Help for hungry students at UMT
GOING to a higher-learning institution is a big transition for post-secondary school students, not just in studies, but also life’s challenges that make them independent.
One lesson that undergraduates have to learn is the efficient management of finances to get by in their day-to-day lives.
When before their pocket money is managed by their parents, university freshmen will discover that it is now up to them to plan their finances wisely.
With the rising cost of things and limited funds, students often find themselves compromising between their needs and wants. And usually, the first thing they choose to cut down on their expenditure is food.
At Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), there are efforts to help students in this situation, namely through two volunteer projects — the Act of Kindness (AOK) and Gerobok Rezeki Mutiara@UMT (GR).
Initiated by UMT’s School of Ocean Engineering lecturers Dr Wan Rafizah Wan Abdullah and Dr Nazaitulshila Rasit in February last year, AOK began by providing free meals to needy students at the university’s Central Lecture Complex. The service has expanded to five stations around campus.
GR, meanwhile, was initiated by Dr Izan Jaafar, the director of UMT’s Centre of Holistic Development and Counselling for Students in March last year.
It gives away canned and dried food, as well as beverages and basic necessities to those on a tight budget.
GR is inspired by Projek Gerobok at numerous mosques around the country, where canned food and other essential supplies are provided to the local congregation. Funds and supplies for the two projects are donated by UMT staff, alumni and individuals.
Both AOK and GR are run by some 100 volunteer students, who assist in the management and distribution of food.
“Cases of needy students are a norm at every university.
“AOK and GR are modest efforts to lighten their burden apart from the official support provided by the university’s endowment programmes and zakat.
“AOK and GR aim to inculcate the culture of giving and volunteering — from buddies to help buddies in need,” said Izan.
The volunteers will act as runners to deliver and distribute food at AOK stations, purchase and restock GR station supplies, man the GR operations room, and assist in charity sales to raise funds.
Fundraising activities include selling canned food, packet drinks, pre-loved books and clothes, and collecting recyclable items.
It makes me realise that regardless of age or situation, we can actually make a difference in someone else’s life and create bigger differences in ours. In future, I hope AOK and GR will get more support in terms of funds and groceries.