By Dr Anita Premila Paul Dorairaj
‘Volunteerism’ is often misunderstood as charity, although it closely associates to the act of giving time or talent, its greatest impact besides to the beneficiary, is what it provides the giver. From nurturing social consciousness to empathy development and resilience, these intangible values are the ‘hidden gems’ of personal and professional development. Volunteerism should not be underestimated, viewed merely as a service or a required module. When designed meaningfully, it can be one of the most impactful forms of experiential learning accessible to youths.
In developing social consciousness amongst youths, I have witnessed some go beyond the grade to deliver meaningful outcomes for various social causes, to which the students themselves got to choose, and it fuelled their motivation. A distinctly memorable project involved a group of male students who chose to tackle the issue of gambling. They reached out to a gambling rehab centre and invited recovered gamblers for an engagement session, to share how addiction had caused them to lose finances, relationships and a sense of purpose. It became apparent to me that the initiative was not just about creating awareness but also providing a compelling understanding of the issue, with a mission to prevent others from making the same mistake.
Students may learn about poverty, inclusivity and sustainability in the classroom, but personal engagement with affected communities deepens their understanding of these realities. In a community-based initiative to establish a daycare centre for refugee children in Sunway Desa Mentari, students took on the responsibility of designing the facility, sourcing equipment and books, developing a three-month basic English curriculum, and teaching refugee mothers how to create reusable no sew bags from recycled T shirts. This demonstrated how student ownership, diversity of strengths and entrepreneurial thinking can extend social impact.
My experience conducting volunteer development programmes for NGOs and foundations provided a perspective on the value of service. Many participants in their 20s or 30s were professionals, working adults and entrepreneurs who committed their time for leadership training and community engagement. Despite their career pursuits, they shared a common sentiment: something was missing. They yearned for meaning and sought purpose through avenues to contribute to causes greater than themselves. Their willingness to step away from demanding careers and dedicate their time to community and environmental initiatives reflects a strong commitment to creating meaningful impact beyond professional success.
As technologically connected as this generation is, they can be disconnected from the realities of marginalised communities. Thus, volunteerism bridges awareness to action but through service-learning, a deeper comprehension of social causes and reflection is attained. Service-learning, which is an educational approach that combines academic curriculum with meaningful community service, goes deeper than volunteerism into strategic collective outcomes for all involved parties. Through navigating constraints and situations, students develop valuable competencies in an era where organisations are driving social impact, pursuing sustainability goals while adapting to advances in AI. Providing youth avenues to encounter society’s challenges can deliver purpose-driven leaders for responsible management decisions and a socially conscious employer.
The cultivation of social consciousness is a necessity for today’s society plagued by global interconnected issues. Impact should not just be measured by the number of projects delivered but in what we change positively. Let’s all strive to be that ‘man in the mirror’ and become the change we seek.
The author is a Senior Lecturer, Sunway Business School, Sunway University
