PETALING JAYA: Tears fell when Tan Hee Woy saw the mud-caked SMJK Hwa Lian in Mentakab, with many parts of the school badly ruined by floodwater last week.

       The 59-year-old Chinese teacher is extremely upset because the school is his second home.

       “I started teaching here in 1988 and this was my first job posting. Teaching here has been very fulfilling and I have a lot of good memories.

       “Even my three daughters studied here and they have graduated,” said Tan.

       The school started with just about 110 students and five teachers back in 1958. Currently, there are around 1,400 students and 100 teachers.

       Tan vividly remembers the early days when the school structure was basic and simple.

       “The school hall was converted from two classrooms. We made do with what we could. What a difference now. We have a proper hall and it is air-conditioned,” he said, adding that the school went through so much to be where it is today.

       “I am grateful because we have received generous support from all parties. So many helped to raise funds over the years, all of them just wanted the best for our students.”

       Tan, who was away in Kuantan when the flood happened, said this was the first time the school had experienced such extensive damage.

       “The ground floor of the school was completely flooded. Our hall, computer room, library, canteen and office, gone,” he said.

       The chairman of the school’s board of governors, Datuk Hiang A Li, thanked the many alumni, students, parents, teachers and non-governmental organisations, including MCA Crisis Relief Squad (CRSM), which had rallied around the school.

       “Some alumni came from as far as Johor, Kedah and Penang during the big clean-up these few days. We are very touched by their kind gesture.

       “The voluntary fire squad also came to help us clear the 0.3m-thick mud after the flood,” he said.

       Hiang added that in order for the school to reopen in January, they urgently need to raise funds.

       “Many books, computers, bookshelves and equipment need to be replaced. The repairs, meanwhile, are estimated to cost over RM1mil.

       “We are racing against time because the school is going to reopen in a few weeks’ time, and there are a lot to repair and replace,” he said.

       Those wishing to contribute can contact school principal Gan Geok Moi at 019-918 3940 or Hiang at 019-989 6268.

       Alternatively, bank in directly to Public Bank account: 3083078328 (School Board of Directors “Lembaga Pengelola Sek Men Hwa Lian Mentakab”) and WhatsApp 016-390 1528 to get a receipt.