Page 18 - Berita Sunway - Issue 74

Voices of Sunway
As Greek philosopher
Aristotle once said,
the essence of life is
to serve others and
do good. This rings
true for Sunwayians
who regularly
volunteer in Sunway
Group’s CSR efforts,
many who do so out
of the desire to make
the world a better
place.
Discovering what it means to be human
For Wira bin Ismail, volunteering is a means of putting himself in
others’ shoes.
“To understand the hardships and sufferings of others – this is what it
means to be human,” said Wira, who has worked at the Lost World of Tambun in
Ipoh for the past 15 years.
Growing up less fortunate, Wira is not a stranger to hardship
himself. “As long as I’m working in Sunway, I would not
pass on an opportunity to
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A passion to help the needy is what “Visiting the poor to offer aid has
drives Zubaidah binti Abu Bakar to taught me gratitude and to appreciate
continue serving as a volunteer for what I have. So many people out there
Sel less A lesson in humility assistance to the needy and gotong-royong volunteering looks gotong-royong
are experiencing hardship – some do not
Sunway Group’s CSR efforts since 2016.
“Typically, my volunteer work would
even have a roof over their heads,”
she said.
involve a monthly commitment to offer
to
forward
Zubaidah
(community service),” said Zubaidah,
for
who joined Sunway in 2002.
activities, as it fosters friendship among
Sunwayians from different business
Her first volunteering stint with
Sunway was a visit to an orphanage. “It
units and departments.
was a meaningful experience for me
“Sunway Group’s commitment to
CSR is evident because the company has
because it truly is my passion to do
and gratitude
not even stopped their CSR initiatives
charity work,” said the 55-year-old.
Besides volunteering at Sunway, the
ZUBAIDAH
said.
“Volunteering for CSR efforts
Sunway Hotel also spends time visiting
BINTI
should be encouraged because it raises
old folk’s homes located close to her
ABU BAKAR security control room officer with even during a global pandemic,” she
home.
public awareness towards the plight of
As she works in shifts, Zubaidah the underprivileged. Being a volunteer
often faces the challenge of finding also helps to instil humility, which is
a CSR initiative that fits her work a core value of the Sunway Group,”
schedule. she said.
Berita Sunway speaks to three Sunwayians on the
highs and lows of their volunteering experiences,
as well as what fuels their passion to serve others
in need.
Be the change you want to see
WIRA BIN ISMAIL
GOBINATHAN
e 48-year-old began volunteering with Sunway in 2008, when It was his desire to make a difference that Most recently, Gobinathan volunteered to
he accompanied orphans to go shopping for Raya clothes under led Gobinathan Annamalai to volunteer for the assist the vaccination process at the Sunway
Sunway’s sponsorship. first time at the ‘Share Because You Care’ CNY Pyramid Convention Centre, the vaccination
“I will never forget the time when an orphan told me that he Cheer event at Sunway Putra Mall in 2018. centre (PPV) for the Petaling District. “I am
needed a pair of spectacles, but he could not afford it. I bought him a “I have always believed that to see a change proud to serve the public to ensure their
pair using my own money,” said Wira, who has also contributed in the community, one must first change vaccination process is done smoothly and that
financially to families that have been adversely affected by the themselves. I wanted to be the medium of change, no one is left behind during this crucial time,”
volunteer my time and pandemic. so I started volunteering,” said Gobinathan, who he said.
energy to help others in As a Sunway volunteer, Wira would normally liaise with the is a procurement officer at Sunway Lagoon. With strict adherence to the SOPs to
need,” he said. committee members of the villages or local mosques in Lenggong, Gobinathan would volunteer for five to minimise risks, Gobinathan said he is keen to
Kuala Kangsar, Sungai Siput and Ipoh, to deliver essential goods. six hours during Sunway’s festive events, continue his volunteering efforts at the PPV,
“Last year, we have sent food aid to six villages affected by the distributing food aid to poor communities, such as he believes it will contribute towards
pandemic. It is heart-breaking to see the villagers unable to make ends as the asnaf community (needy individuals who overcoming the pandemic.
meet while I still have a salaried job with Sunway,” said Wira. are eligible for zakat) in Sepang and Banting. “Prior to volunteering, my job was merely
Volunteering can also be fraught with challenges. “Last year’s “I connect well with children so I would about supporting myself financially. I now
Raya Bubur Lambuk distribution programme proved challenging as I definitely love to work with any causes that realise that work is not only about money, but it
had to be on the frontlines to meet up with many people face-to-face benefit them. Children are so pure and full of should serve a purpose. I feel proud to be a tiny
during a pandemic,” he said. hope. Whenever I get to volunteer and work drop in the ocean of change that Sunway is
His favourite part of volunteering is getting to know other people. with children, it helps me to destress and gives trying to bring about,” he said.
“As an individual, you may feel that your contribution is small, me a more optimistic view of life, as seen through
but it does have a significant impact on the community. Furthermore, the eyes of a child,” he said.
it is our collective responsibility to help others,” he said.