James Kon
Over BND300,000 was collected in last year’s SMS Brunei Prihatin for Orphans Fund, a three-fold increase compared to previous years usually around BND100,000.
This was stated by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin during the launch of this year’s SMS Brunei Prihatin for Orphans Fund at the VIP Lounge of Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium recently.
“We are grateful that the three telcos are involved in this year’s SMS Brunei Prihatin for Orphans Fund,” the minister said.
Members of the public can help orphans in the country by sending a donation via Short Message Service (SMS) through the three Telcos – DST, Progresif and imagine – by typing YATIM (without space) and followed by the amount of donation which are 1, 5, 10 , 15, 50 or 100 from April 8 to July 8.
As an example, type YATIM20 for donation of BND20 and send to 38111 for DST and Progresif subscribers or to 39999 for imagine subscribers.
The minister added, “The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) will see to it that the donation will not only be given as a one-off during the month of Ramadhan for the Hari Raya celebrations, but also for studies and other things. We need to change the strategy to be beneficial for orphans, especially when it comes to education.”
SMS Brunei Prihatin is an annual project organised by the MCYS through the Community Development Department with Radio Television Brunei (RTB), DST, Progresif and imagine.
Deputy Permanent Secretary (Community) at the MCYS Saidah binti Haji Wahid, Acting Director of Community Development Pengiran Siti Rahmah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh and officials from Radio Television Brunei, DST, Progresif and imagine were also present.
The project has been running since 2005 and have been well-received by the public.
Last year, SMS Brunei Prihatin for Orphans Fund collected BND350,824 between May 2 and July 31.