Coca-Cola Malaysia hosts iftar programme for asnaf and orphaned students at Yayasan Basmi Kemiskinan
The event brought together asnaf families and orphaned secondary students from YBK.
SERENDAH – Coca-Cola Malaysia recently partnered with Sinar Harian for a heartwarming Iftar programme, Jaulah Iftar Rewang, in Serendah, bringing together asnaf families and orphaned secondary students from Yayasan Basmi Kemiskinan (YBK).
Halimaton reflected on YBK’s journey, tracing its roots to its establishment by former Prime Minister Tun Najib Abdul Razak. Initially opened as an asnaf and orphanage centre in 1992, the institution began with just 64 students in 1994 and has since expanded to 116 students today, with a proud alumni network of over 1,800 individuals.
“We are happy to receive assistance from Coca-Cola Malaysia and need more programmes like this to help the students and let them know that their lives do not end with just being an orphan. “The activities provided by Coca-Cola Malaysia have lifted their spirits and inspired them to study harder to achieve their dreams,” she said.
Expressing her gratitude to Coca-Cola Malaysia, she hoped that corporations, including Coca-Cola Malaysia, would continue such CSR initiatives that not only help secure necessities for students but also motivate them to achieve excellence holistically.
Speaking on behalf of YBK chairman Zainal Abidin Sakom, Halimaton emphasised the importance of uplifting underprivileged students and providing them with better opportunities for the future.
Meanwhile, Syazwan shared that Coca-Cola Malaysia has been running this initiative for several years, reaching different communities with each programme to extend its impact.
“Last week, we catered to the families of Shah Alam firemen, and today, it is the students of YBK’s Asrama Kasih.
“YBK is a great starting point for Coca-Cola Malaysia, and we aim to continue this initiative to help more of the Malaysian community who are less fortunate.
“These students are the future of Malaysia, so it is important that we help them.
“For Ramadan alone, we have many other programmes like this planned ahead, such as providing iftar meals and food baskets to local mosques and underprivileged communities, as well as collaborating with NGOs to conduct workshops to empower economic and leadership skills among university students,” he said.
Syazwan expressed his hope that the programme would bring joy to the students while also reassuring them that corporate institutions are committed to supporting their success, regardless of the challenges they face.
The event also featured a pizza-making session hosted by Roadside Pizza, allowing the students to participate.
The pizzas they made were then enjoyed during the iftar session, along with other dishes and beverages sponsored by Coca-Cola Malaysia.
Before the Iftar session began, Coca-Cola Malaysia held a symbolic cheque handover ceremony, presenting RM2,000 to YBK in support of the initiative’s mission.
The donation was received by YBK representative, Halimaton alongside a special ‘duit raya’ distribution for the Asrama Kasih students, adding a festive touch before they gathered to enjoy the Iftar meal.
Student Muhammad Rizwan Pajar, 16, said that learning how to make pizza was an interesting part of the programme since it was the first time he had witnessed such an activity.
“I am thankful for the programme for conducting such a noble initiative.
“It has helped students who are less privileged, and I hope other companies can do the same,” he said.
Meanwhile, student Nurul Sumayya Hamid, 17, said that she is always happy when there are programmes like this because they bring students closer together.
“Open iftar allows us to eat together like a family. I am happy that Coca-Cola Malaysia visited our hostel,” she said.
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