Bandar Seri Begawan - The SMS Brunei Prihatin for the Pengiran Muda Mahkota Al-Muhtadee Billah Fund for Orphans (DANA) Year 20122013 was yesterday launched at the multipurpose hall of the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Secondary School, seeing DANA CEO Awg Hj Brahim Hj Ismail as the guest of honour.

The day also saw the presentation of DANA contributions in the form of coupons for the purchase of stationeries and school needs for DANA orphans.

Initiating the event was a mass recitation of Surah al-Fatihah led by Ustaz Hj Samsul Muawan Hj Shodiq, following which welcoming remarks were delivered by Hj Puasa Hj Jumat, the chairman of the working committee.

In his remarks, Hj Puasa noted that the coupon contribution hopes to lessen the burden of schooling expenditure, particularly with the coming of the academic new year.

He also disclosed the number of orphans registered under DANA had increased - In 2008, a total of 1,835 orphans were registered, while the number of registered orphans as of the end of last month had spiked to 2,919.

The 59 per cent increase since 2008 means stable fund collection and relevant planning must be channelled towards efforts in caring for the welfare of orphans in the country. In last year's SMS Brunei Prihatin for DANA (2011-2012), $70,513 was raised.

Later, the guest of honour officially received the SMS Brunei Prihatin for DANA (2012-2013) Promo DVD from Sheikh Aminul Khair Sheikh Hj Abas, a representative of Syarikat Syazana's Production House.

The production house sponsored the making of promotional video which will be aired on RTB as well as the Mall Cineplex, Mvision Cinema, Seri Q-Lap Cineplex and Plaza Sutera Biru.

The guest of honour then proceeded to launch the SMS Brunei Prihatin (2012-2013), kick-starting the fund raising for both the DST and B.Mobile lines.

SMS Brunei Prihatin Project for DANA will run for 66 days until January 31, with the two local mobile providers, B-Mobile Telecommunications Sdn Bhd and DST Group, providing facilities for the SMS services.

Contributors can throw their support behind this good cause by typing DANA followed with the amount ($1, S5 ,S10 or $20) and sending it to 38111. No service charge will be levied for using this service provided by both companies. Meanwhile, contribution through wap portal is also available for B-Mobile users.

The day later saw the airing of the SMS Brunei Prihatin promotional video and the presentation of SMS Brunei Prihatin for DANA poster by DST Group, which was handed over to the guest of honour by a member of DST Board of Directors, Abd Latiff POKSS Dato Paduka Hj Yusof.

The 2,919 coupons for DANA orphans were then distributed by the guest of honour to Brunei-Muara District Office representative Mohammad Ede Fadle Hj Shamsu; Assistant Belait District Officer Pg Mohd Jeffrynul Hafli Pg Hj Ali; Acting Tutong District Officer Shamsul Bahrin Hj Mohd Hussain; and Temburong District Office representative Ampuan Noor Irawaty Ampuan Hj Razid.

These coupons are redeemable at 22 identified shops supplying exercise and workbooks, stationery, school uniforms, school bags and shoes, as well as shops dealing with daily necessities for the younger orphans who are not yet in school.

The contribution hopes to encourage orphans to appreciate the importance of education and motivate them to improve academically.

Also witnessed yesterday was the presentation of financial contribution to DANA to the tune of $3,644.66 from YSHHB Primary School; $1,816.10 from St John's School, $2,000 from Syarikat BISMI; and $1,000 from Syarikat Qalif Bookstore.

The contributions were presented to DANA CEO by YSHHB Primary School Headmistress Norbaini Hj Abdullah, St John's School. Principal Dr The Keng Watt, BISMI Manager Jamal Mohammad, and Qalif Manager Hj Mohammad Bakar.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin