On 3 August 2024, eight students from the Team Building module of the Centre for General Studies, guided by Dr. Ahmad Faris, participated in a volunteer initiative at Restoran Al Mubarak in Kuala Lumpur, a key partner of the Pertiwi Soup Kitchen. This charitable organization focuses on providing meals for the homeless and those in need. The initiative aimed to enhance the students’ teamwork and collaboration skills while contributing to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 – Zero Hunger.

The volunteers, including Michael Peter Gunapalan, Yaashhinii A/P Krishnan, Law Mun Chun, Lee Wei Kee, Chuah Qi Hong, Chan Ying Yu, Law Jia Lin, and Teng Yan Thong, began by preparing and packing meals. They then divided into two groups to distribute the food at different locations, directly reaching out to the homeless community. In addition to their hands-on efforts, they organised fundraising activities, donating the proceeds to support the Pertiwi Soup Kitchen’s food distribution efforts.

Reflecting on their experience, Michael Gunapalan said, “Volunteering at the Pertiwi Soup Kitchen was an eye-opening experience as we realized how much we have to be grateful for, and what we can do for others, instead of focusing on ourselves.” Law Mun Chun added, “Small acts of kindness create ripples of hope, ensuring they don’t miss a single meal, and reminding us that even the smallest gesture can brighten someone’s world.”

The day concluded with the students feeling a profound sense of gratitude and accomplishment, having made a meaningful difference in their community.