Berita Kampus

The Call to Serve

Buying food for some of the poor families.

Collecting rubbish surrounding the housing area of Kampung Kerinchi.

Higher education has a key role to play in fostering more relational and caring individuals and community service offers a pedagogical opportunity for encouraging the development of more caring selves. In line with that, the Community Sociology Society of TAR College recently participated in the 1st College and University Student Assembly (CUSA) held at Wisma Belia, MAYC Kuala Lumpur.

The assembly was a gathering of like-minded youths from 12 universities and colleges around Malaysia who chose to spend 3 days serving the community and picking up useful skills in volunteerism. Interestingly enough, the activities that took place centred around the CUSA theme “Volunteer: Practice as a Way of Life.” The theme rings so true when it comes to the act of giving; when done with willingness and regularity, it becomes second nature.

During the assembly, the ‘volunteers’ were divided into 6 groups and sent to different places for community work such as to Kampung Kerinchi, Old Town Pasar and

Spastic Home. The volunteers were required to clean the housing area in Kampung Kerinchi. Low Ghet Yin, secretary of the society said, “During the community service, we helped everyone regardless of race, religion or background. All of us worked together to give our hand to people who really needed our care and love.” In addition, the volunteers who were involved at Old Town Pasar had to raise money to buy food for the poor families who lived at Kampung Kerinchi.

“We learned a lot about caring and giving not for popularity or material gain but for the sake of others”, said Chung Hun Fai, vice-chairman of the society. This young lad was elated when TAR College won the “Best Leadership Award” after the presentation on the society and what it does using video clips and power point slides in the ‘Sharing of Best Practice in Community Service’ activity.

This campaign had certainly broadened the horizons of these youths who answered the call to serve.

Washing the floor and the walls of the building.

Berita Kampus is a publication of the Department of Development and External Relations of TAR College (the Publisher). No part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means - electronic or mechanical including but not limited to recording, taping, or information storage or retrieval systems - without prior permission of the Publisher. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information published, the Publisher shall not be held responsible for any errors and or omission therein.