Kuala Lumpur, 2 March 2009 - Fiesta San Pedro, or the Feast of St. Peter, is a week-long celebration that commemorates St. Peter, the patron saint of fishermen.
 
However, for the 20 kids or so of the San Pedro Shelter Home in Old Klang Road, this fiesta might as well be in another country altogether. While some of them have heard of it briefly, none has ever had the opportunity to attend this cultural event.  Ranging from babies to 17-year-olds, these kids are grateful for every bit of kindness shown to them for the necessities in life, food, abode and education.
 
This is one of the reasons Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) has decided to help the kids at the San Pedro Shelter Home by ensuring they have transportation necessary to go to school and back.  While the home does have other individuals or corporations doing their bit, the situation is far from ideal. 
 
Aside from the monthly transportation for all the kids, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has also made a 12-year commitment to support the basic primary and secondary education of four kids - Raymond Alekchandran, Kelveen Prabu Alekchandran, Jonathan Nityananda and Rebecca Yogeswari - whereby their schools fees are paid for and they are provided with school-going necessities including uniforms, bags and  shoes. All the other kids have sponsors as well.
 
“For every child, school is the biggest and most important part of their lives. Their schooling years are the formative years before they take the next step to higher education, working life or adulthood. So, the least Mercedes-Benz Malaysia can do is to ensure that these kids are given the opportunity to make it to school,” said Peter Honegg, CEO and President, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia.
 
“Many of us take the simplest things in life for granted. For these kids, the idea of going to school every day is met with pure joy and that is the biggest reward for Mercedes-Benz - knowing that we have made a small difference in their lives.”
 
“This is one of the reasons we have “adopted” these four kids. We would very much like to see them get a head start in life, as with the other kids, and we are committed to making that happen,” Honegg added.
 
Over and above education needs, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia also provides food supplies from time to time, be it from the company or staff contributions. Staff also volunteer to spend time with the kids on a regular basis. The kids look forward to these bonding sessions as the volunteers engage them in a variety of activities such as tutoring, games and mentoring.
 
Raymond, age 6, definitely agrees. He looks forward to these visits as it gives him and the other kids the opportunity to interact with people from outside their circle of friends and family at the home.
 
“I am so happy I have the chance to attend school like every other kid. And sometimes the people from Mercedes-Benz come to hang out with us which is fun,” he said.
 
Recently several members of the Mercedes-Benz Malaysia staff along with students from the Mercedes-Benz Apprentice Training Centre treated the kids to a day of fun and games to celebrate Christmas. Following a hearty dinner, the kids were surprised with presents based on their wish lists. The atmosphere at the home was transformed into one of full excitement as the kids started to unwrap their gifts of reading books, t-shirts, colouring books and crayons and lots of chocolates.
 
Kelveen was thrilled to receive a basketball as he could now play with his friends after school every day.
 
“I also enjoyed the games we played with all the big brothers (ATC students) as they were really funny. I hope they come again soon to visit and play basketball with us.” said the six year old.
 
The San Pedro Shelter Home is run by Brother Anthony Thomas who manages the day-to-day activities at the home. According to him, the kids largely come from broken or single-parent homes while some have been abandoned or victims of abuse. .
 
“We are grateful to companies like Mercedes-Benz Malaysia whose involvement and contribution have truly been a blessing for us.  I hope for more companies to follow their example which not only looks into the children’s current needs but also sets them on a road for a brighter future.” added Brother Anthony.