11 orphans recognised for academic excellence

Third SMS Brunei Prihatin launched after raising $108,000

ELEVEN orphans were recognised yesterday for academic excellence by the Pengiran Muda Mahkota Al-Muhtadee Billah Fund for Orphans (Dana) as it launched the third phase of a text messaging donation drive which so far had raised more than $100,000.

Dana introduced the Excellent Student Incentive Award to honour students who obtained excellent results in sitting for their public exams this year and as part of its ongoing mission to further efforts in promoting the welfare and education of orphans in Brunei Darussalam.

The orphans received certificates of appreciation, a computer desktop and a two-year financial assistance to help them buy school clothes as well as books.

Dana Chief Executive Officer Dato Paduka Hj Ali Hashim Hj Daud said the incentive award "was set up to remind the students of the importance of education" as well as to motivate them to further their studies to improve their future and help their families.

He said the third SMS donation drive will continue for the next 60 days until February 15.

He said total proceeds from the SMS Brunei Prihatin 2008 amounted to $108,469 against the $98,069 raised in the previous year.

Dato Paduka Hj Ali Hashim thanked those who contributed to the fund and for helping improve the welfare of the sultanate's orphans.

Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Hj Abu Bakar Hj Apong, the Minister of Communications-cum-chairman of the board of directors for Dana, officiated the launch of the donation drive and also presented the students with the award.

During the launch, the DST group, represented by Hj Bahrin Abdullah, chairperson of DST Group, turned over a mock cheque amounting to $75,973 to Dana, while B-Mobile Telecommunications, represented by Hjh Noorul Baiyinah Hj Kassim, B-Mobile chairperson, turned over $32,496.

Radio Television Brunei or RTB also backed the donation drive by disseminating information to the public.

Under the drive, donations can be sent via text messages by typing in Dana followed by the amount donated (1, 5, 10, 15 or 20), with no space in between, and send it to 8885555 for DST subscribers, and 10101 for B-Mobile users, or through the wap portal.

The launch was held at the Multipurpose Hall of the Yayasan Sultan Hj Hassanal Bolkiah Secondary School, Jln Kebangsaan.