Mendaki extends aid to older students

With six children aged between 11 months and six years, it is a struggle for Ms Marwiah Ahmad, 26, to make ends meet.

She is a housewife and her husband is a delivery driver who earns $1,200 a month.

Yesterday, she received help from Malay self-help group Mendaki under its Education Trust Fund (ETF) school assistance scheme.

Her son, who is starting Primary 1 in Henry Park Primary School next year, received $130.

He was among 14 recipients from primary and secondary schools who each got between $130 and $200 at a ceremony attended by Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources and Minister-in- charge of Muslim Affairs.

The scheme, which was launched in 2003, also extended aid to upper secondary students. This is the first time it is doing so, benefiting 338 students in Secondary 3 to 5, who received $200 each.

There was more good news.

As a result of the economic downturn, the previous cap of three applications per family will no longer apply, said Mr Haider Sithawalla, chairman of the ETF committee.

Since 2003, Mendaki has disbursed $1.73 million to 7,868 children.

Said Nabila Shafiee, 16, a recipient who is awaiting her N-level results: 'With this, I hope to be able to go to polytechnic to pursue a course in design in future.'