US President Obama flew into Malaysia on 21 November 2015 to attend a series of meetings with Asean and regional leaders. The event was opened by the Prime Minister, Najib Razak. Obama took some time off his packed schedule to visit the Dignity for Children Foundation, an educational learning centre for urban poor and refugee children, located in Sentul, Kuala Lumpur.

The centre which was founded by Rev. Elisha Satvinder and his wife, Petrina, 15 years ago, aims to provide quality education to the city poor and displaced refugee children living in Malaysia. The centre, which started with only 20 children now has over 1,000 vulnerable children ranging from pre-school to higher education. Its aim is to break the cycle of poverty through quality education thereby positively transforming their lives and the lives of the community around them.

Alleviating poverty through quality education is both a challenge and opportunity facing the world today. Education transforms lives and transforms it forever. The recognition of the transformative power of education by policy-makers will definitely achieve genuine change in the world. The President’s visit will no doubt enhance the work of the centre.