In 2010, when ID Dato’ Yeow Wah Chin was District Governor of District 308 B1 Malaysia, he proposed establishing an education fund to help students from financially disadvantaged families complete their tertiary education. Coming from a low-income family himself, Dato’ Yeow understood the challenges these students face and believed tertiary education could help break the cycle of poverty.
The Lions of the District and members of the public responded enthusiastically. Within six months, more than RM1.0 million was raised. The Lions Education Foundation was registered under the Companies Act 1965 in March 2011, with a Board of Trustees appointed to administer the fund. The Foundation was also granted tax-exempt status by the Government in the same year.
Since its incorporation in March 2011, the Foundation has extended financial assistance to 95 students, with RM1.49 million allocated. A distinctive feature of the Foundation is that assistance is available to academically average students from financially disadvantaged families. Generally, up to RM10,000 per year may be awarded to deserving applicants to cover tuition fees, examination fees, or living expenses. Recipients pursue studies at institutions of higher learning throughout Malaysia in fields including medicine and surgery, business administration, law, pharmacy, banking and finance, creative arts and design, economics and management, accountancy, culinary arts and food management, multimedia technology, hotel management, and dietetics.