Sharing Ramadan Blessings With Underprivileged Children
Ramadan is about sharing with the less fortunate and a time to spare a thought for underprivileged children living in welfare homes and orphanages. This Ramadan, Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd (F&NHB) hopes to bring festive excitement to 44 children from Rumah Bakti Cahaya Hati by hosting a delightful buka puasa treat for the kids, which offered them a chance to enjoy a sumptuous spread of delicious food and create beautiful memories during the holy month.
Located in Rawang, Selangor, Rumah Bakti Cahaya Hati provides shelter, food and education to 29 boys and 15 girls, aged between one and 14 years old. Rumah Bakti Cahaya Hati depends on public donations and sales of handmade donuts and murukku as a means of self-sustenance to support the children and the upkeep of the home.
Giving back to the less fortunate is a strong part of the corporate values of F&NHB and every year, the Group identifies and reaches out to homes in dire need of help, in the hopes of spreading Ramadan joy to underprivileged children by giving them the same opportunity to celebrate the fasting month and the Hari Raya festivity like other kids their age.
Speaking at the event held at the Concorde Hotel Shah Alam, F&NHB’s Head of Communications & Corporate Affairs, Karen Tan said that Ramadan is a much revered and blessed month for Muslims, and the Group has a long tradition of supporting and celebrating children who are in need during the holy month as part of F&NHB’s commitment to giving back to the less fortunate members of the community that it operates in.
“F&N holds a special place in the hearts of Malaysians and has been a part of their daily lives for the past 136 years especially during festive seasons. As a well-trusted brand, F&N is deeply touched and grateful for the strong support from Malaysians throughout the years and is dedicated to doing our bit to ease the burden of those in need. “It is heartwarming to see the smiles on the children’s faces as they enjoy the buka puasa feast and receive goodies for the upcoming Hari Raya celebration. We hope that our contribution will in some way make the children more excited about enjoying the beauty of Ramadan and welcoming the Hari Raya festivity just like other members of society,” Tan added.
During the event, F&NHB Chairman, Tengku Syed Badarudin Jamalullail presented all 44 children of Rumah Bakti Cahaya Hati with new baju Melayu, baju kurung, tudung and songkok in addition to duit raya to enable the kids to celebrate a livelier and extra special Hari Raya this year.
Ahmad Naqib Faroha, 11, from Rumah Bakti Cahaya Hati said that he was thrilled to have experienced his first ever buka puasa treat with F&N. “I was amazed at the wide range of food and different types of F&N drinks available. I had such a fun time with my friends in a jovial atmosphere and will always cherish this moment,” he said.
Meanwhile, 11-year-old Nur Anisah Nurdin could not contain her excitement as she enjoyed the feast with her friends. “I am thankful for the opportunity to be celebrating Ramadan with F&N and my friends. I really love the tasty buffet spread especially my favourite chicken satay and F&N Cincau drink. I am delighted to have received the goodies and duit raya, and I can’t wait to wear my new baju kurung and tudung for Hari Raya!” she exclaimed.
The children of Rumah Bakti Cahaya Hati delivered two short traditional dance performances at the event. They also mingled with the warm and friendly F&N staff while enjoying the tasty spread of dishes, served with a variety of F&N beverages.
Guests received goodie bags filled with homemade murukku, specially made by the staff of Rumah Bakti Cahaya Hati so that they can enjoy the fruits of the home’s labour which serve as a source of income to meet the daily needs of the children and maintenance of the home.
Besides the buka puasa dinner and Hari Raya goodies, F&NHB contributed a 16kg washing machine and a 10-litre rice cooker to Rumah Bakti Cahaya Hati to help lessen the home residents’ weight in carrying out their daily household chores.
Puan Zainurinah Che’ Mat, the manager of Rumah Bakti Cahaya Hati expressed her appreciation to F&NHB for its contributions to the children and the home. “The kids rarely get to experience such a wonderful treat in a beautiful setting and we are really humbled and thankful for the opportunity and memorable celebration. It is truly touching to see the children’s happy faces especially now, as they look forward to trying out their new outfits on the first day of Hari Raya,” said Puan Zainurinah.
F&NHB has been celebrating Ramadan with underprivileged children since 2004 by organising buka puasa sessions for them and treating them to Hari Raya goodies in the hopes of spreading festive cheer to underprivileged children during the fasting month. Last year, F&NHB celebrated 80 children from Rumah Baitus Sakinah in Sepang, Selangor and continues to provide assistance to the home this Ramadan by contributing an AEON voucher worth RM1,000 to enable it to purchase basic necessities, in addition to kuih and kurma for the kids during the fasting month.