About HGEF
The Harun
Ghani Education Fund (HGEF) was set up in September 2005 in honor of Mr. Harun Ghani who was a strong and selfless warrior in the fight against drug abuse in Singapore, especially among members of the Malay Muslim community. While there has been success in the war against drug abuse, the problem persists. The community saw the need to continue helping children of incarcerated parents and drug offenders overcome their pain and hardship. By focusing on Rebuilding Lives Through Education, HGEF aims to empower these innocent young victims stay away from drugs and crime to achieve brighter futures.
HGEF currently operates without any full-time staff. Our events are solely supported by volunteer manpower. HGEF gladly welcomes donors and volunteers as mission partners.
Volunteer with HGEF |
Volunteer with HGEF |
IPC Status
HGEF was set up as a sub-fund under Yayasan Mendaki, with IPC status. An IPC is an organisation approved by the Commissioner of Charities to receive tax deductible donations. This means donors are given tax deduction for donations made to HGEF.
HGEF Education Awards 2025/2026
Primary School: $150 Secondary School $200
Millenia Institute, Madrasah, Junior College & ITE: $250
Polytechnic : $1,500
Local University: $2,500
HGEF was set up as a sub-fund under Yayasan Mendaki, with IPC status. An IPC is an organisation approved by the Commissioner of Charities to receive tax deductible donations. This means donors are given tax deduction for donations made to HGEF.
HGEF Education Awards 2025/2026
"Family members have to suffer the pain of watching their loved ones being ruined by drugs. It slowly but surely tears family apart."
Harun Ghani
Quoted at an event in 2001
Objective
HGEF offers monetary education awards to reward children of drug offenders who completed the academic year and progressed to the next educational level. Through these awards, HGEF hopes to motivate students who have an interest in learning to complete a minimum post-secondary education.
To qualify for the HGEF award, applicants must have among other criteria, a gross household per capita income (PCI) of $375 or less. HGEF helps the most needy of recipients. In fact, most of our beneficiaries fall under the poor and the needy designations of the Islamic zakat distribution system.
Our beneficiaries tell us that these awards are important as they help ease the financial burden to get the students equipped for the new school year. The awards also serve as a pat on the back for the young recipients for their resilience.
Apply for Bursary | Donate |
HGEF offers monetary education awards to reward children of drug offenders who completed the academic year and progressed to the next educational level. Through these awards, HGEF hopes to motivate students who have an interest in learning to complete a minimum post-secondary education.
To qualify for the HGEF award, applicants must have among other criteria, a gross household per capita income (PCI) of $375 or less. HGEF helps the most needy of recipients. In fact, most of our beneficiaries fall under the poor and the needy designations of the Islamic zakat distribution system.
Our beneficiaries tell us that these awards are important as they help ease the financial burden to get the students equipped for the new school year. The awards also serve as a pat on the back for the young recipients for their resilience.
Apply for Bursary | Donate |
Remembering
Harun Abdul Ghani
Harun Abdul Ghani
Mr Harun Ghani was born into hardship. His father passed away when he was 6 years old and he was sent to the Darul Ihsan Orphanage by his mother. He knew first hand the challenges of growing up poor, in bad company and without parents. Despite hard times, he pursued education with determination, ultimately, topping his cohort.
Passion For Education
Mr Harun’s passion for education led him to become a teacher, where he became a mentor and role model for many students. Even after he left teaching, he was still affectionately known as 'Cikgu Harun'. His experiences as an orphan instilled in him a deep empathy for disadvantaged communities, particularly those affected by drug abuse.
Political Leader
Beyond his educational and social endeavors, Mr. Harun soon ventured into politics, serving as a Political Secretary and an elected Member of Parliament. In this role, Mr. Harun Ghani was tireless in his efforts to raise the awareness of the drug problem in Singapore. In his own quiet way, he was always thinking of innovative ways to help drug abusers. He played a pivotal role in the guidance and the setting up of drug rehabilitation facilities and halfway houses in the Malay Muslim community at a time when the drug abuse problem was very serious.
