I am a Reader Volunteer for the Blind

 When I was a 'little', cutie-mutie girl of Standard 2 to Standard 4 (haha ok, ok, not so little :P ), there were many examples in the essays either in Malay or English subjects that a person inside the text did charity works during his or her weekends and they were good time managers too where they would have certain time allocations to study and also do the charity works - For examples: go to old-folk's home  or orphanage that subconsciously I have a dream of doing volunteer works when I can be independent, and only now when pursuing my bachelor's degree that the opportunity comes.

I have been a reader volunteer for the blind since I was in Semester 1, Year 1 and now I am in Semester 1, Year 2 of my studies. It started from my ex-roommate during Year 1 who had invited me to join her to be a reader volunteer for the blind. In Kolej Kediaman Kelima year 2011, there was an event done at night in Dewan Makan, where the reader volunteers made a tour to colleges to introduce this charity work. I attended the event and had an intention to participate in the activity. I did sign up for the reader volunteer but eventually there was no call or contact from the tour committees regarding the position of been a volunteer until my friend told me that she had signed-up to be a reader volunteer for a Chinese Bachelors degree student who was looking for more reader volunteers to help him in his studies. So, I registered myself through that.


 The person that I'm helping named Lim Tien Hong. He was a Bachelors degree student when I been his reader and now he is pursuing his Ph.D education in Business and Economy faculty (if I not mistaken :P). He graduated with FIRST CLASSS HONOURS during the convocation ceremony held on the 1st to 6th October 2012. He is a tutor in Business and Economy faculty and he is actually can be considered among the successful blind person in a Blind Association (not sure what the name of the association, but he often talk about it too). He will receive a recognition next week if I not mistaken from the association. Not only that, he will be going for a trip to an outside country next January too. Though that he is a blind person, we can see that he lives his life to the fullest!

So, basically, what do I do as a reader volunteer for the blind? 

1. Well of course, the first thing that is obvious: WE READ to our friends since some of them can't see at all and some can only see for around 5 to 10%. 
2. Accompany our friend to make errands for his/her needs. For example, certain day when I'm free, I will accompany him to go to night market near to University of Malaya and accompany/escort/ send him to Puduraya with some of his other reader volunteers.
3. Since I'm majoring in English education, he sometimes will ask me to edit his works and writings.  

             If you think you are interested to be Lim's volunteer, feel free to contact him at 016 - 268 5672 or his FB: Lim Tien Hong.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Student In Free Interprise (SIFE) (now is ''Enactus'')

On the 15 -17th of October 2012, there had been a national exposition of Student In Free Interprise (SIFE) of whole Malaysia universities, to compete in representing Malaysia to SIFE World Cup in Washington D.C.

What is SIFE (pronounce: saif) or now ENACTUS?

According to Wikipedia (2012):

Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE), rebranded in Oct. 2012 as Enactus, is an international non-profit organization that works with leaders in business and higher education to mobilize university students to make a difference in their communities while developing the skills to become socially responsible business leaders. Participating students form teams on their university campuses and apply business concepts to develop outreach projects that improve the quality of life and standard of living for people in need. An annual series of regional and national competitions provides a forum for teams to present the results of their projects, and to be evaluated by business leaders serving as judges. National champion teams advance to the prestigious Enactus World Cup. In addition to the community aspect of the program, Enactus leadership and career initiatives create opportunities for learning and exchange among the participants as well as the placement of students and alumni with companies in search of emerging talent.

(more details at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Students_in_Free_Enterprise)

University of Malaya didn't make it to represent Malaysia but we are proud to represent University of Malaya in this prestigious event. Many universities representatives were there and the environment was very heat with passions that some students were cheering their university's cheer all the time throughout the competition. 

I had a chance to represent University of Malaya (I was one of the presenters). We had presented our two projects in Perlis Hall, Putra World Trade Centre, which were used cooking oil recycling project and food waste management project.  

Let me tell you something personal :) The below picture is the picture I was presenting in front of judges and other universities delegates. I have an old picture back in 1990's of my father, who was working as a security  officer for Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), where in that picture, my dad was presenting some findings on a graph in front of other people, at the same room. hehehe It seems ironic. :) Like history repeating itself. :P 

Well, before we had our presentation on Monday, there was a dinner held, to give awards and to fill our stomach too! ;D

The picture below is a picture of our delegates of University of Malaya, taken a picture with Datin Norlela Nuruddin (at the middle, next to me), our SIFE Malaysia Country Director.

In October 2012, SIFE has been officially re-branded around the world. Further info on Enactus Malaysia can be browsed here: http://enactus.org/country/malaysia/