Volunteer initiative begins on Goodall’s birthday

Living icon: Goodall is a wildlife conservationist who has been described as the world’s most famous primate expert. — Reuters

KUALA LUMPUR: A youth-led action programme has marked its founder Dr Jane Goodall’s birthday by launching an award initiative to encourage more youth to volunteer.

Roots and Shoots Malaysia said the award programme was inspired by Goodall who turned 85 yesterday.

She is a wildlife conservationist who has been described as the world’s most famous primate expert.

Up to 30 participants will be selected to volunteer at one to three partner organisations of Roots and Shoots Malaysia from July to September.

There are 15 partner organisations, including the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs, Persatuan Pelin­­dung Harimau Malaysia, Tro­pical Rainforest Conservation and Research Centre and Turtle Conser­vation Society of Malaysia. Participants will also get the opportunity to attend a workshop hosted by the Google Earth Outreach, which will give them skills to use Google mapping technology.

Upon completion of the programme, each participant will receive different levels of the award based on how many hours they have clocked in. The application process to join the award is opened from now until April 30. It is available for youths aged 16 to 25.

Yayasan Hasanah will also be the initiative’s community partner.

Roots and Shoots Malaysia president T.P. Lim said the project was three years in the making and was aimed to encourage and inspire young people to volunteer.

Describing it as a “win-win situation” for both partner organisation and youth volunteers, he said the programme filled a gap in the volunteering landscape in the country.

“It is a win for the organisations in terms of the publicity and making it easy for them to be found (by volunteers).

“It is also a win for the volunteers because they are doing real work with organisations, and they will benefit greatly,” he said yesterday at the programme launch.

Yayasan Hasanah managing director Shahira Ahmed Bazari said the initiative is something their team is looking forward to as it creates a “movement of volunteers”.

To find out more about the award, visit http://www.rootsandshoots­award.my.