BT donates Xmas auction proceeds to Pertapis

Singapore

THE Islamic Theological Association of Singapore (Pertapis) will soon be able to expand its educational initiatives for children from low-income families, thanks to a S$20,500 donation from The Business Times. The sum was raised during BT's annual Christmas party-cum-charity auction last December, from both staff and associates.

Pertapis, an organisation dedicated to helping former drug addicts, juvenile delinquents and low-income families within the Muslim community, will use part of the funds to increase the enrolment of a tuition programme launched last year which now boasts more than 60 regular attendees from low-income families.

"Our focus is on the children. We need to give the best possible education for the children, to stop the low-income cycle," said Rashidah Rashid, a senior project executive at the Pertapis Education and Welfare Centre.

The tuition programme runs weekly and focuses on one-to-one learning, with class sizes maxing out at three to four students per tutor.

According to corporate affairs manager Norasimah Sujai, the small class sizes are essential as many of the children - they range from kindergarteners to secondary school students - have trouble focusing in large classes. However, smaller classes are more expensive to run as more tutors are needed, which is how the donation from BT will come in useful, Ms Norasimah said.

"It is a very generous amount and we are so grateful for the thoughtful effort put in by the staff and management of BT," she adds.

Said Alvin Tay, editor of The Business Times: "The Christmas charity auction has been a BT tradition for many years. Each year, we seek out a worthy charity, across the diverse segments. We're glad this time to be able to support Pertapis and the work it is doing within the Muslim community."