KUCHING – Children under the care of a non-governmental organisation were treated to a breaking of fast and given “duit raya” by the students and staff of Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, recently.
A selection of traditional Malay food was specially catered for the 40-odd children, aged around five to 12, of Pusat Kebajikan dan Pendidikan Nur Murni at its main centre in Batu Kawa.
The NGO cares for underprivileged children up to the age of 16. Its six centres in Kuching look after about 70 children.
The breaking of fast, or “Iftar”, started with a “nasyid” performance by some of the children dressed in their best Hari Raya Aidilfitri attire. The performance, although unplanned, was a delight to the visitors.
The Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Swinburne Sarawak Professor Anthony Cahalan presented each of the children with “duit raya”, token sums of money traditionally given at Hari Raya Aidilfitri, the festival which marks the end of Ramadan.
“Swinburne Sarawak believes in contributing to the community. Events such as this one are certainly close to our hearts. This is the fourth year we have organised Iftar for the less fortunate,” said Mohamed Hisyam Jamal Mohamed, an Assistant Manager with the university’s Student Operations Division.
Sharing Hisyam’s sentiment was first year foundation student Ahmad Naqiuddin Ahmad Zaharil.
“It is rather sad not to be with your family during the holy month. Unlike some of these children, I will be home with my loved ones for the Hari Raya holidays but they have no one else,” said the 21-year old from Selangor.
“So, I am glad to have the chance to be here.”
Also in attendance were Swinburne Sarawak’s Registrar and Director of Student Operations Haji Hussain bin Taiban, and Director for Government and External Liaison Datu Julaihi Haji Bujang.
The Australian branch campus has worked with charitable organisations such as the Cheshire Home, The Salvation Army Children’s Home and Sarawak Orphans Welfare Association in giving back to the community.