By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : There was much excitement among the children of Gurpuri Foundation, an orphanage of Malaysia’s Sikh community, when they received Jeanne Abdullah, wife of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Over 40 kids welcomed Jeanne when she visited the foster home Monday to celebrate Baisakhi, the harvest festival that falls April 13.
Jeanne, who is also president of the Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers (Bakti), donated RM 20,000 ($9,900) and distributed gift hampers on behalf of the association.
This was the fifth time Bakti has visited Gurpuri during Baisakhi.
“We have been donating generously for the betterment of the children,” Jeanne said at the orphanage.
The foundation is a home for the underprivileged, orphaned and neglected Sikh children.
Its principal Giani Sukhdaiv Singh said he was grateful to Bakti for the donations, The Star newspaper reported Tuesday.
“With such contributions, we have managed to give shelter, food, clothing and most importantly education to these children.”
Since its inception in 2000, 20 children have completed their education and are working in various fields. There are an estimated 100,000 Sikhs in Malaysia.