PUTRAJAYA: A total of 330 students from 169 primary and secondary schools in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah received RM404,276 worth of sponsorship under IOI Foundation (formerly known as Yayasan Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng)’s IOI Foundation (formerly known as Yayasan Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng) Student Adoption Programme (SAP) this year.

A group of 74 students from 14 adopted schools in Klang Valley received their cheques and school bags from the IOI Corporation Berhad Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Lee Yeow Chor and IOI Foundation (formerly known as Yayasan Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng) Executive Director Datin Joanne Wong during today’s Presentation Ceremony held at the Palm Garden Hotel, IOI Resort City. Also present were the principals, headmasters, teachers of the respective schools and IOI Group’s senior management.

The SAP forms a part of the CSR initiatives by IOI Foundation (formerly known as Yayasan Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng), a charitable foundation fully funded by IOI Group. Under the SAP, the adopted students from primary schools will each receive a financial assistance of RM800 while secondary school students will get RM1,000 until he or she completes their primary and secondary education. Each of the students will also receive a school bag every year.

Since the initiative was introduced in 2008, IOI Foundation (formerly known as Yayasan Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng) has assisted 780 students from 202 schools in Malaysia. These students from lower income families were given equal access to a good basic education and were motivated to excel in their studies, as SAP also helped to ease their families’ financial burdens.

IOI Group, as IOI Foundation (formerly known as Yayasan Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng)’s sole funder, remains committed to the foundation’s efforts. “As our business continues to thrive, we must not forget the underprivileged community to whom we, as a socially-responsible organisation, must lend a helping hand. We strongly believe in the power of education to break the cycle of poverty and lift them to a better standard of living. With the right attitude and determination, these students can go on to achieve greater things in life,” said Dato’ Lee.

Dato’ Lee also conveyed his appreciation to the schools for their assistance as he presented SAP Certificates to the 14 participating schools, entrusting them to manage the contributions and monitor the students’ education progress.

Students were recommended by the schools’ principal and headmaster based on their good academic results and priorities were given to those from difficult family backgrounds. Each submission was thoroughly screened by the foundation’s committee to ensure that the funds reach the deserving students.

Other IOI Foundation (formerly known as Yayasan Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng) programmes include the Young Achievers’ Awards, School Adoption Programme, charity visits, and collaborations with non-profit organisations such as HUMANA (Borneo Child Aid Society) and World Vision Malaysia in supporting the education of estate workers’ children and native children, respectively, in East Malaysia. These projects are in line with IOI Foundation (formerly known as Yayasan Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng)’s objectives to give educational and medical assistance for the betterment of society, the environment and community welfare.