RYTHM Foundation, DHRRA embark on library project for stateless children
02 Aug 2022 05:23pm
Photo from Rhythm Foundation Facebook
RYTHM Foundation, in a statement, said the project was developed for children whose families cannot afford expensive learning materials, in tandem with its mission of educating displaced or stateless children in Malaysia.
"The foundation previously contributed textbooks, levy funding, and provisions like school bags and shoes to beneficiaries selected by the DHRRA, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to poverty alleviation and people empowerment initiatives to enrol and keep stateless and undocumented children in school,” the statement said.
Accodring to RYTHM Foundation, the social impact arm of the QI Group, the collaboration is also part of RYTHM’s Gift of Life (GOL) initiative, which focuses on critical and urgent community and individual needs.
It said a group of child advocates has estimated that over 300,000 children in Malaysia are missing out on education because they are stateless, refugees, asylum seekers or undocumented.
Meanwhile, DHRRA’s director for social protection Maalini Ramalo said not all stateless children in Malaysia could attend school, and even if they are qualified for public education, a levy fee must be paid and they are not eligible for the government textbook loan scheme.
"Through this initiative with RYTHM, we want to ensure the children do not have their basic education process disrupted,” she said, adding that the lending library would initially help 140 to 150 students yearly.
Maalini noted that DHRRA currently supports nearly 300 students, especially those enrolled in urban schools with no allocation.
She said the beneficiaries of the project would be encouraged to care for the books in their possession for the use of other stateless children.
Subashini, 18, and Darshini, 11, are two of four siblings adopted by a local man after their Malaysian father died and Indonesian mother abandoned them, but both have yet to become citizens.
"Our educational journey (in government school) has not been easy because of our status. At times, I did not have the necessary books during my primary and secondary years,” said Subashini, who is keen to pursue tertiary education.
She expressed her gratefulness for the lending scheme as it would benefit both of them in getting basic education.
"This initiative for my sister will help lessen our family’s burden. I hope she will not have to go through what I did," said Subashini.
RYTHM is accepting proposals for financial grants from now until August 2022 via email at [email protected]. - BERNAMA
