Minister in charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim on Tuesday said the programmes, run by Malay-Muslim welfare organisations, have helped more than 8,400 men women and children in the past three years.

The projects are likely to see another 5,000 come on board this year, said Dr Yaacob who handed out cheques to fund the programmes in the year ahead.

The programmes will cost about $755,000. Half the money was disbursed on Tuesday.

The projects were started as part of the Community Leaders' Forum, which was set up in 2003 to allow Malay-Muslim organisations to work together to solve social problems.

There are 17 organisations on board now and their efforts are coordinated by the self-help group Mendaki. One programme, dubbed Youth in Action, provides young students at risk of dropping out with mentors to talk with.

Another reaches out to parents from low-income families whose children are finding it hard to cope in school. Yet another involves extra classes for Upper Primary school kids who failed in Maths.

Low-income parents who were part of a support group were given tips on how to become more involved in their child?s education.

Others, who were on financial assistance programmes, received help in getting jobs.

Since the groups were formed in 2005, most participating families have gotten off the dole and their kids are doing better in school.