Unflinching effort in transforming the lives of over 15,000 underprivileged children, including migrants and stateless children for over 25 years earned Dignity for Children Foundation a name in the history books as the June winner of the National Press Club of Malaysia (NPC)-Macrokiosk Muhibbah Awards.
It was recognised for providing holistic care and education and offering practical and business skills for urban poor children in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.
In receiving the award today, its co-founder Rev. Elisha Satvinder said the story of Dignity was beyond education.
“It is about equipping underprivileged children with skills that will not just make them employable but also change their lives,” said Elisha.
“Starting Dignity was accidental. We (referring to co-founder Petrina Shee) were studying abroad, and when we returned, we thought of starting a church.
“But things took a turn as we met many children from poor families in Sentul, some unable to spell their names.”
Elisha said it was easy to put a child in a classroom and mock them for being unable to write without knowing their background.
“But what if the child’s father is an alcoholic, and the mother is trying to put a meal on the table?
“When the kids go to school, do you think they are thinking about their studies? This is why we have so many school dropouts and why the poor have become my professors,” he said.
Shee, meanwhile, said Dignity had come a long way since its inception in 1998 when they rented only one floor at Sentul Raya Boulevard for 20 children.
Today, it operates several blocks in the business square, catering to over 2,300 children from over 25 nationalities, aged between two-18 years old. It is also one of the largest and most comprehensive learning centres for the underprivileged in Malaysia.
The non-governmental organisation provides holistic care and education for urban poor and marginalised children from preschool (Montessori) to primary and secondary to the Cambridge IGCSE or vocational (transformational enterprises in food, sewing, hairdressing and farming) qualifications.
“We hope more people will come forward to improve the lives of these children who deserve a better tomorrow,” said Shee, adding that Dignity would hold a fundraising dinner on Sept 30 with the hope of raising RM2.5 million to support 2,500 students next year.
NPC president Datuk Ahiruddin Attan commended Dignity for its work over the last 25 years.
“The award to Dignity extends beyond the traditional meaning of muhibbah,” he said.
“We hope others will support Dignity’s good work.”
Macrokiosk CEO Datuk Kenny Goh congratulated and praised Dignity for its efforts in breaking the poverty cycle through transformative education.
“We hope this award will continue to inspire others and impact the future generation to inculcate muhibbah as a way of life,” said Goh.
Launched in April, the Muhibbah Awards aim to recognise everyday individuals, groups, and organisations that best personify the true spirit of muhibbah in Malaysia.
All six winners will win a cash prize of RM2,000 each.
The award’s main sponsor is Macrokiosk, an enterprise solutions platform company headquartered in Asia.
The winners also receive vouchers and gift cards from top regional lifestyle tea brand Tealive, supermarket chain Jaya Grocer and yoghurt franchise brand llaollao.
Last month, Saidina Abu Bakar As-Siddiq Mosque was named the inaugural winner of the Muhibbah Awards for inviting a Sikh doctor to present a lecture to its congregation during Ramadan this year on how to quit smoking.
