Kuala Lumpur: A total of 25 children and teenagers from Pusat Jagaan Al-Fakeh, Sabak Bernam, were treated to festive cheer today, through the ‘Sepatu Raya’ programme, a longstanding initiative by the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) in conjunction with Aidilfitri.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Bernama’s chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin said the programme, organised by the Association of Women and Wives of Bernama Employees (Benita), now in its 14th year, reflects the news agency’s commitment to celebrating and bringing the festive spirit of Aidilfitri closer to orphans and underprivileged children.
‘I also hope that the blessings of this Ramadan will help us (Bernama) and Benita to obtain ‘pahala’ (rewards),’ she said when met at the programme, at the Bata store in Ampang Point Shopping Centre, today.
Also present to assist the 25 residents of the welfare home, in selecting new shoes for Aidilfitri, were Bernama deputy editor-in-chief (News Service) Nasriah Darus and deputy editor-in-chief (Economic News Service) Azlina Aziz.
Nur-ul Afida said that the programme, a corporate social responsibility initiative by Bernama, has benefited more than 600 orphans and asnafs, aged between two and 17, since its inception.
‘I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the contributors of the ‘Sepatu Raya’ programme, including Bernama staff and Benita members. Thank you for bringing joy and happiness to these orphans and asnafs,’ she said.
Meanwhile, Bata Malaysia marketing head Iman Zulkifli expressed pride in providing a ‘private shopping experience’ for the children of Pusat Jagaan Al-Fakeh, allowing them to personally select their shoes for Aidilfitri this year.
‘We (Bata) offer a wide range of styles and designs, making this a wonderful opportunity for the children to experience the joy of Raya with their new shoes,’ Iman said.
A resident of the home, Muhammad Alif Haikal Abdullah, 14, expressed his joy at being celebrated and given the chance to personally choose his new shoes for the first day of Aidilfitri.
Sharing the same excitement, his friend Nur Najila Qaisara Annur, 11, said that she couldn’t wait to pair her new shoes with her raya dress.