Deputy M'sian PM Hands Over US$570,197.25 To Viva Palestina Malaysia

PUTRAJAYA (Malaysia), March 8 (Bernama) -- Deputy Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on Thursday handed over US$570,197.25 (RM1.72 million) to Viva Palestina Malaysia (VPM) for the creation of an education ambience at 11 schools in Jaballia, north of Gaza, Palestine. Muhyiddin, who is also Malaysian education minister, presented a mock cheque for US$572,975.76 (RM1,728,381.39) to VMP chairman Dr Musa Mohd Nordin at his Education Ministry office, here. VMP is an NGO which aims to seek a prompt, equitable and sustainable resolution to the conflict in Palestine. The Gaza invasion in December 2008 and the dehumanisation of the Palestinians by Zionist Israel prompted the Education Ministry to launch a nation-wide donation drive. Senior officials of the ministry, staff, headmasters, teachers and school children, even from pre-school, played a part in this humanitarian aid drive and generously contributed US$572,975.76 (RM1,728,381.39). Together with VPM, a project has been identified and planned to rehabilitate and maintain the classrooms, laboratories and facilities of 11 schools in Jaballia, north of Gaza, Palestine. Some specific objectives include improving the classroom environment for 8,400 students, restoring and maintaining 210 classrooms in 11 schools, upgrading the facilities of nine science laboratories, nine computer labs and 11 libraries, restoring and maintaining 135 toilets and 12 bathrooms. VPM is appealing for corporate and individual donations, which will go towards these carefully selected projects, which are designed to provide a sustainable source of income for Palestinians in Gaza, particularly women and children. VPM will also be part of the upcoming Viva Palestina 6 - "The Right of Return Convoy" scheduled to depart London on April 22 this year, cutting across Europe and the Middle East to Egypt and entering Gaza on May 15, the day of the Nakba (the day of the catastrophe). The convoy is focused on the reconstruction and rebuilding of Gaza. -- BERNAMA