It was more than just fulfilling the requirement of the coursework under the course UAMP3084 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) when Group 4 of the UTAR Public Relations (PR) CSR Project 2020 saw the positive impact their event had on the residents and participants. The event was organised on 7 March 2020 at Kampung Batu Berangkai.

Titled Walk for a Good Health, Clean for a Better Environment, the gotong-royong event aimed to help the community in aspect relating to the economy, environment, and social demands, while also promoting environmental sustainability to improve the lives of Perak community. The group also aimed to clean the waterfall area and create awareness among Kampar residents on the importance of environmental protection in Kampung Batu Berangkai.

Prepared with hand gloves and garbage bags, students and participants collected litter along the road, and separated the items into recyclable and non-recyclable categories. It was also through the event that the group hoped to be able to instil a healthy lifestyle mindset among participants, as well as to enable participants to understand more about environmental preservation.

“This event was more than just enhancing our awareness about environmental conservation. It is an event that also strengthens collaborative ties between our village and UTAR. So this event is important to continue and I hope our locals will also learn to take more active initiative and do their part for the betterment of the environment. Seeing the students’ effort is therefore inspiring and I am happy that the young people are doing their part to look after the environment as well,” said Kampung Batu Berangkai Chief Nordin bin Bahak.

Meanwhile, Project Manager Choo Pui Zhi mentioned, “This event is an encouragement for participants to give back to the society and to help them understand ways to learn a healthy and balanced lifestyle. However, this is not the first gotong-royong done in this village. Our seniors conducted the same activity in 2015 and they painted murals and beautified the waterfall area. So it was also about continuing the good spirit of volunteerism that our seniors have demonstrated and practised.”

Choo added, “Apart from helping the residents and participants to understand environmental protection and educate people on not littering, we also want them to know that keeping the place clean would make it more attractive for tourist to come. We wish to make this place as comfortable as possible so everyone can enjoy Mother Nature in its best form.