Donations are made to orphans as part of a yearly project run by the Community Development Department (JAPEM). For the past three decades, orphans have been invited to receive contributions from members of the public through the National Orphanage Fund (NOF).

Such a tradition owes itself to the existence of caring and thoughtful communities throughout the nation and their concern towards the welfare of orphans. Over the years, several charity bodies have been formed and numerous corporate organisations have come forward to help fulfill the needs of the orphans.

A total donation of B$115,800 for orphans in the Belait and Tutong Districts was presented to heads of villages from the two districts in a ceremony held yesterday at the Kuala Belait Banquet Hall (Dewan Santap).

The donation was an allocation of a national cash contribution totalling $333,150, of which $222,100 came from the National Orphanage Fund and the remaining $111,050 was contributed by BIBD Berhad. The NOF and BIBD contributed $77,600 and $38,200, respectively, to yesterday’s donation for the Belait and Tutong Districts.

Present to distribute the donation to the heads of villages yesterday were the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Dr Awg Hj Ahmad bin Hj Jumat, and the Minister of Development, Pehin Orang Kaya Hamzah Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Abdullah bin Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar, in his capacity as Chairman of the BIBD Board of Directors.

The Deputy Director of JAPEM, Dyg Hjh Misnah binti Hj Bolhassan in her welcoming remarks at the ceremony said the care and responsibility portrayed by the public signifies the commitment among the public towards the welfare and interests of the orphans in the country.

She added that for the past five years, donations for orphans could be made in the holy month of Ramadhan through the SMS Brunei Prihatin project jointly organised by JAPEM, RTB, DST Group and b.mobile.

Aside from allowing donors to channel their contributions to the fund, the project also provides the opportunity to all members of the public – including youths and senior citizens – to donate to the fund in a bid to financially assist the orphans in the country.

“This year, 2,221 orphans in the country below the age of 18 will receive cash contributions from the National Orphanage Fund and BIBD,” said Dyg Hjh Misnah. “From the number, 300 orphans are from the Belait District while 472 are from Tutong District.

They will receive the cash donation through their respective heads of villages.”

A presentation of donations for 1,351 orphans in the Brunei-Muara District and 98 orphans in the Temburong District took place on Wednesday.

“The total cash contribution to orphans in the country from the National Orphanage Fund is $222,100 while BIBD contributed $111,050,” said the Deputy Director of JAPEM.

“From the total contribution, the National Orphanage Fund has allocated $77,200, and BIBD, $38,600, for orphans in the Belait and Tutong Districts.

“This year, the donation to orphans will be made through their respective villages in a move to reduce the health risk among the children,” she added.

In concluding her speech, the deputy director expressed her hope that village leaders, as representatives accepting the donations on behalf of the orphans, will distribute the donation to the recipients prior to the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration.

Members of the public who wish to donate to the National Orphanage Fund can make an SMS contribution by typing YATIM (without space) followed by the sum of money they wish to donate such as 1,5,10,15 or 20 and sending it to 38111 (for both b.mobile and DST customers). Donors can also contribute via the WAP Portal.

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