Volunteerism reaches out

After the launching on 26 March 2013 of 'Volunteerism II: Continuing the Legacy' campaign, which is a continuation of 'Volunteerism Campaign: Volunteers Work for Change', Public Relations (PR) students of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) initiated the outreach activities for the campaign on 13 April 2013.

The first volunteerism campaign was held in 2011 where final-year UTAR PR students helped set up a 'U-Liang' library in Tronoh Mines New Village.  In the second campaign, a joint project with Kampar district council, present final-year PR students followed their seniors' footsteps to improve the lives of the villagers.

"Doing good [deeds] to the society is a responsibility that each and every one of us should undertake," said Home Affairs Deputy Minister Dato' Lee Chee Leong, when launching the outreach activities of Volunteerism II campaign at the new village on 13 April 2012.

Earlier he congratulated the students for their unyielding efforts and contributions in making the campaign a success.  He added, "Through the outreach activities such as health checks, gotong-royong and education workshops the students will show how much they are willing to contribute and truly care for the wellbeing of the Tronoh Mines New Village community."

"The campaign activities are aimed at improving the lives of the Tronoh Mines community and to instil a sense of volunteerism among the public and students," said Lim Jean Nie, director of the parent campaign of volunteerism campaigns UTAR PR Campaign 2013.

She added, "To achieve the maximum impact, we have carried out a series of outreach activities such as mini cinema screening, mural painting, gotong-royong, recycling activities, free health checks, beautifying the new village by planting trees and flowering plants, and a café made from recycled and unwanted materials.

"We hope that more youths like us and the public of Kampar will become more proactive in community services."    

The ceremony also saw Lim handed over a donation of RM20,000 to Tronoh Mines Community Club formally known as U-Liang Library. 

Also present at the ceremony were Kampar District Council President Tuan Haji Abdul Hakim bin Haji Ibrahim and his secretary Nor Akmal bin Yang Ghazali, Dato' Lee's special assistant Daniel Wa Wai How, MCA Kampar Division Deputy Chairman Chang Gwo Chyang, Tronoh Mines New Village Head Cheah Ah Low, Sin Min primary school principal Yee Chun Weng, UTAR Vice President Dr Teh Chee Seng, UTAR Faculty of Arts and Social Science Dean Dr Cheah Phaik Kin and her deputy Gan Pei Lee.

At the ceremony  (from left): Yee, Cheah, Dato' Lee, Tuan Haji Abdul Hakim, Dr Teh and Lim

Lim handing over the mock cheque to Yee while others look on

VIPs, volunteers and schoolchildren launching water rockets

Volunteers arranging the books to be donated to Tronoh Mines Community Club

Dato' Lee and volunteers painting a speed hump

Wonderland café built with reused and recycled items

Volunteers working together during the gotong-royong