Assalamualaikum dan salam sejahtera to all.
Let me share some things that I have learned over my years of involvement as a volunteer with Kindness Malaysia. I have learned respect for the individual and to care for the well-being of others. I have learned, not only the value of tolerance, but also the celebration of diversity. I have learned to listen to others, to value different opinions, and to work together in cooperation towards a common goal. In short, I can confidently say that I have learned to be a better person through volunteering.
Above all, I have learned that every person, regardless of their situation or circumstances, has something to offer to humanity. Every individual has the capacity for caring and the capacity for working in solidarity to alleviate human suffering and contribute to human dignity.
We all know that the task of protecting human dignity and achieving noble goals to instil and spreading kindness into every living souls in Malaysia would be impossible without the energy and dedication of volunteers.
We need to actively promote kindness. I can think of no better way to do so than through volunteering. Volunteering plays a vital transforming role in society.
All the activities we have seen show volunteers from various background offering care and support and inspiring other through their dedication. It confirms once more that regardless of the background people are never just “victims” – they have so much to offer in our efforts to promote kindness. We should look for socially-inclusive means of allowing and encouraging their involvement and participation in reaching that goal. Volunteering can be one of them.
By creating a sense of cohesion and solidarity within society, volunteering builds social capital, because it converts individual action into collective action directed towards a social end. It allows for social mobilisation and organisation within the community. It also offers a means for people to show that their value and to reaffirm that they have an important place in society. It can build a sense of self-worth, and true feeling of pride for their contribution to creating a better world. These points highlight something that is not often acknowledged about volunteering: it is a key function in strengthening civil society.
I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the outstanding efforts of Hasnizam Md Zaki, the former Kindness Malaysia Kedah branch who recently passed away. I knew Hasnizam personally, and admire his energy and commitment to volunteerism. He was a good friend and is well known for his effort on Cola Kedah and AOR Festival. He will be missed, but his vision will continue to inspire the youth in creativity and volunteerism.
I would like to thank all those that had been supporting especially to individual and corporate donors which continue to work with Kindness Malaysia.
And to the millions of volunteers that every day put our kindness principles into action, I give my sincerest thanks. Without every single one of you, the dream of kindness for all would be impossible.
Happy International Volunteer Day!
Thank you!
Muhammad bin Kamarulazizi
Founder
Kindness Malaysia
www.facebook.com/kindness.my
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