More plans to boost volunteerism

By SUSAN TAM

THE success of the inaugural “Be an Angel'' campaign to promote volunteerism has prompted organisers to plan for a second instalment next year.

Co-organiser Hati.org.my representative Kok Hee Poh said more than half of the campaign’s participants had agreed to return next year.

Last Sunday, 28 able-bodied participants received their “wings,” which symbolises certificates of acknowledgement for their contributions throughout the 10-month campaign.

Kindergarten teacher Lisa Yong said the campaign should serve as an activity for those who “complained a lot or claim that they have many problems.”













The graduates of the 'Be an Angel' inaugural campaign.

“This group of people should be encouraged to volunteer under this campaign and work with welfare homes, shelters and other organisations for the disabled or underprivileged. They will realise that their problems are minor compared to those faced by the less fortunate,” she said.

The 28-year-old said she had initially taken many things for granted but realised otherwise after working with this community.

For wheelchair-bound 35-year-old Chan Ming Lai, he said the volunteers had contributed a lot to the campaign.

Chan, who is from the Beautiful Gate Foundation, said the campaign was successful and hoped that the participants would continue to volunteer not only at the foundation but other organisations as well.

Foundation director Sia Siew Chin said the participants, who were from different professional backgrounds, provided much needed help for the disabled community.

“For example, we now have plans for Autocad training for the disabled and this was made possible through some volunteers who are engineers by profession,” she said.

The volunteers had to first attend a camp at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in April to give them an insight into volunteerism and tips on how to work with the disabled.

Phase Two of the campaign, called “Angels-at-Work”, required volunteers to sign up to work 15 hours over a period of two months in any organisation of their choice.

Upon completion of the 15 hours, the volunteers would be given their “wings” and a certificate to acknowledge their contributions.

Source : http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/10/4/central/12188698&sec=central