Ipoh Students Get Education Support from EduHOPE

Issabelle 19/09/2025

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By Yashila Issabelle

For many young people, doing well in SPM is only the first step toward a brighter future.

But for some families in Ipoh, the dream of university ends there.

The hurdle often lies in pre-university programmes such as foundation or matriculation, which cost only a few thousand ringgit but are not covered by PTPTN loans.

For households already struggling, this small gap can mean the end of a child’s education journey.

Recognising this, Soroptimist International Ipoh (SI Ipoh) launched EduHOPE in 2023, an education fund designed to bridge this gap.

Its mission is simple yet powerful: to empower underprivileged youth by providing financial support and tools so they can continue their studies after graduating Form 5.

Breaking the Cycle of Poverty

SI Ipoh saw how even the brightest children remained trapped in poverty without help at this crucial stage.

Without support, many drop out, repeating the struggles of their parents and passing them to the next generation.

From EduFun to EduHOPE

This effort builds on more than a decade of groundwork.

Since 2009, SI Ipoh has carried out projects uplifting women, children, and families.

In 2012, they opened the EduFun Centre in First Garden, Ipoh, a safe and supportive space for children aged 6 to 12.

Here, children received tuition, mentorship, and holistic care that many lacked at home.

Over the years, EduFun nurtured dozens of children, many of whom achieved strong SPM results.

Yet SI Ipoh leaders noticed a worrying pattern: too many had to stop studying because their families could not afford the next step.

From that realisation, EduHOPE was born.

Empowering Youth Through Education

EduHOPE provides financial aid for tuition fees, entrance costs, and essentials such as laptops, with a special focus on students in the First Garden area.

These funds enable students to pursue foundation and matriculation programmes that open the door to university education.

SI Ipoh offers counselling, mentoring, and personal guidance, ensuring students not only enter the next stage of learning but also thrive in it.

Applicants undergo an interview process, allowing SI Ipoh to understand their background, commitment, and aspirations.

This careful selection ensures that funds reach those who truly need them.

Real Stories of Hope

The impact of EduHOPE is best seen through its beneficiaries:

Sinthu – Once supported with tuition for Form 4 and 5, she scored 11As in SPM. With EduHOPE covering matriculation fees, she pursued a degree in Petroleum Engineering and is now a project engineer at a reputable firm.
Rachel – An EduFun child since age 10, Rachel achieved 7As in SPM. EduHOPE helped her with RM2,500 for her Foundation in Management. She is now graduating and pursuing a TESL degree.
Narmitha A/P Ponniraja – From a single-mother household with six siblings, she received EduHOPE aid for matriculation fees and a laptop. Scoring a perfect 4.0, she has secured a place in UUM for accountancy, with EduHOPE continuing to support her.