12 UMP MASKUM volunteers brought cheers to orphans in Aceh

By: RAHMAN AHMAD, DEPARTMENT OF STUDENT AFFAIRS AND ALUMNI

A total of 12 volunteers from Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) took time off to bring some cheers to orphans at Mukanol Udubiyah Orphanage in Acheh on December 5, 2018.

They were part of the volunteers from the Malaysia Universities Volunteer Council (MASKUM).

They helped to spruce up the place by adding ferro-cement chairs and tables and shared their experience in making keropok lekor that was later feted to the orphans, totalling 50 of them.

The activity was part of the Aceh Global Exploration programme organised by Department of Student Affairs and Alumni (JHEPA) and supported by UMP Eco Pest Sdn. Bhd. and Kenz Trans & Travel Sdn. Bhd.

Programme Director, Siti Aishah Darmawanshah, who is from Faculty of Industrial Management (FPI) said, although preparations had been made prior to their trip, they still had to face some challenges especially in getting the building material as the material used was different as compared to Malaysia.

“This challenge taught us new things such as using different type of sand, bricks and frames.

“However, we were satisfied that we were able to complete the chairs and tables in two days and can be used by the children,” she said.

She added that the volunteers also got to meet 40 of the children at Cinta Kasih Orphanage.

She also said other than the motivational programmes conducted that helped to cheer up the children, the orphanage was presented with fans and insect repellent device, Pest Killa.

JHEPA General Manager and Programme Advisor, Abd. Rahman Haji Safie said, the programme helped to improve the volunteers’ skills and that they were able to enhance and practice what that had been taught.

“The programme could help improve their skills and creativity and that they can practise whatever that have been learned.

“They can go down to the field themselves and foster loser ties with the local people and support UMP agenda in communitising the technology,” she said.

Siti Aishah also said they got exchange experiences with students from Universitas Syiah Kuala.