YSS: Volunteer work can empower undergrads

KUALA LUMPUR: Participating in vo­lunteer work can empower un­­der­­graduates in line with the 2050 National Transformation (TN50) agen­da, Yayasan Sukare­la­wan Sis­wa (YSS) said.

Its chairman Datuk Zuraidah Atan said a total of 571 students from public and private tertiary institutions in the country had signed up as foundation members.

“Since its inception in 2012, the YSS volunteers have participated in missions in the country – such as helping the flood victims – and over­­seas, including a volunteer mission to Luang Prabang, Laos, in 2014,” she said at a YSS and United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme at Rumah Seri Kenangan in Cheras here.

UNV representative for Disaster Risk Reduction Ah Jon Cha Pik invi­ted youths to join as UNV members.

“This year, we open up opportunity for YSS volunteers to serve as UNV members to join in programmes abroad such as in the Middle East, Africa and South America,” he said.

The UNV currently has over 7,000 members from various countries with only seven from Malaysia.

UNV, which is based in Bonn, Germany, active­­ly contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide.

Earlier at the event, 64 volunteers took part in activities such as painting murals, sprucing up the botanical garden and socialising with the residents of the old folks home.

YSS is a wholly-owned entity of the Higher Education Ministry. Its main objective is to promote Malaysia as an education hub and to produce world’s class volunteer leaders. — Bernama