PROPAZ helps in eradicating poverty

Rasidah HAB
BRUNEI-MUARA

THE Asnaf Zakat Empowerment Programme (PROPAZ) managed by the Youth Development Centre, has proven its ability to uphold the government's mandate to address the issue of poverty in the country by providing assistance in the form of knowledge and skills, said the centre's Acting Assistan Director, Haswandi Hj Osman, yesterday.

PROPAZ programme, a collaboration between the centre and the Islamic Religious Council of Ministry of Religious Affairs, is expected to boost employment opportunities for underprivileged jobseekers, as aspired by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam's titah on addressing poverty.

According to Haswandi, since its introduction in 2007, 125 trainees graduated from the programme and secured employments in the public and private sector, while others set up their own businesses.

In the event yesterday, another 13 trainee received their certificates after completing the programme. On hand to present the certificate was Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Hamid Hj Mohd Jaafar.

The graduates completed courses on Computer and Office Management, Cooking, Catering, Baking and Pastries and Technical Course.

The latest update of the programme graduates shows that eight are working in the public sector, 38 in the private sector and 23 graduates set up their own businesses. The statistics from the centre also show that 36 graduates are still looking for employment, seven chose not to work or become house wife, one pursue further studies and 12 withdrew from the programme.

Muhammad Khairol Hafiz Rosli was named the 'Best Trainee' of the programme. He received his award from Senior Administrative Officer at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Pg Hj Anuar Pg Seri Indera Pg Hj Ismail. Speaking to The Brunei Times, Muhammad Khairol said that "in whatever we do it is important to be honest and passionate".

"My family is not well-off, and because of that I want to help my family," said the youngest child of two siblings. Hailed from Kg Sg Liang, the 21-year- old now works for Joffren Omar Sdn Bhd, a local sales and service company as a technical assistant.

He was grateful to the Ministry of Religious Affairs for the opportunity to participate in the programme. "Alhamdulilah (praise to Allah), I was accepted for the programme after the interview. There were only five of us in the technical course, where we learn piping, welding, air conditioning and car body repair," he said.

Muhammad Khairol chose to be with his present employer because the company offers him many opportunities. He shared that at first it was hard, but he learnt to adapt with the new environment.

He said it was his brother-in-law who introduced him to welding and Muhammad Khairol saw the potential in it. In five years, he hoped to take a course for becoming a welding inspector.

Before participating in the programme, Muhammad Khairol was a student at Pengiran Anak Puteri Hjh Rashidah Saadatul Bolkiah Secondary School from Lumut, Seria. The event also saw the signing of the programme's Agreement of Participation for 21 trainees for the 2012-2013 session. The trainees will undergo a nine months course, of which six months will be for work placement. They will be taking the basic course on Information Communication Technology and Communication, Culinary Arts and Banquet & Pastries and Confectionary course and Basic Technical Course.

PROPAZ enables the trainees to gain experience in the field they are learning and further enhance their skills in the hope that it will open up opportunities for them either in terms of employment or to prepare them for the business world.

The programme was introduced in 2007 and is funded through zakat collected by the Islamic Religious Council.

Dipetik dari - The Brunei Times