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SINGAPORE – The economic recession caused by the pandemic has not deterred businessman Mohamed Abdul Jaleel from committing $ 500,000 to support students from needy Singaporean families.
Jaleel, founder and CEO of Mini Environment Service Group, told The Straits Times: “Whether it’s a good time or a bad time, education is an important area. Student money is just as important, so I think not they should stay out of the privilege no matter what the financial situation is.
“I hope the students realize that there are people who have helped them through the bad days and that one day, in turn, they will contribute to society.”
On Wednesday (December 16), Mr. Jaleel presented The Straits Times School’s Pocket Money Fund with a check for $ 500,000, bringing the total amount donated by him since 2010 to $ 4.5 million.
The fund began on Children’s Day on October 1, 2000 and has disbursed more than $ 80 million and has helped around 180,000 students from families whose gross monthly household income per capita does not exceed $ 690.
This year, about $ 11 million will be awarded to some 10,000 beneficiaries, from elementary school students to students from the Institute of Technical Education, university colleges and polytechnics. The amount is higher than usual as this year there have been much higher disbursements due to the pandemic.
For example, the fund launched a special payment of $ 100 in October to help some 10,000 students weather the crisis.
Schools and social service agencies also selected about 2,000 students for a $ 500 electronic grant to purchase Challenger or Harvey Norman products to help them with learning at home.
Fund Chairman Warren Fernandez, who is also editor of The Straits Times and editor-in-chief of English, Malay, Tamil Media Group of Singapore Press Holdings, said: “Given the economic situation and job cuts, we have seen an increase in the number of people who come to us, we do our best to help as many people as possible, even using our reserves.
“The good news is that the more we tried to help, the more donors came to us to contribute. We were reassured that Singaporeans saw that what we were doing was valuable and that we were making a good contribution.”
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