The Nirvana Asia Group’s ‘Kids Have You’ campaign aims to provide 3,000 school starter sets to children from underprivileged families across 159 Chinese primary schools in the Klang Valley, Malaysia.
The initiative was announced during the group’s annual Zhongyuan Enlightenment Ceremony, held during the seventh lunar month, also known as Gratitude Month.
For parents facing financial pressure at the start of a new school year, the cost of basic school supplies can quickly add up. The campaign aims to ease some of that burden by providing students with essential items needed for school.
What The Kids Have You Campaign Provides
Under the ‘Kids Have You’ campaign, a donation of RM100 supports one complete school starter set for a student in need.
Each set includes,
- A school bag
- A pair of school shoes
- Two sets of school uniform
- Two pairs of socks
- A handwritten card of encouragement and blessings from the donor
The RM100 contribution may not cover the complete cost of every set. However, Nirvana Asia Group has committed to covering the difference.
Furthermore, if donations do not reach the target of 3,000 sets, the company will fund the remaining sets. It has also pledged to provide additional sets if participating schools identify more students who require support.
This means the campaign is designed to ensure that children identified as beneficiaries receive the school essentials they need, regardless of the final amount raised.
Supporting Students Through Education
Tan Sri Kong Hon Kong, founder and executive chairman of Nirvana Asia Group, highlighted the organisation’s continued focus on Chinese education during the ceremony. He said,
“Education is a vital force that changes children’s futures and forms the foundation for society’s progress. Beyond giving back to society, we hope to leverage our corporate influence to inspire more people to care about children’s education and growth.”
For families, support with basic school supplies can help remove one practical barrier to starting the academic year. For schools, such programmes can also provide a way to identify students who may require additional assistance.
The campaign has received cooperation from Chinese primary schools across the Klang Valley. School authorities are helping identify beneficiary students so that support can reach children with the greatest need.
Encouraging A Culture Of Giving
The campaign also seeks to encourage children and the wider community to think about the importance of gratitude and giving.
Each school set includes a handwritten card from the donor. This adds a personal element to the practical support and gives students a message of encouragement as they begin another school year.
Meanwhile, the initiative forms part of Nirvana Asia Group’s wider approach to incorporating social welfare activities into its traditional Zhongyuan Enlightenment Ceremonies.
Since 1995, the company has held these ceremonies at its memorial parks in accordance with local religious customs. In recent years, the events have also included charitable initiatives addressing issues such as food security, bullying in schools, peace and compassion.
Kong noted that the ceremonies serve dual purposes: honouring ancestral traditions and filial piety while creating platforms for collective social contribution. He added,
“We hope to use the influence and reach of the company to draw attention to the challenges the world faces, while encouraging people to cherish what they already have.”
Investment In School Leadership
Alongside the Kids Have You campaign, Nirvana Asia Group presented a RM50,000 mock cheque to the Malaysian National Union of Heads of Schools.
The funding will support principals’ exchanges, training programmes and organisational development across Malaysia.
Additionally, the group continues to provide an annual RM30,000 allocation to the Selangor Chinese Primary School Principals’ Council. The funding supports the organisation of 12 academic competitions.
These activities extend the focus beyond individual student support. They also recognise the role of school leaders and professional development in strengthening education.
How The Campaign Supports Schools And Families
For education stakeholders, the campaign highlights the connection between student welfare and access to education.
School supplies may appear to be a relatively small part of a child’s education. However, the cost of uniforms, shoes, bags and other essentials can place additional pressure on lower-income households.
By working with schools to identify beneficiaries, the Kids Have You campaign also creates a more targeted approach to distributing assistance.
Moreover, the company’s commitment to cover any shortfall means the stated target of 3,000 school starter sets does not depend entirely on public donations.
