Asean student volunteers able to help regional communities

KUALA LUMPUR: The Student Volunteer Foundation ( YSS) is able to develop Asean student volunteers as role models who are capable of assisting regional communities during crisis situations, says its chairman Datuk Zuraidah Atan.

Zuraidah said this is because at every volunteer programme, students would be given the exposure to be involved in community development activities.

Since YSS was established in 2012, 1,500 members have been actively involved in carrying out volunteer work in Asean countries, she added.

“We are not only actively developing volunteer leaders in Malaysia but also in other countries. We want to produce volunteers who are role models and able to share their knowledge at the international level,” she told Bernama when met at the YSS- Asean Volunteer Leadership Development Programme and YSS-Asean Alumni Strategic Retreat in Bangi on Thursday.

The six- day programme began on Dec 12. YSS is an organisation that brings together student volunteers from higher education institutions representing 10 Asean countries.

A Malaysian student, Taqiuddin Hamzah, 27, said after one year experience in YSS and working with non- governmental organisations, he had developed a passion in helping others, within and outside the country.

He said he had learned and was able to adapt to the culture of people from neighbouring countries when he participated in volunteer programmes in Vietnam and Indonesia.

“Asean students, especially those under YSS, are able to move between cultural realms to learn and appreciate the values and customs of people of other countries.

“This out- of- class learning experience is crucial in realising the one vision, one identity and one community’ concept,” said the finance and banking student from Universiti Utara Malaysia.

A participant from China, Ma Wenxin @ Hind Hasan, 24, said the YSS programme had given him the opportunity to share knowledge and experience with those in need.

He said when he participated in the YSS programme in Sarawak last July, he conducted educational programmes for families in the rural areas, adding that he still maintained good relationship with the people.

“At the end of each volunteer programme, we not only gain new experience but also make new friends and learn about their culture,” said the Masters in Development Studies undergraduate from Universiti Malaya. — Bernama