Chen (centre) looks on as Yong (fifth left) handed over the RM50,000 OCBC mock cheque to Lui (fifth right) for the SJK (C) Che Hwa Kelombong resource centre, Firefly Library, during its official launch at the school yesterday. Also seen is school principal Ling (fourth left).
KOTA KINABALU: SJK (C) Che Hwa Kelombong, Sabah’s first and only Chinese primary school approved by the Education Ministry to move from the village to urban area, officially launched its resource centre yesterday.
According to Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI) president Datuk Michael Lui, the 1,500 sq feet resource centre, dubbed the Firefly Library in honour of the school’s former locality in the firefly village from the west, cost RM50,000 to complete and was made possible with OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Berhad Kota Kinabalu Branch’s CSR contribution.
“The students of SJK (C) Che Hwa Kelombong now have a comfortable space for meetings, reading and studying. The collaboration with HSBC was key to making the dream of having the centre into a reality for the schoolchildren.
“Today, the children of this needy school have a comfortable environment for their studies,” said Lui, who is also one of the school’s board of directors.
He elaborated that the Consulate of People’s Republic of China in Kota Kinabalu’s 20,000 renminbi books contribution, Zhong Hua Cultural and Education Society Sabah’s 5,000 renminbi books contribution, as well as an unnamed individual’s RM5,000 worth of books contribution completed the two-month project facility for some 600 students at the school.
“The space, now fully furnished with furniture and fittings, air conditioners, computers and library shelves will be used by both upper and lower primary students.
“The four computers will enable students to gain information through the internet while the projector and screen will come in handy when special lectures are organised,” said OCBC Bank Kota Kinabalu Branch senior manager Stanley Yong.
Some 30 OCBC Bank Kota Kinabalu Branch staff will also be conducting training sessions on banking and provide financial planning tips for the students at the school, Yong added.
The school will also be launching its computer centre, made possible with the West Coast, Kudat and Interior Tire Sales Association’s RM50,000 support, in November 2016.
The People’s Republic of China in Kota Kinabalu consul general, Chen Peijie, and SJK (C) Che Hwa Kelombong Resource Centre headmaster Brendan Ling Sui Ting were among the guests present at the ceremony.