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KUDAT: SK Lajong in Kudat was chosen as the recipient of this year’s Christmas charity by Sharity of Hope, a volunteer group led by teacher Audrey Koh together with other members from Kota Kinabalu.

The celebration brought festive cheer to 143 students from preschool to Primary 6, joined by 32 staff members including the headmaster, teachers, cleaners, and security personnel. Parents, families, and PTA (Parents-Teachers Association) representatives also attended, making the event a true community gathering.

Sharity of Hope, which raised funds to provide back-to-school items for B40 children in rural areas, traveled four hours from the city to Kudat to host the event. 

Each child received a printed woven bag filled with gifts such as a face towel, water bottle, lunch box, stationery set, notebook, colour pencils, pens, and a Lego set. 

They also received preloved toys and clothes, adding to the excitement.

Parents were welcomed with a kampung-style feast prepared by the PTA Headmaster Joseph Peter greeted the group warmly. 

“Sharity is spelled with an ‘S’ as a reminder to share what we have with others, kongsi rezeki in Malay,” said Audrey. 

We are grateful to donors from across Malaysia who contributed to this initiative.”

Children performed a choir of festive songs, adding to the joyful atmosphere. Books purchased from the Big Bad Wolf Book Fair and donated preloved books were also gifted to the school library, enriching resources for the students.

The event was highly interactive, with parents selecting clothes from a free preloved bundle, while children moved from station to station to collect one item at a time for their woven bags. 

“It was like a free shopping experience,” organizers said, highlighting the fun and meaningful way of giving.

The group was delighted with another successful outreach event for underprivileged children, a tradition they have continued for the past few years. 

Audrey shared that the SK Lajong Christmas Party once again reflected the true spirit of sharing, community, and hope, ensuring that every child went home not only with gifts, but also with lasting memories of joy and togetherness.