volunteerism leadership

Dear beloved family, friends, current and ex-students,

I hope all of you are in good health and happy amongst family members and friends.
Firstly, I apologize for not being able to attend to friends request and reply to messages in the last few months. My current job is actually taking me away from the luxury of getting aquainted with all of you. More over, its the management policy that Facebook is one of the many sites besides friendster and other social media being banned from us in the management team getting access to. These are one of the may things that we have to sacrifice in the name of making UiTM a better place for the students and lecturers.

However, lecturers in faculties still get the privelege to do so. Anyway, that is good because we can get very good information and keep track on who is saying what to the intended parties in Facebook – I’m now refering to my current students. Even though I may not be teaching them in class, but all of the Faculty of Art and Design Students are my students.
I heard some returning students from practical training are complaining about the timetable, and using nasty language openly in Facebook.

May I remind you that whatever you do or say in campus or in public reflects the kind of mentality, character and personality that you have – Here in UiTM, we are giving you the landscape to learn knowledge of your field of interests as well as giving you the opportunity to develop your potential as leaders.

If you are not happy with the system, lecturers, subjects that are thought, methods of delivery, faculty, having to share parking lots with the lecturers etc.. I understand the constraints – we all are having nightmares every single day fighting silently with regards to having to give in to students who drives cars filling our parking lots!. Please be brave and come forward to the Deans office, and speak to our Deputy Dean ( Students Affair and Alumni), Prof Madya Dr Ruslan Abdul Rahim, who is also active in Facebook, and we will try to rectify and find solutions to the problem. ( by the way, he is aware of this current problem and ask the student to come forward, and I have identified the student as well)

Dont be a coward by complaining, cursing and using foul language just to prove a point. Thats not very clever, boys and girls, you are going to be University graduates very soon, please show some integrity and class! Be thankful that you were the chosen one amongst the many others who genuinely wants to study and become somebody. Be thankful that you have other priveleges, shelter, food, pocket money, teachers, family, friends who are there for you when you need them. Be thankful that you have a great opportunity to be of use to the society and community, I HOPE.

On that note, I would like to share with my beloved family, friends, current and ex students, of 1901 Hotdogs – Corporate Social Leadership program – Food for the Homeless. I’d like to thank Encik Afzam Adenan, Brand Manager of 1901 for inviting me to join the volunteer team for this noble purpose. I’m also grateful to the Executive Director and co-Founder of 1901, Encik Ahmad Zakir Ja’afar for giving UiTM the opportunity to participate in this drive and hopefully we can collaborate on doing more Corporate Social Leadership program such as this.

One fine character of a leader that I admire in Encik Zakir is his humbleness in joing the volunteer team on site ( 15 July 09) to mingle with these “Street Buddies” as he called them. This is the kind of role model that I aspire to instill in my students, be humble even though we are highly educated, respect everyone, and we will earn the respect in return.
In this experience, I learned to put my fears aside, I open my eyes, my ears and my heart to them, reaching out to talk to them, shaking their hands and comfort them with empathy. They are human beings, just like us, they have feelings,they have wants and needs, they’re hurting inside. Some of them are young adults, some are middle aged and some are very old. Some are runaways, some being driven away by their family.

Some can speak English and have high hopes on landing themselves on a decent job such as security guard or even a cleaner, so that they are able to be independent. However, these Street Buddies needs proper training before they can be employed. Alot of work needs to be done in changing their mindset, from negative to positive, from worthless to someone of use, raise their self-esteem and help them get back on their feet again. There are psychology issues which needs to be addressed as well.

Some 300-350 packs of food being given away to these Street Buddies every Wednesdays between
5-7pm, and the location is at the small green patch between Central Market and Dayabumi. (next to the river) Anyone who is in my circle of friends and are interested to be part 1901 Volunteer team please email me at csduitm.@yahoo.com.

1901 can only do so much, we can do much more if we all work together in helping the unfortunates and the people who are in real need.

If you dont have the time to join us, perhaps you would like to donate unused casual clothes such as t-shirts, shirts short and long sleeves, pants, jeans etc.. shoes, slippers, sandals ( in good condition), blankets, brand new toiletries – eg toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, shampoo and soap. Medicine such as panadol, antiseptics, lozenges, cracked heel lotion, plasters – basically First aid kit.

I am also a Volunteer of MAKNA (Majlis Kanser Nasional ), they also need these stuffs, including toys and soft toys for children, books etc..

The Community Service Development Unit, University – Industry Linkages and Community Networks, UiTM is in the process of recruiting students and staffs to be Volunteers, UiTM alumni are welcome to join and be the core team leaders – Theres so many community projects ( apart from 1901) that we can embark on collaboration basis. Alumni who are working in local and International companies who is practising Corporate Social Responsibility are most welcome to propose ideas and work together hand in hand with UiTM. We need your support ! Lets help the country and make it a better place to live in!

Be The Difference Maker, Be a Volunteer

Warm regards,
Raba’ah