ICS sends festive warmth to the needy

A total of 36 volunteers from UTAR Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS) visited SJK (C) Sin Min, Simpang, Taiping on 19 January 2019 to spread the Chinese New Year (CNY) festive cheer.

The volunteers with donation recipients and Vice Principal of SJK (C) Sin Min Ooi Ai Tee (last row, far right)

The ICS community outreach activity aimed to spark continuous interactions between UTAR ICS and the community. It also aimed to uphold the spirit of serving and learning among UTAR ICS students with the hope that it will encourage more volunteering and contributions from students to the community.

The event saw the volunteers presenting angpauand hampers to 15 students from single parent and needy families. In addition, the ICS volunteers also prepared various activities such as singing CNY songs, playing games and making handcrafts to have fun with the school children.

ICS volunteers teaching school children to make handcrafts

Joyful faces after the handcraft session

The students of SJK (C) Sin Min

After the school visit, the group continued their journey to Wonder Farm Mushroom Sdn Bhd at Kampung Setia, Simpang, Taiping. The visit aimed to provide hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of the local mushroom industry which has received increased attention in recent years.

Tan introducing the local mushroom industry

Wonder Farm Mushroom Sdn Bhd Manager Tan Teik Khang gave a brief explanation about the mushroom industry. He also explained about the types of mushrooms, methods of growing, benefits of consuming, and food and drinks made out of mushrooms. Then, the group was given a chance to make compost bags for growing mushrooms while visiting the mushroom farm.

ICS students making mushroom compost bags

Students excited to see the fresh black fungus for the first time

ICS students with Wonder Farm Mushroom Sdn Bhd Founder Tan Ti Sheak (far right)

Year Two Chinese Studies student Chong Shi Qi said, “Throughout this event, I realised that if we spread joy, we will feel happy as well. For example, when I received the mushroom and planted it, I felt fresh as a daisy. And I hope I could share this happiness with others.”

Year One Chinese Studies student Ang Yuh Chyng, who is a former student of SJK (C) Sin Min, felt great to be back to her primary school to carry out the voluntary work. She said, “I was excited to be back as a volunteer for my juniors. During the interactive session, I was reminded of my time being here at school. Both the voluntary work and visit gave me an incredible experience, one that I may not experience in any ordinary days. I have learnt a lot throughout this event and I hope to participate in the next community outreach activity.”

Event Co-advisor Mok Tuck Hau said, “Being a university ‘for the people, by the people’, the establishment of UTAR relies on the substantial supports from multitudinous individuals of society. Therefore, through this activity, we hope that we can contribute to society and share the resources with the community. Apart from broadening the Chinese Studies students’ horizons, we also hope that by joining this activity, they can walk out from the ivory tower and learn the true meaning of Confucius’ quote ‘If a man wishes to enlarge himself, he also seeks to enlarge others’ as well as comprehend the philosophy ‘help the public by bestowing something and relieve the people with liberal aid (intrigue them towards charity)’.”

The event coordinator, who is also ICS Faculty General Office Manager, Woo Jen Lin thanked everyone for coordinating the event and said, “I met many helpful and generous people while coordinating this event. Some of them even shared their knowledge and experience in carrying out charities in Perak and Klang Valley. I learnt a lot from them. It’s one of the greatest experiences in my life. My heartfelt thanks to ICS staff, students and donors for their generous contributions and support for this event. May their thoughtful deeds and gifts bring joy and warmth to all the recipients.”

The ICS Community Outreach Activity concluded when ICS Head of Postgraduate Programmes-cum-Event Advisor Dr Wong Lih Lih, Mok and Woo presented angpau and hampers to five single-parent families and needy families on 20 January 2019 and 23 January 2019 at Matang Village, Taman Simpang Bakti and Pokok Assam.

Dr Wong (far left) presenting angpau and hampers to a needy family from Matang Village

Mok (left) and Woo presenting angpau and hampers to to a needy family from Matang Village

Donations List – Single Parent Families and Needy Families (SJK C Sin Min, Matang Village, Taman Simpang Bakti and Pokok Assam)

Goodies Bag (Interaction Session) – SJK C Sin Min, Simpang, Taiping

Please visit the below link for more photographs on the event.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/vEZEYvBQGNRrWUDY7

Prepared by Ms Woo Jen Lin, edited by DCCPR