On 23 February 2025, students from the School of Pharmacy, IMU University conducted a meaningful community engagement initiative at Rumah Titian Kaseh (RTK) in Titiwangsa, Kuala Lumpur. Guided by Project Advisor Dr Hazwanie Binti Hashim, the event reflected a strong commitment to health promotion and community outreach. Aimed at raising awareness and fostering connections with the children at RTK, the initiative showcased the students’ dedication to service learning and social responsibility.

The day began with an engaging introduction and ice-breaking session, during which the students interacted with the children to build rapport and set a welcoming tone.

The volunteers presented a series of informative and interactive presentations on the importance of hygiene and introduction to bacteria and virus.

A brief activity was carried out to assess the children’s prior knowledge before proceeding with the main sessions.

As bacteria and viruses are invisible to the naked eye, the children were introduced to their existence through a creative activity using kinetic sand. This hands-on and enjoyable small group activity allowed the children to use various moulds to shape the sand, simulating how bacteria can be transmitted through touch. The activity helped strengthen their sensory skills while reinforcing the concept of microbial transmission. By blending education with play, the session successfully captured the children’s interest, encouraged teamwork, and heightened awareness of hygiene practices.

The second session, Hand Painting, combined creativity with health education in a colourful and enjoyable way. Children coated their hands with paint and stamped them onto large sheets of paper, symbolising the invisible spread of germs through physical contact. They then decorated their handprints with craft materials to represent microbes, transforming abstract concepts into vivid and approachable imagery.

This exercise not only reinforced key hygiene messages but also encouraged collaboration, creativity, and self-expression. The children enthusiastically showcased their artistic talents, visualising bacteria and viruses in ways they could better understand.

The session concluded with a short explanation on how microbes can be harmful to humans and easily transmitted between individuals, enhancing the children’s grasp of the topic.

Following the creative activities, the children participated in a hands-on handwashing demonstration. In line with the saying “knowing by showing”, IMU student volunteers demonstrated proper handwashing techniques as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Each step—wetting the hands, applying soap, scrubbing all areas including between the fingers, under the nails, and around the thumbs, followed by thorough rinsing and drying—was explained clearly and demonstrated individually to each child.

This one-on-one guidance ensured that every child fully understood the correct technique and the importance of maintaining hand hygiene. In addition to washing off the paint from the earlier session, this practical demonstration helped reinforce hygiene lessons in a real-world context, promoting long-term healthy habits in an accessible and supportive manner.

The outreach event at Rumah Titian Kaseh exemplified how IMU School of Pharmacy students effectively blend health education with interactive and creative learning. Their thoughtful contributions—including the provision of hygiene-related information—reflected a deep commitment to both health promotion and the overall well-being of the children.

This initiative highlighted the School’s ongoing dedication to community engagement and its broader mission of fostering holistic healthcare. It stands as a powerful example of student-led efforts where academic knowledge is applied with compassion and innovation to create meaningful, lasting change. By addressing the physical, emotional, and social aspects of health, the students embodied IMU’s core values of empathy, civic responsibility, and collaborative care.

In conclusion, the visit to Rumah Titian Kaseh stands as a strong affirmation of the IMU School of Pharmacy’s enduring commitment to community outreach and holistic healthcare.

Under the guidance of Dr Hazwanie Binti Hashim, the students displayed great passion and responsibility in raising awareness about hand hygiene through interactive, educational, and fun-filled activities. Their creative approach reflected a genuine sense of compassion, innovation, and social responsibility.

The heartfelt appreciation expressed by the home’s main caregiver, along with the students’ own reflections, underscored the depth and impact of the experience. This initiative demonstrated the transformative potential of student-led outreach, nurturing a culture of empathy, collaboration, and service.

By merging academic knowledge with acts of kindness, IMU Pharmacy students not only educated but also inspired—leaving a lasting impression on the community and reinforcing the vital role of care and human connection in driving meaningful change.

Written by Roshan A/L Paramasivan (BP123)