A UCSI University student volunteer plays games with children at the Desa Amal Jireh orphanage during the "Light Up Lives" charity event.

Students cleaning up the garage at one of the old folks homes during the “Light Up Lives” charity programme.

Students and girls of the Destiny Starting Point girls home having fun with UCSI University students during the "Light Up Lives" charity event.

Kuala Lumpur, 26 February, 2011 - More than 150 student volunteers came out Saturday to take part in a massive community service project as part of UCSI University’s 25th anniversary celebrations. The project, “Light Up Lives,” involved visits to 25 orphanages and old folks homes throughout the Klang Valley where students took part in various service projects including cleaning the premises, playing with children or simply talking with those who needed a friend. Students also donated a collection of clothes, toys, food and stationary to each of the homes from a campus-wide donation drive that occurred earlier in the month. 

The event was organised by UCSI University Student Affairs in conjunction with Maxis Communications telecommunications company after the idea of UCSI University Student Council member Miss Sharon Koh Ching Shi. Miss Koh said she was inspired to organise the event after seeing her church’s involvement in community service projects. 

“It’s a way for the university to expose students to the community and learn how to contribute,” she said. “It’s a different way to celebrate the 25th anniversary. Many events are internal, now we’re going outside to bring joy to different homes to share UCSI University with others.” 

During the day-long event, students divided up into smaller teams with each team visiting two homes. At orphanages such as Desa Amal Jireh, Rumah Sayangan and the Sheperd’s Centre Foundation, students sang songs with the children and played games with them.

“The children are very happy, and the staff is very happy the students are here,” Mrs Sugu, a staff member of Desa Amal Jireh said. “The children need love from the outside since they don’t have parents. They like to see new people, new faces.”

Clement Krishnan, a staff member at the Shepherd’s Centre Foundation, said visitors are encouraging for children and improves their knowledge of the outside world.

“Sometimes their minds are very corrupted,” he said. “When they mix with other people, they can clear their minds.” 

In others places, such as the old folks homes Rumah Wargaemas Nacscom and Persatuan Wargaemas Klang, students did extensive cleaning and yard work, including trimming trees, cutting grass and cleaning carpets. They also sang songs to the elderly, sometimes bringing tears to their eyes.

"I realised that the old folks were just waiting for people to talk to them and listen to their stories," Jackie Tan, a second-year mass communication student said. "It made me realise the importance of family and that we should never abandon them, especially our parents."

The event was part of a larger partnership with Maxis that will provide special phone packages, employment, scholarships, and internship opportunities to UCSI University students. Maxis is also selling prepaid “University Hot Ticket” phone cards to University students and plans to donate the proceeds equally among the 25 homes in May. 

“Light Up Lives” is one of the first events of the University’s 18-month-long silver jubilee celebrations. Other events include a one-day public carnival and rock concert in May, an international jazz festival in November, a large gala dinner in May 2012 and several public lectures and performances throughout the year.