Bandar Seri Begawan - The Pengiran Muda Mahkora Al-Muhtadee Billah Fund for Orphans (Dana) launched its annual "SMS Brunei Prihatin" donation drive with a ceremony at Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah School yesterday.

The launch was officiated by Minister of Health Pehin Orang Kaya Indent Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Suyoi Hj Osman, who is also a member of Dana's Board of Trustees.

During his opening speech, Dana Chief Executive officer. Dato Paduka Hj Ali Hashim Hj Daud said the money raised will go to caring for the 1,903 orphans currently registered with Dana. They will help the orphans to receive better cave, guidance and education towards becoming useful citizens of the nation, he said.

He also thanked the public for their concern and future contributions towards the orphans.
This year's campaign is Dana's fourth SMS donation drive. The first drive in 2007 raised $98,069, the second in 2008 raised $108,469.

The launch included the presentation of $109,981 collected from the third SMS Brunei Prihatin drive, which ended earlier this year. The money raised was presented to the minister by B-Mobile Telecommunications Director Dato Paduka Hj Othman Hi Yaakub and Abdul Latiff Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Hj Yusof, a member of DST Group's board of directors.

The event continued with the minister handing out $50 coupons to District Officers for them to disburse among orphans so the children can use them to "buy" school-related items, such as stationary, textbooks and school uniforms. The coupons were donated by 27 companies throughout Brunei. A prize presentation was also held to recognise academic excellence achieved by the orphans. Twelve students who excelled in primary and secondary public examinations each received the Excellent Student Incentive Award, presented by Pehin Dato Hj Suyoi.

To make a donation to the current donation drive, SMS the word "DANA" and the amount of money to he donated (eg: `DANA20") to Tel: 38111.

Only donations of $1, $5, $10, $15 or $20 will he accepted. No service charges apply. The current SMS donation campaign ends January 31.-- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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