Singapore helps feed needy students

From 2003 to 2006, ExxonMobil worked with the SouthWest Community Development Council to identify and distribute meal coupons to needy students in the SouthWest region so that they could buy food in the canteen.

2003: Bursary formula lauded
Principals and teachers of the 61 needy students from educational institutions in Singapore's South West District recently gave ExxonMobil the thumbs-up for a unique bursary scheme that gives students meal coupons to buy food in the canteen.

This was the second year that the ExxonMobil-South West Community Development Council (CDC) Bursary has been awarded to children from low-income families. Last year, 41 students received the inaugural awards.

Mrs. Carol Lim from River Valley High School said: "It's a creative idea. It teaches the students that not only are people concerned about their well-being, they themselves have to take care by eating well."

ExxonMobil's Singapore Refinery General Manager Steve Blume who gave out this year's bursaries, said at the presentation ceremony held in February: "With meal coupons, the children will be mindful of the value of money and be more responsible."

Mrs. Mary Lim, Principal of Fuhua Primary School and Chairperson of the SWCDC Institutions Relations Sub-committee said the bursary was a good working formula.

"This being the second year, we have seen an increase in applications from 303 to 376. Of these applications, we came across several who have benefitted in the previous year. This shows that students and parents appreciate the programme. It is the right combination of resources meeting needs. Corporate partnership brings about a "win-win solution".

ExxonMobil continues to work the South West CDC to help school-going children from needy families within the South West District. The programme started as a meals bursary in 2003, and became a transport bursary in 2006 when the Ministry of Education started to provide funds for meals assistance that year. More than 880 students have been assisted with over $150,000 since the bursary was started.

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