Mr. Harun initiated the Meet the Family sessions where he roped in families of drug addicts to help in rehabilitation. The sessions have now become an integral element to rehabilitate not only former addicts but also ex-criminals. His efforts and guidance laid the foundation upon which others have built on and contributed significantly to Singapore's successful management of the drug menace and the sharp decline in drug abuse in the late 1990s.
Legacy
Mr Harun's contributions have left an indelible mark on Singapore's approach to drug rehabilitation and community support. His initiatives underscored the significance of government and community involvement in tackling drug abuse and aiding in the reintegration of former offenders.
His life's work, in preventing drug abuse and rehabilitating offenders, has also left a lasting legacy in Singapore's social fabric, emphasizing education and community support as pivotal elements in addressing societal challenges.
He also firmly believed in guiding the young so that they stay away from drugs and crimes. He once said that our children do not turn delinquent overnight and urged teachers and parents to look out for tell tale signs and to take prompt action before it’s too late.
Those who know Mr Harun would recall, even when he was critically ill with cancer, he did not turn away those who came to see him seeking help.
Finding a way to help others, especially vulnerable children, is the essence of what HGEF stands for.
SERVICE
Started teaching in 1954 at the age of 15.
• 1954-1987 Education Officer
• 1987-1989 Specialist Writer, Curriculum Development Institute of Singapore
• 1989-2001 Political Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs
• 1991-2001 Member of Parliament, Hong Kah GRC
AWARDS
• 1980 - Efficiency Medal
• 1985 - Public Service Medal (Pingat Bakti Masyarakat)
• 2005 - Meritorious Service Medal (Posthumous) (Pingat Jasa Gemilang)
• 2005 - Sword of Temasek
The government awarded the late Mr Harun Bin Abdul Ghani the Meritorious Service Medal (Posthumous) (Pingat Jasa Gemilang) for his significant contributions in community work, especially in the prevention of drug abuse and rehabilitation of ex-drug addicts.
Started teaching in 1954 at the age of 15.
• 1954-1987 Education Officer
• 1987-1989 Specialist Writer, Curriculum Development Institute of Singapore
• 1989-2001 Political Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs
• 1991-2001 Member of Parliament, Hong Kah GRC
AWARDS
• 1980 - Efficiency Medal
• 1985 - Public Service Medal (Pingat Bakti Masyarakat)
• 2005 - Meritorious Service Medal (Posthumous) (Pingat Jasa Gemilang)
• 2005 - Sword of Temasek
The government awarded the late Mr Harun Bin Abdul Ghani the Meritorious Service Medal (Posthumous) (Pingat Jasa Gemilang) for his significant contributions in community work, especially in the prevention of drug abuse and rehabilitation of ex-drug addicts.
Our Patron
Professor Dr Yaacob Ibrahim played an important role in the establishment of Harun Ghani Education Fund (HGEF). Then Minister in charge of Muslim Affairs, Prof Yaacob supported HGEF through Yayasan Mendaki, providing resource and secretariat support to the Fund. As HGEF does not have full time staff, Mendaki assists HGEF in processing the applications online and disburses the funds to beneficiaries after approval from HGEF. Mendaki also works with Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) to process donors' tax relief.
Our Advisors
Mr Khairunan Ali
Chairman
"Being part of HGEF aligns with my values of giving back to society; it allows me to help address the societal challenges faced by children of drug offenders and ensure they have the support they need to build a better future.”
Chairman
"Being part of HGEF aligns with my values of giving back to society; it allows me to help address the societal challenges faced by children of drug offenders and ensure they have the support they need to build a better future.”
Mdm Haslinda Putri Harun
Honorary Secretary
"HGEF not only wants to empower children in terms of education, and ease the financial burden of their families. But we also want to give them the opportunity to explore new experiences and skills. This will provide them with more holistic support and to increase the confidence of these children.”
