BINTULU: Smart Reader Worldwide Sdn Bhd, a leading early childhood education provider, has donated reading materials worth RM8,000 to children affected by the recent floods here. The donation was made at Dewan Suarah Bintulu last Saturday.
As the franchisor of the renowned Smart Reader Kids preschool programme, Smart Reader Worldwide, along with its subsidiary Aim Smart Academics Sdn Bhd, provided age-appropriate storybooks for children aged four to six, who have been displaced by the disaster.
Described as the worst flood to hit this oil and gas town, the disaster has forced many families, including young children, to seek shelter at temporary evacuation centres for the past two weeks.
Smart Reader Worldwide executive director Keefe Ong emphasised the importance of ensuring children’s psychological and cognitive well-being, even during times of crisis.
“Experiencing a disaster of this magnitude is traumatic, especially for young children. Beyond basic necessities such as food and shelter, it is crucial to support their mental and emotional development,” he said through a press statement on Wednesday.
“We hope these storybooks will provide comfort and a sense of normalcy to the children while they are at the evacuation centre. Additionally, we are assessing ways to assist our existing Smart Reader Kids students who have been severely affected by the floods,” he added.
The books were delivered by Norma John, Operations & Business Development manager (East Malaysia), with the support of Koh Chi Hui, franchisee of Smart Reader Kids Taman Putra Jaya, and Marilyn Laka, representative of Smart Reader Kids Hock Lee Garden.
