Freemasons' Generous Donation Fuels PJHA's School Breakfast Program: From Pandemic Relief to Supporting Education and Nutrition for B40 Communities

by  W Bro Balakrishnan Eliatamby

Baldwyn Lowick Lodge 7004 E.C., Kuala Lumpur

Editor's Note:

The Chinese have a saying: "Food is the primary need of the people. (民以食为天,)" And it is customary for the Chinese to greet each other with, "Have you eaten? (你吃饱了吗?)" This reflects the deep importance of food and addressing hunger. The following article illustrates how, even in 2024, there are still people in need of basic necessities and how Freemasons continue to support charitable efforts to alleviate hunger.

The Petaling Jaya Hindu Association ("PJHA"), which manages the Sri Sithi Vinayagar Temple situated along Jalan Selangor, Petaling Jaya, set up a special fund during the Covid Pandemic to assist families affected by the pandemic.

During this period, food bundles were distributed to many needy families. Responses from the community and devotees of the temple were indeed extremely encouraging.

However, despite the pandemic being declared over and public life returning to normal, there were still appeals from the B40 communities for continued assistance. In response to this need, and after careful consideration by the management committee of PJHA, a new program was initiated to support and adopt a nearby Tamil school, SJKT Saraswathy, located at km 10, Jalan Klang Lama. One of these initiatives was to refurbish the school laboratory with new desks and chairs.

These were the Tables and Chairs donated to Sarawathy Tamil School's Science Laboratory

We pay RM 3.00.per child per day for about 40 to 50 students

The PJHA also initiated a breakfast program for the school children, ensuring they could attend classes without going hungry. This proved to be a success, with a total of 40-50 children benefiting from the program. Though donors for this program were supportive, rising costs of essentials were depleting the funds available for this noble initiative.

An appeal to Baldwyn Lowick Lodge, Centenarian Lee Keng Hong Lodge, and senior brethren from the District resulted in a combined donation from the Lodges and DGLEA amounting to RM23,000.00. These funds enabled the Association to continue the breakfast program at least until the school term is completed in March 2025.

The Management Committee of PJHA is extremely appreciative of the support from Baldwyn Lowick Lodge, Centenarian Lee Keng Hong Lodge, and the District Grand Lodge of the Eastern Archipelago for their support of this program.

The RM 20,000.00 mock cheque was presented by W. Bro. Stephen Paul Francis- Worshipful Master of Baldwyn Lowick Lodge 7004 E.C.

The RM 3,000.00 mock cheque was presented by W. Bro. Kalyana Rajasekaran Teagarajan –Worshipful Master of Centenarian Lee Keng Hong Lodge 9861E.C.