Helping To Sponsor A Child

   Lily is a 17-year-old who came to Malaysia with her mother at the age of 6. Her mother, a housewife, remarried in Kuala Lumpur and now has two young daughters, aged 8 and 5 months. Lily's stepfather works as a construction driver but struggles to maintain regular employment due to a kidney condition. With financial strain weighing heavily on the family and no income of her own, Lily's mother reluctantly decided to withdraw Lily from school. After discussing the situation with her mother, we encouraged her to let Lily continue her education while we search for a sponsor to support her.

Lily is a hardworking and earnest student with a strong desire to learn and succeed

  Shibia is a bright and determined 15-year-old who attends school alongside her younger brother (Primary 1) and sister (Nursery 2). Her father works as an electrician in an ad-hoc position, while her mother earns a modest income as a shopkeeper. The family's unstable income makes it difficult to support all three children’s education. As a result, they have sought sponsorship for one of their children.

Shibia is a quick learner with a positive mindset. She dreams of becoming a fashion designer when she grows up.

 Elly 15 years old and Joe 12 years old, live in Kuala Lumpur with their older siblings, Henry and Alice, and their father, who is the family's primary breadwinner. Their mother left the family many years ago, leaving their father to shoulder the responsibility of raising the children. Alice, a single mother, takes on ad-hoc jobs to help support the family. Henry is currently being sponsored, but the family still struggles to send Elly and Joe  to school. Their father has reached out for help, seeking sponsorship to ensure all his children receive an education. 

 Mary , a 13-year-old student has two younger siblings, Joseph (Primary 4) and Chris (Primary 2), who also attend our school. The family’s situation took a turn for the worse in 2024 when her father lost all his assets due to financial hardship. Previously, they were doing well as refugees, running their own business and owning a restaurant and even a car. However, the sudden financial collapse forced the family to stop all their children’s education last year.

By the grace of God, the family has managed to return the children to school this year. Mary's mother works as a vegetable seller, and her father is now employed as a security guard, earning just over 1,000 RM per month. Despite his efforts, his salary is insufficient to cover the school fees for all three children. The family has requested sponsorship for Mary to help reduce their financial burden and ensure the children can continue their education.

  PJ, a 16-year-old student, came to Malaysia alone in 2023 to escape the ongoing crisis in Myanmar. He left behind his parents and four younger siblings, driven by his family's hopes for a brighter future. His parents' plan is for him to learn English and eventually find a job in Kuala Lumpur to support his family back home. PJ now lives with his aunt and uncle, who are also raising two young children, aged 7 and 9.

When PJ first joined our school, he could barely speak a word of English. However, within just one year, he has made remarkable progress. PJ now confidently represents his classmates in group presentations and is unafraid of making mistakes, even when others might tease him. Despite feeling lonely at times, being so far from his family, PJ remains optimistic. He finds solace in playing the guitar, which helps him lift his spirits

  Thomas is an 8-year-old boy with a 3 years younger brother. In 2023, Thomas’ father suffered a stroke that left half of his body paralyzed, making him unable to work. His mother has been preoccupied with caring for both the father and the younger brother, leaving the family with no income.  While their basic needs are met through community donations their family struggles with many unmet needs including education for their children. The family has requested sponsorship to support Thomas’ education.

  Twins Michelle and Andrew age 5 years old are bright and full energy. They also have a younger brother who at 1 year old has multiple health problems requiring him to visit the hospital monthly. Their mother dedicates her time to caring for the youngest child, while their father works hard as an electrician to provide for the family. However, his income is insufficient to cover the family’s living expenses and the medical costs. Sponsorship is sought to ensure the twins can continue their education.. 

   Ling is an 11-year-old student, joined ZRCLC this year. She comes from a loving and supportive family, but they are struggling financially, due to her father’s severe kidney problem. He requires dialysis three times a week, costing nearly RM1,000 weekly—or RM4,000 monthly. At this point, the family’s basic needs are supported by the community leaving many other needs unmet. With her mother unable to work while caring for her husband, the family has asked for sponsorship to support Ling’s education.

Brothers Simon, 9, and David, 14, have been long-time students at the school. David, in particular, has always been actively involved in the community, notably serving as an altar boy for the Zotung Catholic Community. Both boys are sharp, creative, and kind, consistently performing excellently in their academics. Their father works as a gardener in a remote area near the forest, which comes with various risks, including living in an inadequately protected environment. Despite his hard work, inflation and low wages have made it difficult for him to cover his sons' educational expenses. As a result, he is seeking sponsorship to help them continue their studies

James is an 8-year-old boy with a younger brother in Nursery 2. James’ mother is a single parent who works in a bakery, earning RM1,000 monthly. Managing two children on this modest income is a challenge, as she must also pay for rent, electricity, and water bills. Despite her best efforts, it is difficult for her to meet all their needs. She has requested sponsorship to help support one of her two children currently in our school.

 Samantha is a bright and creative 10-year-old who lives with her mother and an infant younger brother. Her late father who was always supportive of her education and artistic pursuits, passed away, leaving the family in a lurch. As a refugee, Samantha’s mother finds it hard to secure stable employment while also caring for an infant. Relatives assist with basic needs, but this support is not enough to ensure Samantha’s continued education. Sponsorship would make a significant difference in helping Samantha pursue her dreams.

 Harry, a 13-year-old orphan, moved to Malaysia in 2023 to be raised by his older sister, Jane, who is married with two young toddlers. Jane is a full-time housewife, caring for her two children, while her husband works as a pastor for the Catholic refugee community in the Pudu area.

When Harry first arrived in Malaysia, he struggled to connect with the other children at school. However, over the course of the year, he has made significant progress in understanding conversational English, and it’s clear he is now enjoying both the friendships and the learning environment at school. Jane has reached out for help with Harry’s education, as her husband’s income isn’t enough to cover the family’s expenses. Having Harry attend school greatly supports Jane in raising her younger brother while managing the needs of her own family.