Finding happiness through helping others

By M. Izham B. Hashim
Pictures by Victor Lo

The spirit of volunteerism is a virtue which should be cultivated among the community, especially the youth to play a major role in the development of the country.

These were the views of Consumer and Community Development Minister YB Datuk Azizah Hj Mohd Dun during the opening ceremony of the state level KARISMA Home Health Care Volunteer Service at Wisma Muis on Saturday.

"The silent dedication shown by the volunteers in giving their time and effort to help others is part of the out-reach endeauvour that  touches the lives of many throughout the country.

"Voluntary work helps develop a strong community spirit, and is the foundation of civil society which promotes an ethos of helping, cooperating, sharing and motivating people to come together and reach out to others needing help,” she said

Earlier in her speech, Azizah called on the youth to give back to society what they have received by getting involved in more voluntary activities.

“In line with 2013 being the Year of Volunteerism envisioned by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak, the KARISMA Home Healthcare initiative is a platform for young volunteers to make positive contribution to community development, “she said, after conferring the outstanding volunteers awards in recognition of their valuable contributions to society.

Leading the effort to promote volunteerism among the community, the Malaysian Social Welfare Department (JKM) together with the Sabah Ministry of Community Development and Consumer Affairs launched a community outreach programme involving an umbrella body of non-governmental organizations, welfare associations and charities from Sabah and Labuan.

Under this out-reach programme, teams of volunteers from voluntary welfare organizations and charities visit  homes of the elderly throughout Sabah to help run daily household chores such as general housekeeping, personal care, shopping for groceries and helping with simple errands to ensure they live comfortably.

For two young volunteers, physical disability was not a hindrance to their resolve to be actively involved in voluntary and community services.

“As I confronted and reflected on my disability, I became more determined to give back to society by reaching out to others in any way I can,” Fariz Bin A. Rani, 33 said.

Fariz, who also runs a business supplying prosthesis, believes that volunteerism gives people the opportunity to reach out and enrich the lives of others by giving them encouragement, support and hope.

For Lidwina Isidore, 19, a Form 6 student from SMK Perempuan Likas, people with disabilities have shown great determination in participating in voluntary activities despite their limitations which should serve as an inspiration to the community.

The youngsters were among the volunteers from various non-governmental organisations, charities and associations involved in the joint-initiative to provide voluntary home-care services for the elderly.

Among those who attended were Datuk Asnimar Haji Sukardi, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Community Development and Consumer Affairs, Ithong Terang, Director of the Ministry of Welfare Services, Zulkiflie Hassan, Director of the Welfare Department of Labuan, Zulkhairie Zainol Abidin Assistant Director of the Steering Committee of the Malaysian Welfare Department. Insight Sabah