When giving comes directly from the heart, it can never disappoint or embarrass.

Writer: Nur Amina binti Kamsul (KIL170060)

-- According to Merriam Webster, a volunteer is "a person who expresses a willingness to undertake a service". Being a volunteer means that you are offering something – something that is not required nor an obligation.You do not volunteer for the pursuit of a monetary prize or recognition. You volunteer because the optimist inside you, perhaps the idealist, spies a glimmer of hope. You understand that you are helping.

As a student at the University of Malaya, my friend and I were allowed to conduct a community program for Social Engagement Course. We decided to do this community program at Rumah Hope, No. 45, Jalan 20/2, Paramount Garden, 46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Rumah Hope is a home for abused and neglected children. We were going there one day a week which is on Wednesday from 12 pm to 7 pm.

Before going deeper, let me introduce my group member;

Yu Zheng (white shirt, spectacle girl), Syafiza (grey scarf), Me (Peace's sign), Q (blue shirt), Winnie (behing Q), Xinyi (behind Syafiza), Amirul (guy with black shirt), Firdaus (guy with white shirt)

Preparation Phase

Three weeks before going to Rumah Hope, we make all the preparation for the program. Firstly, we decided on the activities that will be conducted during the program and give ideas to make the activities more fun. We do a group discussion and manage to come out with interesting activities such as drawing, coloring, play games aside from teaching them. We also bought some souvenirs for the kids.

Ongoing Phase

When we first arrived at Rumah Hope, we conducted Ice Breaking sessions with the kids. We got to know their names and ages. Some of them are quite shy. Thus, we had to slowly ask them and make them talk. We go to Rumah Hope four times which is one time a week, on Wednesday. During those four times, there were many experiences we got. We played many games and activities with them. Whenever we were doing activities with them, I can see that they enjoyed the activities that are conducted. It makes me happy to experience this. On the first day, they were quite shy but after a while, they began to be hyperactive and we need to control them. It was a big task for us to handle them but I am very grateful that we managed to distract them to do activities. Some of the activities that we conducted are coloring, drawing, playing badminton and playing snake and ladder playmat. Those activities were conducted after we helped them to finish their homeworks.

For every activity that we conducted, we gave them some gifts to make them happy while doing the activities. Other than doing activities with the kids, we also cleaned the Rumah Hope area to help the housekeeper to keep the place clean and comfortable for the kids. On the last day, we gave a token of appreciation to Mrs. Margaret, the person in charge of Rumah Hope as she allowed us to do the activities with the kids. After that, we bade a farewell with the kids. It is a sad farewell for us as we had so much fun with them.

Post Program Phase

Through this program, there are many things that I have learned. It is not only for me but also for my friends. Volunteering in doing such activities increases my self-confidence. For me, when we are doing good for others and the community, it will provide a natural sense of accomplishment. Our role as a volunteer can also give us a sense of pride and identity. Not many of us nowadays are exposed to do a volunteering program. Last words from me, when giving comes directly from the heart, it can never disappoint or embarrass.