GIVING back to a children’s home in Tambunan was never a passing idea for Claijster Christian Sylvester.
For the 19-year-old, it was a personal goal – one that simply needed the right moment.
That moment came late last year, when the final-year Electrical Technology student at Keningau Vocational College (KVC) had his proposal approved by the college leadership in early December.
With the green light secured, the Nabawan-born student wasted no time. Just after Christmas, he spent his school break visiting Bondulu Toboh Children’s Home, meeting its main caretaker and carrying out an initial site inspection – a crucial step, he said, to ensure the project would have real impact.
“As a student leader, I knew proper assessment was essential before any repair or maintenance work could begin,” he said. “The visit allowed me to identify what needed fixing and plan meaningful improvements.”
Weeks later, armed with his hands-on training, Sylvester returned with 25 classmates to put those plans into action.
Together with several lecturers, the 26 students brought both light and learning to the home under an initiative aptly named Volt Prihatin.
More than a routine service visit, the project blended technical training with compassion, highlighting how vocational skills can be a powerful force for good.
The students carried out a range of tasks, including demonstrations on light bulb and socket installation, maintenance of electrical sockets and appliances, and the installation of new lighting in several areas, including the outdoor compound.
For the home, the upgrades meant safer fittings and brighter spaces. For the students, it was an opportunity to apply classroom lessons in a real-world setting while giving back to the community.
“To us, it was about putting what we learned into practice and making a difference,” Sylvester said.
The team also presented daily essentials donated by companies and individuals from Keningau, reflecting a broader spirit of community support.
The project was led by Electrical Technology instructor Haini Kotin and attended by KVC deputy director of academic affairs Amirul Ahuar Abdullah, who personally handed over the donations to the home and its residents.
Sylvester, who is also deputy president of the college’s student representative council, said the initiative stemmed from his long-held wish to help a children’s home in Tambunan.
“When my proposal was approved in early December, I was really happy because I could finally turn that wish into reality,” he said.
He added that careful planning was key.
“That’s why I visited just after Christmas to meet the caretaker and do a site inspection. We needed to understand what was required before bringing everyone in.
“I wanted to make sure our efforts would truly make a difference.”
Reflecting on the visit, Sylvester said it left a lasting impression on the team.
“Their smiles were the brightest light we took home that day. It reminded us that love knows no distance, and that happiness can come from the smallest, most sincere acts of sharing,” he said.
KVC director Lumang Lang praised the initiative, saying it showed the wider role of vocational education beyond the classroom.
Such programmes, he said, not only equip students with practical skills and career opportunities, but also instil responsibility, leadership and a strong sense of service.
Meanwhile, Sylvester said assistance or future community visits to Bondulu Toboh Children’s Home can be coordinated through the person in charge, Sister Stella Gilbert, at 011-26272537.
More than a graduation project, Volt Prihatin was a chance for the students to turn what they had learned into something that truly mattered.
