JOHOR BAHRU: When SJK(T) Ladang Kulai Besar made a desperate plea to a Rotary Club here for a donation of stationery and papers, little did they anticipate their plea would be turned down.

However, when another rotary club, the Rotary Club of Puteri Lagoon (RCPL), became aware of Ladang Kulai Besar’s desperate need, RCPL reacted positively with alacrity.

The school had put in a plea for A4 size papers and whiteboard markers for the purpose of setting examinations and the printing of notes.

The school has an enrolment of 800 students and is located in a sub-urban area. Most of the students are from low-income families.

The huge number of students meant that usage of white board markers and papers was huge.

School headmistress P Visaletchumy Perumal said the teachers continuously print notes and exercises for the students.

According to Visaletchumy, the exercises are given to students as homework.

“It would be much easier printing it out for students rather than writing it on the white board as it saves time,” she explained.

She thanked RCPL for assisting the school to meet the needs of students to do their homework.

She said it was encouraging to see NGOs coming forward to assist the school even though RCPL is based in Johor Bahru.

When her request for stationery and papers was turned down by the first Rotary Club they approached, she felt the school will not get any assistance at all.

She said she was pleasantly surprised when RCPL came to the rescue.

She said the items handed over this morning by RCPL will be put to good use by the office administration and teachers.

Meanwhile RCPL president Lee Jiin Chai believes the donation of stationary supply was crucial for facilitating effective learning by students.

“When we set out to help other people, our goal is to make a difference. Making a difference to a campaign, to a group of people, or to a single person, is what makes our efforts worthwhile,” he said.

He said when they received the letter of appeal from the school headmistress, the club had no hesitation in providing the necessary assistance.

“Today a number of schools especially in rural areas are in dire straits and need support and NGOs like us need to respond,” he iterated.

“Life is not to be lived in isolation from the needy. It’s a huge collaboration. We all need to assemble to care for needy people and support them in times of hardship.”

He stressed that big opportunities to help others seldom come, but little needs tug at our sleeves every day.

Over the years RCPL, which was chartered on the first day of October 2001, has focused on aid for projects in primary schools.

Lee revealed their initiatives include supporting home alone students by providing after school care and tuition.

On their English Literacy Project, he said RCPL has been promoting English Language skills among students.

He said financial aid is also given to needy students in a number of schools.

RCPL has been providing donations to enhance the learning environment in schools.

He said the heart of Rotary is its dedicated members, who share the ideals of service, friendship, diversity, integrity, and leadership.

He said RCPL’s purpose is to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service and encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace.