Founder of Yayasan Chow Kit (YCK) and Vice President of Voice of the Children Datuk Dr Hartini Zainudin, has seen first-hand the difficult conditions faced by many families — from sleeping on the streets to going hungry, or children missing out on school so they can earn money to survive.
Now, with the ongoing pandemic and various MCO restrictions, many sources of income have dried up, making the situation even more dire.
Having worked with various communities of high-risk children while abroad, Dr Hartini decided to apply her experience locally by setting up YCK in 2007 to care for the needs of children and youth that call the streets home.
“Children have so much potential yet many do not have the opportunities that would enable them to develop their interests and natural abilities. After what I had seen, in the US and at home, I just want to make a difference in their lives,” she said.
Despite limited resources, YCK offers day-care for young kids so they have a safe place to stay while their parents go to work; similarly, a youth centre gives older children an alternative to roaming the streets.
YCK also reaches out to those who are homeless, struggling with substance abuse, or lacking in official documentation that would legally entitle them to get an education or a job, and perform simple acts that most Malaysians take for granted such as opening a bank account, having access to medical care or even getting married.
“The families I work with, the communities they come from, live under a state of constant struggle, and on top of this they are often presumed to be lazy or unwilling to work, which couldn’t be further from the truth.
“They have hopes and dreams like any other, especially for their children whom they hope will have a better life,” Dr Hartini said.
At YCK, education is also a key focus as it can open doors to greater opportunities and help to break the cycle of poverty, leading Dr Hartini to support the Dutch Lady #DanaRM1JutaHarapan campaign.
The Dutch Lady #DanaRM1JutaHarapan campaign offers parents the chance to win a Skim Simpanan Pendidikan National (SSPN-i) education fund worth RM25,000 for their children.
The total fund is valued at RM1,000,000, allowing up to 40 children to benefit, with consolation prizes of 160 smart devices to support children’s online learning.
Education can make all the difference in the life of a child and Dr Hartini has nominated several children. Among them is an 8-year-old boy, Farish who demonstrates great enthusiasm in both school and extra-curricular activities and dreams of a career in professional football.
Others include Ayu Najiha, a talented young artist and winner of a student excellence award who dreams of becoming a doctor; and Putri Damia Batrisya, an aspiring lawyer with real fighting spirit, who already holds a green belt in taekwondo.
These children come from impoverished backgrounds, but Dr Hartini believes that they should be given an equal chance to get the education that they hope for and deserve.
Speaking on behalf of the campaign organisers, Managing Director of Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad Tarang Gupta said that Dutch Lady has always been committed to giving children a strong start in life, with nutritional dairy products that support children through different stages of development.
"We also believe in the value of holistic growth, with a nurturing environment so that children can reach their full potential. In this way, the Dutch Lady #DanaRM1JutaHarapan campaign is our way of helping to make a difference in the lives of children,” he said.
Dr Hartini said that despite their humble and difficult lives, children demonstrate drive and great ambition.
"The children I work with are hungry for the chance to transform their lives and the lives of their families. Given the opportunity, who can say what they will accomplish?” she questioned.
You too can help children to secure a more bright future through education. Visit this website for more information on how you can nominate a child to win a RM25,000 SSPN-i education fund or smart devices that could facilitate their online education. Nominations ends 30 May 2021 so hurry!