KUCHING, Feb 16 (Sin Chew Daily) — A couple who are formerly teachers set up an education center called D’Wira in 2009 to educate stateless children and children from poor families to improve their quality of life.

Ye Xiu Mei, from Kuching, and her husband from Kuala Lumpur were secondary school teachers.

Ye quit teaching to be a home maker after having her second child in 1994.

“Prior to setting up D’Wira, I had been having a same dream repeatedly that I would take care of a group of children. I would teach them and give them food. I knew they were not my children,” said Ye.

Until today, Ye can’t find the reason for having the same dream repeatedly.

The dream stopped when D’Wira education center was set up in 2009.

After 12 years, the education center has taught about 400 children.

“In the beginning, we visited the squatter areas to explain to the parents and hoped they would send their children to learn at the center.

“We started with more than ten children, and once had 120 at the peak,” said Ye.

Currently, a total of 66 children from poor families aged between four and 17 are learning at D’Wira Education Center. Of the 66 children, 38 are stateless.

Taught by Ye and four teachers, classes are divided into morning and afternoon sessions.

The center also picks up the children and sends them home to ensure they attend classes regularly.

The children spend about four hours a day learning at the center.

Besides learning Mala, English and mathematics, the children are also taught living skills such as cooking, doing house chores and communication skills.

After mastering the languages and mathematics, the children then learn science and drawing.

As a non-profit organization, the center relies on the monthly fee of RM20 charged on each student.

The fee is not mandatory as some parents are unable to pay.

The center also relies on friends, businesses and organizations for financial support.