A group of staff and students from the Centre for Foundation Studies of Kampar Campus recently participated in a community project, aimed at raising awareness among staff and students on the needs of underprivileged communities. The group consisted of 13 staff and eight students.  

Aptly named “100kg of Love”, the goal of the project was to distribute at least 100kg of essentials, collected from staff and students to benefit underprivileged children around Ipoh. The project kicked off with a month-long period of collection of items, which included groceries and other daily needs. Overwhelming support was received in both cash and kind from the students and staff; where cash donations were used to purchase the groceries and other daily necessities required.

The total collection exceeded the initial target of 100kg, with the items collected weighing a total of 715kg. As part of their effort to reflect UTAR’s principle of “by the people, for the people”, the staff and students expressed their hope for this success to inspire more people to volunteer in community projects, as well as to spread the spirit of sharing and community, and to give back to the society.

To distribute the collected items, a group of nine staff and eight students took a trip to Ipoh on 22 February 2020. The items were distributed to three beneficiaries, namely Vision Home, Praise Girls and Boys Home, and Rumah Anak-anak Yatim dan Miskin Anning.

At Vision Home, the day started with games, organised by UTAR students for the 28 children living there, age ranging from eight to 20 years old. Throughout the visit, the children expressed their joy and excitement, accompanied by much laughter as the ice-breaking games were carried out. This was followed by an interactive lunch among the children, caretakers, staff and students, and the presentation of donated items to the representative of Vision Home. The items donated also included a ladder, toolbox, and stand fans.

The group was later greeted by 27 children of Praise Girls and Boys Home, as they made their second stop for the day. They presented the donations to the representatives of the home and had an enjoyable time interacting with the children over tarts and ice creams.

The day ended on a happy note at Rumah Anak-anak Yatim dan Miskin Anning, which houses 30 children. The staff and students interacted happily with the children. They also enjoyed snacks together over a tea break, and the caretakers of the home brought the staff and students of UTAR to visit the scenic areas of the home.

“We are very grateful for the generosity and contribution from UTAR staff and students. The donated items are indeed very helpful, and more importantly, the care and love received from UTAR staff and students have brought joy to the children. I am also very happy, especially when I see the children happy,” enthused Rion bin Ajankal, one of the caretakers of Praise Girls and Boys Home.