

A short essay written by the applicant justifying why he or she should be selected for the grant has also been taken into consideration.

The Western Union Foundation Education Grants are an initiative of the Western Union Foundation, Western Union's philanthropic arm.

The Western Union Foundation is devoted to facilitating global economic opportunity.

Last year, Western Union Foundation introduced Our World, Our Family, a US$50 million (BN$68 million), five-year initiative to empower migrant families worldwide, helping them to stay connected, overcome barriers and realise their dreams.  -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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