The Pengiran Muda Mahkota Al-Muhtadee Billah Fund for Orphans (DANA) distributed BND190,260 worth of coupons for school supplies to benefit 2,718 orphans in a ceremony held on Monday at the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex in the capital.
The coupons were handed over to the respective Acting District Officers by Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohammad Isham bin Haji Jaafar, who serves as the Deputy Chairman of the DANA Board of Trustees. The event was witnessed by Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, as the Chairman of the DANA Board of Trustees, and Permanent Secretary (Planning, Land Use and Environment) at the Ministry of Development Dr. Dayang Nor Imtihan binti Haji Abdul Razak, Acting Chief Executive Officer of DANA.
The coupons, valued at BND70 each, are intended to help orphans purchase essential school supplies for the upcoming 2025 academic year, which begins in about a month. The recipients include orphans registered under DANA who are not part of the National Welfare System (SKN) and do not receive assistance from other agencies.
The coupons were distributed to the Acting District Officers as follows:
Brunei-Muara District – 1,877 recipients, represented by Acting District Officer Awang Mohammad Sofian bin Haji Basri.
Belait District – 326 recipients, represented by Acting District Officer Awang Haji Amirol Hafidzin bin Haji Muhammad.
Tutong District – 376 recipients, represented by Acting District Officer Awangku Arif Anuar bin Pengiran Haji Ahmed.
Temburong District – 139 recipients, represented by Acting District Officer Awang Hassan Baha bin Haji Umar.
The coupons will subsequently be distributed to the orphans through their respective village heads.
The coupons can be redeemed at 25 participating companies across all four districts. These companies provide a range of school-related items, including exercise books, workbooks, stationery, school uniforms, bags, and shoes. For younger orphans who are not yet in school, the coupons can also be used to purchase daily necessities.
The coupons are valid for use at schools under the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Religious Affairs, and private institutions.
Of the 25 participating companies, 11 companies have pledged to donate 5 per cent of their sales proceeds from coupon redemptions back to DANA, further supporting the fund’s initiatives.
The initiative aims to instill a sense of appreciation for education among orphans, encouraging them to value learning and strive for academic excellence. For parents and guardians, the assistance helps ease the financial burden of preparing for the new school term. It is hoped that this contribution will be fully utilised by both orphans and their families. – James Kon
