Former students of Sacred Heart Secondary School continue to do their part in lending a helping hand to current students and also their alma mater. On 25 Aug 2016, the Class of 1986 (the 86ixers) presented a cheque to a deserving student bound for a local university.
The contribution was part of the RM116,500 raised by the 86ixers over a two-year period. Of the amount RM81,000 was for the school’s redevelopment fund while the balance was to assist deserving under privileged students.
According to Thomas Lee Pok Yiiun, (李 倍 戒 ) this “gift of gratitude” was his classmates’ way of saying thank you to the school that guided and educated them.
“Many of us came from very humble background and we understand how difficult it can be to continue studying when you don’t even have enough for the bare necessities of life,” he said during the handing over ceremony witnessed by the school’s principal David Teo.
“Two years ago, as we were preparing to celebrate our 30th anniversary in 2016, we came up with this dream of being able to do something for our school in honour of our beloved late principal Rev Brother Albinus’ memory,” he said.
The 86ixers were able to raise RM15,500 in 2015 for their “Give Back Programme” for under privileged students, and against all odds and expectations raised another RM101,000 in 2016.
Thomas recounted: “The going was tough and many times we almost gave up hope. But somehow every time when the chips were down, some of our classmates from within Malaysia or from overseas would step up and inject a morale boosting sum into the fund raising drive.”
He also said the generosity of corporate leaders and also former students such as Tan Sri Clement Hii who have contributed immensely to the school’s development fund inspired the 86ixers to step up and do their part.
“Furthermore the Class of ’85 led by our former head prefect Hii Chang Kee had also successfully raised RM100,000 in 2015 to help the school settle a chunk of the redevelopment debt,” he added. The 86ixers felt it was only fair that they did their part too.
“Of course boys being boys, there was always the matter of pride and friendly rivalry amongst the various years to help spur the fund raising effort further,” he said, in an obvious reference to Sacred Heart boys being famed for their desire to always outdo each other.
“But all these are good for the school and we credit our late principal Brother Albinus for planting the seed to succeed in all of us,” Thomas said.
School Principal David Teo, (张 羽 ) whom himself is from the Class of ’85, thanked the 86ixers for responding to the school’s call for help. “Ariel Kong (江慧 琳) is a bright student and would have given up her chance to study in a local university without some form of financial assistance,” he said.
With the timely aid from the former students, Ariel looks set to be on her path to earning a degree in the near future.
“I am enthusiastic more former students will continue to step up and help our beloved school settle the balance of our redevelopment debt and also lend a helping hand to deserving students,” he said.
Those who want to find out how they can aid the school can contact the principal at 084-310502. Students of Sacred Heart, a voice is resounding!
