| Hakim Hayat |
THE success in alleviating poverty has come a step closer with the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) planning to expand its Asnaf Zakat Empowerment Programme (PROPAZ) by introducing agricultural training progammes and working closely with grassroots community councils to help empower underprivileged individuals.
The move to expand the ministry’s pilot programme to eradicate poverty in the country was announced by the Deputy Secretary of the Brunei Islamic Religious Council (MUIB) Haji Abdul Aziz bin Haji Akop yesterday.
The PROPAZ scheme, first incepted in 2007 aims to empower needy individuals and their families through innovative means of training and skill acquisitions through internships at the Youth Development Centre and other channels, and is fully funded by MUIB which gets its funding through Zakat money collection nationwide.
Speaking at the launch of a PROPAZ initiative for 13 underprivileged youths in collaboration with Perbadanan Tabung Amanah Islam Brunei (TAIB), Haji Abdul Aziz said that for a start in the agricultural training, the programme will be introducing simple techniques for farming chilli, which he said has a good and steady demand and is easy to grow.
He also said that they are looking at working closely with Mukim and village consultative councils to integrate programmes that would help participants take part in the ‘One Village, One Product’ initiatives in respective area of councils.
Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs, Dato Paduka Awang Haji Abdul Mokti bin Haji Mohd Daud handing over a gift to one of the participants
Deputy Secretary of the Brunei Islamic Religious Council, Haji Abdul Aziz bin Haji Akop delivers his speech
Hajah Norrafidah binti Sulaiman, Acting Managing Director of TAIB at the event
Participants of the PROPAZ programme at the event. – PHOTOS: HAKIIM HAYAT
The launch of the three-day programme, held in conjunction with TAIB’s 25th anniversary at The Airport Mall in Berakas, was witnessed by Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs, Dato Paduka Awang Haji Abdul Mokti bin Haji Mohd Daud, who also handed over gifts to all the participants to mark the start of the programme.
Among the programme’s objectives is to provide under-privileged youths the platform to build self-esteem and understand their potential to succeed either in a workplace or in entrepre-neurship.
Hajah Norrafidah binti Sulaiman, Acting Managing Director of TAIB, in her speech said that this self-development programme will help them expand their focus from providing service to collect Zakat to supporting PROPAZ’s objectives in enhancing knowledge and skills to help the underprivileged youths find jobs or get the confidence to start up their own business.
The programme includes topics such as financial planning, basic entrepreneurship clinic, brainstorming session as well as Fardhu Ain and Fardhu Kifayah activities. The speakers comprise financial experts and successful entrepreneurs from Brunei and also overseas.
TAIB said it hopes to see the participants make positive changes in their lives through the programme.
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