Al-Ikhlas Hope Society (AHS)
We are happy to announce that the Al-Ikhlas Hope Society (AHS) has been selected as the official charity organization for the ZOAT 2024 tournament. We encourage all teams and attendees to support this remarkable organization during the event. Join us in supporting Al-Ikhlas Hope Society and help us create a brighter future for those in need. Together, we can make a meaningful impact!
About Al-Ikhlas Hope Society
Foundation and Early Days
Rohingya community leader Ustaz Arfat founded the Al-Ikhlas School in 2015, a kindy and primary-level UNHCR-registered learning center serving 150 Myanmar/Rohingya children living in the vicinity of Taman Sri Murni, Batu Caves. Facing financial difficulties in mid-2017, the center was at risk of closure. In January 2018, a group of dedicated volunteer tutors from Al-Ikhlas School embarked on a mission to secure the future of their learning center. This initiative, known as the “Al-Ikhlas Hope Project,” aimed to raise funds for the school. The campaign surprisingly gained much support from members of the public and within 3 weeks the RM45,000 required was raised. This was enough to cover the year’s rent and teachers’ salaries. Over the subsequent weeks and months, the project gained interest from bigger funders and organizations, allowing the school to double its size in mid-2018. With the increase in the functionality of the project and funds being raised, the project founders formally registered it with Malaysia’s Registrar of Societies in February 2019 to continue the initiative within a legally recognized framework, calling it Al-Ikhlas Hope Society or AHS.
Sponsor-A-Child-For-School 2024/2025
Al-Ikhlas Hope Society is again running a campaign to fundraise for the Al-Ikhlas School. The school also functions as a community center for more than 200 families living near the center. It offers a space for the community to use in other ways outside school hours, for example, a place for the community to gather and access food, other assistance, health and capacity-building workshops, and mobile clinics.
They are appealing for RM70 per child per month or RM840 per year. This will cover 70% of each child’s school fees, with the remainder collected from the students’ families where possible. The remaining funds raised will go towards paying the rental of the premises, the staff and teachers’ salaries (most of them from the refugee community too), utilities, as well as other maintenance requirements.
Al-Ikhlas School was founded in 2015 by Rohingya community leader Arfat Ganumia after arriving in Malaysia. Previously, he ran a school in Rakhine, Myanmar, which was destroyed during clashes with the Myanmar Junta military. Upon settling in Taman Sri Murni, Batu Caves, he noticed many children were left at home while their parents worked. Using his savings, he rented a shop lot, hired teachers, and opened the school to provide basic education and daytime care. Facing financial difficulties, he sought help from businesses and NGOs, leading to the establishment of Al-Ikhlas Hope Society (AHS) in 2018 to support the school.
The school offers pre-school (kindergarten) and primary classes up to Primary 5 for children starting around age 6. Due to varied educational backgrounds, some students are older, up to 15 years old. Currently, there are about 200-250 students attending morning and afternoon sessions.
- Kindergarten (K1, K2, K3): Literacy skills (English and Bahasa Malaysia) and Mathematics.
- Primary 1-5: English, Bahasa Malaysia, Maths, and Science.
- Life Skills: Occasionally, when funding allows, projects include cooking, IT, and entrepreneurship.
- Evening: Religious classes.
- External Classes: Reading, English conversation, health and hygiene, and art and craft by external groups.
This annual campaign raises RM70 per child each month for up to 150 children, totaling RM10,500, to cover operational expenses of RM22,000 per month. This includes rent for three shoplot units, teachers’ salaries, utilities, maintenance, and other costs. Arfat collects up to RM50 per child monthly to cover the remaining amount, making the actual cost per child RM120 per month.
Al-Ikhlas School students come from Rohingya and Myanmar refugee families. Over 50% were born in Malaysia, and 35% arrived when they were younger than three years. Due to restrictions on attending national schools and fears of detention, these children rarely venture outside the school vicinity. Most speak Bahasa Malaysia, which aids in communication, although subjects are primarily taught in English to prepare them for potential resettlement in English-speaking countries.
How WE Can Help
During the ZOAT 2024 tournament, all teams and attendees have the opportunity to contribute to AHS and make a tangible difference in the lives of refugee children and their families. Your donations will help ensure the continued operation of Al-Ikhlas School and provide much-needed support to the surrounding communities.
Join us in supporting Al-Ikhlas Hope Society and help us create a brighter future for those in need. Together, we can make a meaningful impact!
