KUALA LUMPUR, April 26 (Bernama) -- The prime minister's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, today suggested that telecommunication companies (telcos) prowide free SMS access for people to pledge donations to Yayasan Pembangunan Anak-anak Yatim dan Miskin (Pemangkin), a development foundation for orphans and poor children.
She said the willingness of the telcos to do that would be their contribution to corporate social responsibility in helping the needy.
Rosmah said the donations would be channelled through the Skim Sumbangan Amal Jariah untuk Pembangunan Anak-anak Yatim dan Muskin to help the target groups.
"The Islamic Economic Development Foundation (YaPEIM) will discuss with the telco operators on the matter and I hope the outcome is that each SMS sent to Pemangkin to the number 32728 will not be charged.
"We know that a fee is charged on each SMS sent but for this purpose (charity), we hope it will be free of charge," she told reporters after the launching of Pemangkin, here, today.
Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Maj-Gen (Rtd) Datuk Jamil Khir Baharom and Deputy Minister Senator Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim.
On Pemangkin, Rosmah said it was a noble effort to help children in need of financial assistance for education and to live in comfort like those who still had parents.
"Indeed this effort also serves to enhance YaPEIM's standing as a charitable and socio-economic development institution founded by the government to improve the people's well-being," she said.
Pemangkin is now focusing on the Skim Anugerah Kecemerlangan Pelajar Miskin dan Anak Yatim Nasional (Santun), an award scheme for excellence for poor and orphaned children, and Program Pembangunan Anak Yatim dan Miskin Mangsa Tsunami di Acheh, which is a development programme for poor and orphaned children of the tsunami victims in Acheh.
Rosmah said Santun offered, among others, financial assistance for up to six years, and motivational, voluntary and apprentice programmes.
So far, 491 poor children and orphans nationwide, including 256 selected students participated in the Santun programme, while more than 1,000 orphans in Acheh benefited from the other programme, which also covered education and entrepreneurship.
-- BERNAMA
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