Honorary Secretary
"HGEF not only wants to empower children in terms of education, and ease the financial burden of their families. But we also want to give them the opportunity to explore new experiences and skills. This will provide them with more holistic support and to increase the confidence of these children.”
Assoc Prof Dr Rashid Tahir
Paediatric Dentist
"Children of drug offenders should not be disadvantaged by the actions of their parents. They should be helped and given the same opportunities as any children. Through HGEF I want to support and encourage these children to continue their education and build a better life for themselves”
Paediatric Dentist
"Children of drug offenders should not be disadvantaged by the actions of their parents. They should be helped and given the same opportunities as any children. Through HGEF I want to support and encourage these children to continue their education and build a better life for themselves”
Dr June Lee
Family Governance Consultant
"What attracts me to HGEF is their focus on the human factor. From the warm welcome extended to young beneficiaries by alumni volunteers (past HGEF awardees) to the personal conversation the founder has with each awardee, the message to each beneficiary is clear - You are important, and We care.”
Family Governance Consultant
"What attracts me to HGEF is their focus on the human factor. From the warm welcome extended to young beneficiaries by alumni volunteers (past HGEF awardees) to the personal conversation the founder has with each awardee, the message to each beneficiary is clear - You are important, and We care.”
Ms Jennifer Chih
Lawyer
"HGEF gives me the opportunity to give back to Singapore, a country where my migrant grandparents, my parents and I have made our lives and our respective futures. It has been good to us, and I would like to do my part to support other Singaporeans in building a better future for themselves and their families."
Lawyer
"HGEF gives me the opportunity to give back to Singapore, a country where my migrant grandparents, my parents and I have made our lives and our respective futures. It has been good to us, and I would like to do my part to support other Singaporeans in building a better future for themselves and their families."
Dr Haslina Hassan
Educator
"HGEF allows me to have the opportunity to reach out to a specific group. Volunteering at HGEF has given me the satisfaction of helping, sharing and giving. The smiles on the children is the beacon that continues to spark the zest to continue to volunteer with HGEF."
Educator
"HGEF allows me to have the opportunity to reach out to a specific group. Volunteering at HGEF has given me the satisfaction of helping, sharing and giving. The smiles on the children is the beacon that continues to spark the zest to continue to volunteer with HGEF."
Datuk Abdul Halim Kader, BBM
Community Leader
"As a testament to Harun Ghani's enduring impact, HGEF remains a beacon of hope for families affected by drug addiction, demonstrating that education remains a powerful tool for transformation and positive change.”
Community Leader
"As a testament to Harun Ghani's enduring impact, HGEF remains a beacon of hope for families affected by drug addiction, demonstrating that education remains a powerful tool for transformation and positive change.”
Mr Abdul Jabbar
Educator
"Education remains our best weapon against drug abuse, and HGEF has helped to cultivate the will and resolve that we need to win this fight. It is heartwarming to know that even after the dust has settled, victory or defeat, HGEF will still be there for us. That makes a huge difference, and makes us unbeatable in this fight against drug abuse."
Educator
"Education remains our best weapon against drug abuse, and HGEF has helped to cultivate the will and resolve that we need to win this fight. It is heartwarming to know that even after the dust has settled, victory or defeat, HGEF will still be there for us. That makes a huge difference, and makes us unbeatable in this fight against drug abuse."
Ms Siti Rozianti
Community Engagement Specialist
"To me, HGEF is more than the foundation. As a former beneficiary, I see HGEF as a community of people who are committed to growing despite their background and triumphing together. I want to help HGEF continue its mission."
Community Engagement Specialist
"To me, HGEF is more than the foundation. As a former beneficiary, I see HGEF as a community of people who are committed to growing despite their background and triumphing together. I want to help HGEF continue its mission."