KUCHING – For many of us, Saturdays are precious – it’s the time to sleep in, go window shopping or even spend time idling away at home. But for 10 students of Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, it was a day to volunteer their time and energy at the Sarawak Cheshire Home.
Armed with hats, gloves, bush-cutters and machetes, they set out to do their part for the less fortunate in the community, recently.
Ivana Kmecova, an exchange student from Swinburne’s home campus in Melbourne, Australia, swept the front lawn of the Home and engaged in an enthusiastic conversation with her fellow students and residents of the Home at the same time.
“Participating in charity work is a great diversion from our usual routine of classes, studying, or research. Before this, I am not sure how to go about approaching homes such as this while I am here,” said the final-year accounting student who is a keen volunteer in community work wherever she goes.
“But with Swinburne Sarawak organising such activities, I can continue to contribute to the community here,” Kmecova said.
Organised by the Student Operations Department of the university, the voluntary work at the Cheshire Home was an activity where its student could contribute to the community in which they live.
“Many students are not aware of or have never taken part in voluntary work so this is to give them some exposure,” said Cosmas Klumai of the department. “By organising voluntary activities, we hope to inculcate in these youth the spirit of voluntarism as well as enhancing their self-development. Through these activities we can also develop quality human capital.”
The volunteers comprised of Australian, Indonesian, Malaysian and Sudanese and students.
“This is the first time we organise such an activity but I am happy with the students’ response and their enthusiasm,” Cosmas said, adding that participating in voluntary work is good for the heart and soul.
He said the university will continue to team up with non-profit organisations and involve both staff and students in charitable projects.
While helping to clean the home and its surrounding areas this batch of volunteers also mingled with the residents of the Home, many of whom are physically challenged, and put smiles on their faces.
Established in 1969, the Sarawak Cheshire Home is one of five such homes in Malaysia. The not-for-profit organisation aims to create an enabling environment for disabled persons to lead empowered lives.
The Sarawak Cheshire Home will be having its annual sale to raise funds this Sunday (Eds: 4 July).