Recipients expressed their gratitude and praised her Majesty's benevolent gesture. Picture: BT/Yusri Adanan
Monday, November 8, 2010
RECIPIENTS of personal gifts from Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hjh Saleha yesterday expressed their gratitude and praised her benevolent act towards the residents of the country.
A total of 7,676 infants and single mothers received financial assistance in the form of savings accounts, intended to instil a savings culture among the country's residents.
Recipients at the ceremonies were abuzz with what the gift entailed, as all will not be revealed until they claim their gift at a local bank with vouchers presented to them by the princesses Her Majesty's representatives at yesterday's ceremonies.
"We're going to save this money for his education in the future," said the mother of three-month-old Azzizul Ilmi Saiful, who already has a savings account.
The mother of two, Nurhafizah Hj Matusin, added that she had always wanted the best for her children and would ensure that the gift would be put to good use.
Maslyiani Lian from Kg Kebia in Tutong echoed similar sentiments, adding that she was "very grateful" to Her Majesty for bestowing the gift on her daughter, seven-month-old Elyssa Hana Mika. She said that she would most likely save the money for her daughter's future expenses, such as school fees.
"Raising a child is not cheap these days, and Her Majesty's generosity will go a long way to lifting the burden on some families. Even as a baby, Elyssa still has a lot of expenses. But if I can, I will try and keep most of the money for her future needs," she told The Brunei Times.
Mother of four Siti Rosnina Bungsu agreed with Maslyiani's comments, stating that even with the government welfare assistance, raising a family on one income was difficult.
"I'm a housewife and my husband earns about $1,200 a month. Bringing a baby girl into a household of three boys is truly a blessing from Allah SWT but the expense of another child can also be a financial burden," said the Kg Bukit Beruang resident.
"That is why I am so grateful for Her Majesty's generosity because it comes at a very crucial time. New babies need a lot of things like diapers, powdered milk formula, bottles, clothing," she said.
Siti Rosnina added that although she would use some of Her Majesty's gift for four-month-old Amalina's expenses, she would try to deposit $30 a month into the savings account every month.
"While it's important to pay for Amalina's immediate needs, I also have to bear in mind her needs for the future such as schooling." Bruneians were not the only recipients as expatriates in the country also received their fair share of generosity from Her Majesty.
Recalling that she was made aware of the event through word of mouth, New Zealander Heather Lieshout, said she has been living in Brunei for seven years with her husband, a Royal Brunei Airlines pilot.
Receiving the gift at the Istana Nurul Iman yesterday, the mother of four thanked Her Majesty for the "beautiful gift" to her son, George, who was born on June 1 this year.
Another Kiwi, Philippa Morris, said that the event was a good demonstration of Her Majesty's caring attitude towards residents of Brunei. "Thank you very much Your Majesty, it is a very generous gift."
She also lauded the idea of presenting the gifts to single mothers in the country. "It's lovely to know this. It is tough to be a single mother therefore it is a noble idea and intent," said the mother of two-year-old Matthew Morris.
Rosmini Besar, a relief teacher at Bangar's Sultan Hassan Primary School expressed her gratitude and appreciation to Her Majesty for the gift. The 32-year-old mother of two from Kg Batang Tuau brought her second child, six-month-old Mohammad Bazli Mohammad Dahlan to the ceremony yesterday. Mohammad Bazli did not appear to be disturbed by all the noise and was fast asleep in his mother's arm. Hartini Yunus from Royal Brunei Navy Muara Camp said she had to wake up early and leave for Temburong from the capital at 6am to receive the gift, as there was a mix-up on her place of residence.
The 25-year-old mother resides in Jln Puni, Muara Camp in Brunei-Muara district, but was initially thought to be staying in Kg Puni, a village in Temburong. However, the confusion was sorted out and Hartini received her baby's gift in Temburong.
A total of 7,676 infants and single mothers received financial assistance in the form of savings accounts, intended to instil a savings culture among the country's residents.
Recipients at the ceremonies were abuzz with what the gift entailed, as all will not be revealed until they claim their gift at a local bank with vouchers presented to them by the princesses Her Majesty's representatives at yesterday's ceremonies.
"We're going to save this money for his education in the future," said the mother of three-month-old Azzizul Ilmi Saiful, who already has a savings account.
The mother of two, Nurhafizah Hj Matusin, added that she had always wanted the best for her children and would ensure that the gift would be put to good use.
Maslyiani Lian from Kg Kebia in Tutong echoed similar sentiments, adding that she was "very grateful" to Her Majesty for bestowing the gift on her daughter, seven-month-old Elyssa Hana Mika. She said that she would most likely save the money for her daughter's future expenses, such as school fees.
"Raising a child is not cheap these days, and Her Majesty's generosity will go a long way to lifting the burden on some families. Even as a baby, Elyssa still has a lot of expenses. But if I can, I will try and keep most of the money for her future needs," she told The Brunei Times.
Mother of four Siti Rosnina Bungsu agreed with Maslyiani's comments, stating that even with the government welfare assistance, raising a family on one income was difficult.
"I'm a housewife and my husband earns about $1,200 a month. Bringing a baby girl into a household of three boys is truly a blessing from Allah SWT but the expense of another child can also be a financial burden," said the Kg Bukit Beruang resident.
"That is why I am so grateful for Her Majesty's generosity because it comes at a very crucial time. New babies need a lot of things like diapers, powdered milk formula, bottles, clothing," she said.
Siti Rosnina added that although she would use some of Her Majesty's gift for four-month-old Amalina's expenses, she would try to deposit $30 a month into the savings account every month.
"While it's important to pay for Amalina's immediate needs, I also have to bear in mind her needs for the future such as schooling." Bruneians were not the only recipients as expatriates in the country also received their fair share of generosity from Her Majesty.
Recalling that she was made aware of the event through word of mouth, New Zealander Heather Lieshout, said she has been living in Brunei for seven years with her husband, a Royal Brunei Airlines pilot.
Receiving the gift at the Istana Nurul Iman yesterday, the mother of four thanked Her Majesty for the "beautiful gift" to her son, George, who was born on June 1 this year.
Another Kiwi, Philippa Morris, said that the event was a good demonstration of Her Majesty's caring attitude towards residents of Brunei. "Thank you very much Your Majesty, it is a very generous gift."
She also lauded the idea of presenting the gifts to single mothers in the country. "It's lovely to know this. It is tough to be a single mother therefore it is a noble idea and intent," said the mother of two-year-old Matthew Morris.
Rosmini Besar, a relief teacher at Bangar's Sultan Hassan Primary School expressed her gratitude and appreciation to Her Majesty for the gift. The 32-year-old mother of two from Kg Batang Tuau brought her second child, six-month-old Mohammad Bazli Mohammad Dahlan to the ceremony yesterday. Mohammad Bazli did not appear to be disturbed by all the noise and was fast asleep in his mother's arm. Hartini Yunus from Royal Brunei Navy Muara Camp said she had to wake up early and leave for Temburong from the capital at 6am to receive the gift, as there was a mix-up on her place of residence.
The 25-year-old mother resides in Jln Puni, Muara Camp in Brunei-Muara district, but was initially thought to be staying in Kg Puni, a village in Temburong. However, the confusion was sorted out and Hartini received her baby's gift in Temburong.
courtesy of------The Brunei Times
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