Elena Cooke Education Fund

A press conference was held at Pavilion on 14 July 2009. This information was shared with the press and we are making it available to BBGSians.

As the BBGS alumni is being revived, it is time for the alumni to play a more significant role in society. BBGS, a pioneer of women’s education in Malaysia, was founded over a hundred years ago for the education of the women in the country and especially those who could not afford it. Today we follow that same ethos to provide education for those who cannot afford to do so.

The fund is being established in honour of Ms Elena Cooke, who today is the last of the pioneering headmistresses, who embodies all the values and spirit of BBGS and of all the headmistresses before. She made a lasting impact as a teacher, headmistress, mentor, advisor and role model to the teachers and all BBGS girls, from 1958 – 1977, and even after she retired. She has given her life to the school and its children. Today, the Alumni want to continue her legacy.

The Elena Cooke Education Fund will be established as a Trust under the auspices of the BBGS OGA to meet educational needs for Malaysian children facing economic adversity. Assistance will be given to those most in need, with priority to children and kin of ex-BBGS and Sri Bintang Utara, with no preference for race or religion.

The entire alumni will be brought together to help build this fund. In addition, various events and activities will be organized to raise a target or RM500,000 in the next two to three years.

How was the BBGS Revive idea mooted?
Former BBGS School Captain Phang Sow Yoong and current President of the Old Girls’ Association initiated the meeting with the Pavilion CEO who agreed to sponsor the venue for our “BACK2BBGS — Launch of The Elena Cooke Education Fund” Event on Tuesday 4 August 2009.

Scope of the Fund
The Fund will be used to provide for the education needs for children facing economic adversity, which may include but is not limited to:
• Tuition fees at the place of learning.
• Travel needs to go to the places of learning.
• Boarding and lodging needs at the place of learning.
• Any hardware needs like books, computers, tools, etc.
• Dire health and nutritional needs for children communities affecting their education
• Any other student needs affecting their education that is determined by the Sub-committee.

How was the Elena Cooke Fund initiated?
BBGS started as a pioneer of women’s education in Malaysia. As the BBGS alumni is being revived, we felt that it is time for the alumni to play a more significant role in society. BBGS was first founded over a hundred years ago for the education of the women in the country and especially those who could not afford it. Today we follow that same ethos to provide education for those who cannot afford to do so.

Why in tribute of Elena Cooke, and not other headmistresses of BBGS?
Ms Cooke is present today as the last of the pioneering headmistresses, and she is embodies all the values and spirit of BBGS and of all the headmistresses before. She made a lasting impact as teacher, headmistress, mentor, advisor and role model to the teachers and all BBGS girls, from 1958 – 1977 and even after she retired. She has given her life to the school and its children. Today, we want to continue her legacy.

Why only establish it now?
Better now than never, at this BACK2BBGS event.

How is it different from the other funds in Malaysia?
What is important is that there is now an opportunity for children who needs help to have an avenue to turn to. There is never enough to go around.
What’s different perhaps is the intention, this fund is established in honour and memory of our school and the headmistresses who have, in love and care, provided education to children for generations; we want to continue their legacy.
There is a priority to the children and kin of the alumni.

Will there be any post-event efforts/activities that will be carried through to raise funds?
Most certainly. And we hope the public will generously support our efforts to help provide educational resources to needy Malaysian children.

How can the public be involved in such efforts?
When there is an event organized for this purpose we hope that the public will give, and generously, Whether or not it is different is not relevant. What is important is that there is now an opportunity for children who needs help to have an avenue to turn to. There is never enough to go around.

Management of the fund
The fund at this time will be set up and managed by a Sub-committee elected by the OGA members, with the view to set it up as a Trust by 1 January 2010 (01/0/110) in accordance with the Trustees Incorporation Act.

When the funds are residing under the general umbrella of the OGA, it will be audited by the OGA Honorary Auditors, and filed as such with the ROS as required.

Trustees will be nominated by the OGA members, and would comprise OGA members, OGA committee members and such individuals or corporations deemed suitable and trustworthy to manage the fund. Thereafter the moneys and management will be audited as required by the laws regarding Trusts in Malaysia.

When at least 20% of the fund is achieved, this principal amount shall not be withdrawn from the fund but only the interest/dividend generated by the fund shall be available to meet the expenses of the educational need.


Disbursement of the funds
The disbursement will be given annually, with exceptions where there is an immediate urgent need. Annually, the BBGS OGA will give notice to the general public and the alumni of the availability of assistance via the alumni database (since there is a priority for kin, and they should be in the alumni database, if not, to get in there, possibly on the BBGS OGA website.) Families of children, community institutions and learning institutions with a need for education related assistance may then write to BBGS OGA to request funds. The amounts and number of beneficiaries will be subject to availability of funds at the time.