Wednesday, 6 March 2013 marked a meaningful moment to six NGO beneficiaries that received donations collected through the selfless efforts of the entire IMU community. The IMU Chariofare’12 organising committee presented the donations raised from the Chariofare last year at the Charity Fund Giving Out Ceremony held at the Auditorium in IMU Bukit Jalil Campus. With the theme ‘Live.Run.Love’, the 5th Chariofare raised a total of RM 138,000. The event was organised to provide sustainable and continual support to six beneficiaries—Rumah Love and Care Kajang, Rumah Shalom, Precious Children Home, Yayasan Sunbeams Home, Persatuan Kebajikan Hope Worldwide KL and Association of Social Services and Community Development of Gombak District (PSPK). These homes include old folks homes and orphanages. The enthusiastic participation from staff and students ensured that the set target for collections was met. This made certain that the six NGO beneficiaries received a much needed financial boost. Of the total amount collected, each home received RM23,000 by way of a cheque signed and presented by YBhg Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Abu Bakar Suleiman, President of IMU. The funds will be used by each organisation according to their needs and importance. Designated use may include improvement of building facilities and the purchase of much needed equipment. In the warm and meaningful atmosphere of the charity fund granting ceremony, Rev. Tang Kam Poh—representative and committee member from Rumah Love & Care Kajang said, “The students’ effort to raise money for us is good as it is important to create awareness amongst the students about caring for people who are in need. The money will be used for the operation of the old folks home and the upgrading of facilities for them. Rumah Love & Care Kajang is part of the Lutheran Church Social Concerns. The home are for senior citizens without families. There are 20 senior citizens in the home in Kajang (11 female and 9 males) aged 60-82.” According to Prof Ong Kok Hai— the Director of External Affairs at IMU, in the future, there will be many other social and charitable activities under the name of IMU Cares which will be carried out both domestically and externally and it will be a regular feature of IMU Cares. However, the main part of IMU Cares is the adoption of community rt the involvement in carrying out health education and health screening in the community. “IMU Cares is the perfect vehicle to achieve IMU’s vision. Taking part of the community service is a part of the KPI for the IMU staff while for students community service a part of their curriculum”, he said. Mr Caesar— The Assistant Program Manager of HOPE worldwide said, “Before this Chariofare, IMU has already been helping us with their Nursing and Psychology students coming to help out. The nursing students have come over many times to teach hand cleanliness to the kids which the kids really enjoyed. These IMU students are sincere in helping us out and are helping with their hearts. They are not just helping to fulfill the community service requirements of their course, as what is done by students of other colleges. Now, two IMU nursing graduates are coming to the Sentul Free Clinic of HOPE to help. Not only do they help out at the clinic but they also volunteer to help out in food distribution and reading. The Sentul Free Clinic of HOPE is in its 13th year and is open to the poor, needy and refugees mainly from Myanmar and Sri Lanka. It is run by volunteer doctors and two full-time nurses. The funds will be used for the expenses of our Sentul Free Clinic of HOPE: the purchase of medicine as well as rental and utilities expenses.” Rev Jacqueline Abesheigam—The Communication Consultant of and representative of Precious Children Home said, “I am happy to hear that in IMU, there is faculty support and back-up although the Chariofare is a student initiative. It still has to remain a student initiative so that it would build a desire to do noble causes. I am appreciative and would like to thank the students on behalf of the children. The funds received would go to paid qualified tutors to raised the standard of teachings and good results, a more balanced diet and more multi vitamins syrup, and highlighting on sports activities through renting of futsal courts/badminton courts, as the weather is always raining and unpredictable. The children will be much healthier and focused. I hope that this charity event is not just a “project” but the students will carry the light and milk of human kindness may flow in your hearts as you evolve to be compassionate doctors for the love of God and the love of mankind.”
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It is clear that as a University, IMU expects its students and staff to be actively involved in activities that promote health and wellness in the community. By undertaking these activities, IMU ensures that such activities reflect a major objective of the University towards producing healthcare individuals that are ethical and caring, who work as an integral members within the healthcare team, and who put the knowledge gained and skills learned, into practice.
