300 students get ‘Back-to-School’ kits

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IN A ceremony filled with fun and good cheer, Philip Morris Malaysia hosted its annual “Back-to-School” drive to give schoolgoing children from less privileged families in Negri Sembilan, a better start in the new school term.

This year, 300 primary and secondary students were given new school bags, school uniforms, shoes and socks in a ceremony held at Kompleks Rakan Muda in Kuala Pilah.

The event was officiated by Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Hasan Malek who presented the Back-to-School kits to the students.

He was accompanied by Philip Morris (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd managing director Tarkan Demirbas and Yayasan Penyuluh Bakti president Khalil Mat.

For you: Demirbas (left) and Hasan (second from left) presenting the Back-to- School kit to a teacher and her student during the event.

Since 2005, Philip Morris Malaysia has been providing similar Back-to-School aid to alleviate the financial burden of rural families so that their children can start the new school term with essential school supplies. This will be Philip Morris Malaysia’s second Back to School initiative for underprivileged communities in the state, where the company’s manufacturing facility is located. With the support of the Deputy Minister’s office as well as the local district Education Office, the programme was undertaken by Yayasan Penyuluh Bakti.

Speaking at the ceremony, Demirbas said, “I am pleased to see so many families who are able to join us today as it really demonstrates how important education is to all of you. Children are the future of this nation and we strongly believe that education is the key for them to prosper and contribute to the country in the future.”

Khalil said: “On behalf of Yayasan Penyuluh Bakti, an NGO focused on youth development, we are honoured by the trust in managing the ‘Back-to-School’ initiative by Philip Morris Malaysia under its corporate responsibility programme.

“We are happy to see the smiles on the faces of the less privileged children when they received the school essentials and we hope to implement this programme on an annual basis to support the educational needs of students.