Bandar Seri Begawan - A total of 45 orphans from families of officers and staff members of the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources (MIPR) and its departments received contributions of school supplies yesterday.

The contribution presentation ceremony took place at the Setia Pahlawan Hall of the ministry at Jalan Menteri Besar.

The event was conducted through the Community Outreach Programme which was jointly coordinated by Brunei Industrial Development Activity (BINA) and Entrepreneurial Development Centre (PPK), two agencies that come under MIPR.

Present to hand over the donations as guest of honour was Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Yahya bin Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar, the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources.

Also present during the ceremony were Permanent Secretaries, Directors, Heads of Department and officers and staff of the ministry.

The event began with the reading of verses of Al-Quran by Muhammad Khairul Hafizuddin bin Shamsuddin and the interpretation of the verses, read by Mohammad Yusarey bin Mohd Said.

Awg Hj Metassan bin Hj Abd Salim, the Acting Director of BINA, in his welcoming remarks expressed his gratitude towards the sponsors and donors who had contributed in helping fulfil the needs of the young children yesterday.

He hoped that the mutual aid would continue to be nurtured within the community and stressed on the importance of maintaining close working relationships between the government and private sectors to help those who are in need in future.

The recipients of the donations yesterday consisted of 28 secondary school students, 15 primary school students and two young children under the age of four.

The donations received were in form of vouchers from various bookstores, school equipment from sponsors and individuals, as well as contributions from officers and staff of the ministry and its departments.

The Community Outreach Programme is part of the ministry's annual activities that are geared towards helping the less fortunate by providing reasonable assistance to them.

The programme is meant help to ease the burden faced by the children and their families as they make preparations for the new school session next year.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin