Tuesday, December 14, 2004
The Wisdom of Donation
My fellow classmates had recently organised a reunion function to celebrate the 35th anniversary since leaving school. It was a great two days event with dinners, friendly game matches and visiting to the school. It was certainly a grand event attended by more than 200 peoples consisting of the old boys and their spouses, many of them flown back from overseas to attend.
During the function, a sum of RM30,000 was raised to be donated to the school. The generosity of my fellow classmates must be applauded. The money was to assist the school to upgrade and refurbish a music room. What a good cause for the donated money.
The RM30,000 to help refurbish the school music room was certainly a good cause. But was there a better alternative use of the donation?
Since the school establishment 100 years ago, the school has produced many talented students. Majority of the school graduates have become prominent citizens not only in the country but in overseas countries as well. Many of them are leaders and expertise in various areas including science, technology, medicine, commerce, arts, music, literature, politic, education and many others. Over the years, ex-students organise their respective class reunion functions and customary collected donations for the school. It is just a great tradition. I must say that in term of academic excellence and in term of grandness of the school buildings and environment, the school is second to none in the State, or perhaps, in the whole country. Meanwhile, the school (being a government school) is also getting funding from the government as well as contributions from existing students. The school also receiving sponsorship from some financially well off citizens of the community. Does the school really need the extra RM30,000 for the music room?
I remember during my years of studies 35 years ago, there were a great number of students from the financially disadvantage group struggling to complete their studies. Many of them worked part-time in various low paid work to earn enough to pay for the school fees and for their books. I can personally recall a number of the top students quit their studies because of family financial hardship.
In a country where social security is almost non-existence and community support for the financially disadvantages students are lacking, a little bit of financial help to these poor students will mean a difference in quitting or continue their education. While many of us are fortunate to be able to complete our school studies to continue to universities or to start their businesses, our many poor friends did not have the luxury of this option. Today, the economy of the country has improved generally compared to 35 years ago, but the agony of the financial disadvantage students remains.
The RM30,000 donation to the school would definitely add another silver lining to the already colourful rainbow of the school. On the other hand, the RM30,000 can be used to help a total of 120 students each with RM250 to assist them in paying the school fees or in buying that important textbook. I am sure in their later successful life, these students will look back and remember the crucial help they received during their hardest times. I am sure they would repay the society many more times than they have received.
We are grateful to our school and our society for what we are today. In our haste to repay and contribute to our society, we need to pause a bit and consider value for money in the donations collected.
During the function, a sum of RM30,000 was raised to be donated to the school. The generosity of my fellow classmates must be applauded. The money was to assist the school to upgrade and refurbish a music room. What a good cause for the donated money.
The RM30,000 to help refurbish the school music room was certainly a good cause. But was there a better alternative use of the donation?
Since the school establishment 100 years ago, the school has produced many talented students. Majority of the school graduates have become prominent citizens not only in the country but in overseas countries as well. Many of them are leaders and expertise in various areas including science, technology, medicine, commerce, arts, music, literature, politic, education and many others. Over the years, ex-students organise their respective class reunion functions and customary collected donations for the school. It is just a great tradition. I must say that in term of academic excellence and in term of grandness of the school buildings and environment, the school is second to none in the State, or perhaps, in the whole country. Meanwhile, the school (being a government school) is also getting funding from the government as well as contributions from existing students. The school also receiving sponsorship from some financially well off citizens of the community. Does the school really need the extra RM30,000 for the music room?
I remember during my years of studies 35 years ago, there were a great number of students from the financially disadvantage group struggling to complete their studies. Many of them worked part-time in various low paid work to earn enough to pay for the school fees and for their books. I can personally recall a number of the top students quit their studies because of family financial hardship.
In a country where social security is almost non-existence and community support for the financially disadvantages students are lacking, a little bit of financial help to these poor students will mean a difference in quitting or continue their education. While many of us are fortunate to be able to complete our school studies to continue to universities or to start their businesses, our many poor friends did not have the luxury of this option. Today, the economy of the country has improved generally compared to 35 years ago, but the agony of the financial disadvantage students remains.
The RM30,000 donation to the school would definitely add another silver lining to the already colourful rainbow of the school. On the other hand, the RM30,000 can be used to help a total of 120 students each with RM250 to assist them in paying the school fees or in buying that important textbook. I am sure in their later successful life, these students will look back and remember the crucial help they received during their hardest times. I am sure they would repay the society many more times than they have received.
We are grateful to our school and our society for what we are today. In our haste to repay and contribute to our society, we need to pause a bit and consider value for money in the donations collected.
