Singapore, 19 September 2008 – StarHub shared Ramadan with Pertapis Children’s Home this evening as 23 StarHub volunteers joined over 70 Muslim friends of Pertapis Children's Home in breaking fast. Many of the volunteers from StarHub had abstained from food and water during the course of the day to gain a better understanding of the Muslim practice and its significance.
Earlier in the day, StarHub employees who volunteered their time to participate in this event, engaged youths and children of the Home in a session of fun and games, while Sensasi artistes including Suhaimi Yusof, Zaliha Hamid, Zaharian Osman and Nik Mikhail entertained the children with games and songs. Sensasi is StarHub’s dedicated Malay entertainment channel.
StarHub, through the Sparks Fund, sponsored some $10,000 worth of gifts for the Home, including food, book and shoe vouchers, and arranged for a sumptuous dinner prepared by Ikhlas Catering, a social enterprise set up by Pertapis. The StarHub Sparks Fund comprises one percent of revenue earned from all IDD 008 and IDD 018 calls, and represents the company’s sincere belief in corporate philanthropy.
Ms Jeannie Ong, StarHub’s Head of Corporate Communications and Investor Relations, said, “We are pleased to provide the opportunity for our non-Muslim employees to gain a better understanding of the significance of Ramadan and share this enriching cultural experience of breaking fast with Pertapis Children’s Home. We hope that through this fasting experience, our employees will be able to better appreciate the culture of our Muslim friends.”
Mr Alfie Othman, Chairman of Pertapis’s Home Management Committee, said, “Pertapis has a long-term commitment to develop the youths and children under our charge to their fullest potential. We are grateful to StarHub for their generous support and for befriending the youths and children at Pertapis Children’s Home. When our charges interact regularly with adults who respect them, they feel better about themselves and gain more confidence.”
Since StarHub was established in 2000, the company has donated some $5 million to help the less unfortunate.
Pertapis Children's Home is an approved place of safety under the Children and Young Persons Act. It provides a wholesome home for children who have been separated from their families. Some of these children, who suffer from abusive families, are referred to the Home by the Juvenile Court, or are admitted on compassionate grounds in instances where their primary caregivers are unable to support them.
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