Saturday Metro 29/03/2008
HELP SUSTAIN NGO PROJECT By SYLVIA
TOOI
With just a small amount of money, generous Malaysian can help
sustain a community project which provides free computer lesson
for under-privileged children.
The project is spearheaded by Pertubuhan Prihatin Sosial Malaysia
(PPSM), which is currently giving free desktop publishing lessons
to children around Chemor, about 15km form Ipoh,Perak.
But the project cost RM 4000 a month which is now borne by members
of the non-governmental organization.
PPSM vice-president R.Ramanitharan said that project started
in January last year with RM 255000 one-off grant from Samsung
Malaysia Electronics which was used to buy 15 computers while
Cisco System Malaysia provided wireless networking equipment.
“Our survey found that about 70% of youths in Chemor do
not continue with their studies after form 5.
“They enter the working world with out any training and
majority of them have no exposure to ICT knowledge.” He
said, adding that the youths faced difficulties in their transition
to the labour market.
Ramanitharan noted that lack of ICT training had been associated
with youth unemployment.
He said the programme had benefited 350 youth of whim 50 had
enrolled for certificate of diploma programme in local institutes
while 20 became apprentices in companies around ipoh.
Besides conducting the computer lessons, he said PPSM also invited
government bodies such as MARA and the Manpower Department to
give talks on training and job opportunities.
Ramanitharan said PPSM was now facing difficulties sustaining
the project and hoped the public could chip in to help.
“We have written to more than 100 companies appealing to
them for help but 90% of them don’t bother to respond.
“Those who replied said they have their own community programme,”
he said on Wednesday.
To help and for details on the project, visit www.prihatinmalaysia.org
One of the recipients of the project, Sharifah Zahana Syed Redzwan,
13,expressed her happiness at being able to learn about desktop
publishing.
“With the new knowledge, I made folders for my school project,”
said the form One student of SMK Dato Haji Mohd Taib in Chemor.
