With the theme, ‘Empowerment through Reading’, 13 students from Group 8 of UTAR Public Relations (PR) CSR Project 2020 conducted a CSR project for children at Vision Home, Ipoh on 14 March 2020.

Supervised by UTAR PR lecturer-cum-project advisor Diong Fong Wei, the students successfully set up a reading corner at Vision Home to instil love and interest of reading among the orphans.

During the preparation, UTAR students visited SK Sentosa, Kampar for a book donation drive collaboration; hoping to engage the community with CSR initiatives. Through this collaboration, they successfully collected 134 books within a week for Vision Home.

The students specifically created a few interactive yet educational games for the children, including flashcard games, book wrapping and mural painting. In addition, the members presented a short sketch, “Snow White” because they believe using motions to tell a story can trigger the children’s interest in reading.

The manager of Vision Home, Asher Amos expressed his gratitude to UTAR PR students during the launching ceremony as the outcome of the reading corner was beyond his expectation. He believed that the new reading corner would bring improvements to the children in the aspect of academic and communication. He thanked the university students for bringing liveliness to the dull and ordinary room.

One of the children of Vision Home, Vijendran mentioned that the reading corner has more interesting reading materials now. Thus, he would spend more time at the corner. He also would take the initiative to arrange and clean the reading corner besides ensuring the books are well taken care of.

“I have managed Vision Home for almost 11 years, many associations and NGOs have approached Vision Home, but, this CSR project is by far the best project, I have never regretted approving and letting it run,” said Assistant Supervisor of Vision Home Erika Robert. Lastly, she also mentioned that UTAR PR students are friendly, efficient and well-prepared in ensuring the success of this project.

Group 8 Project Director, Lam Jeen Yee hopes that Vision Home will enjoy using the reading corner as much as the members enjoyed establishing it. “As university students, we are excited to take up the role to promote reading among children who will be our future leaders. We read to lead, and we want the future generation to have that opportunity too,” she said.

UTAR PR CSR Project 2020 was carried out by 150 undergraduate students of Bachelor of Communication (Hons) Public Relations of UTAR, Kampar Campus in March 2020 to fulfil the coursework requirement of a course – UAMP3084 Corporate Social Responsibility. The students were divided into 12 groups in carrying out various CSR projects concerning economic, environmental and social demands in meeting the needs of the local community members and also promoting environmental sustainability in order to improve the life of the people in Perak.