A morning soup kitchen campaign involving university and college students is increasing its sessions as more and more institutions want to have breakfast with underprivileged children and homeless people in Kuala Lumpur.
The JOM BEKPES campaign, organised by non-government organisation Institut Onn Ja’afar (IOJ), was a bimonthly event involving 40 students from different private and public universities every session, serving around 250 people at a time.
Due to high demand, it is now going to be held almost every week.
For IOJ patron Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, it is reassuring to see the increasing enthusiasm among the youth in volunteering their time and energy for the benefit of underprivileged children and homeless people.
"We see this wave of altruism spreading across the country and Malaysia’s future looks promising because when these youth eventually become leaders, they will have developed a selfless nature and a habit of giving," says Hishammuddin.
To start, the first half of JOM BEKPES for 2018 is being sponsored by Pelaburan MARA Berhad, a financial services group and asset management company wholly-owned by Majlis Amanah Rakyat.
“JOM BEKPES is one way for Pelaburan MARA to show our care and concern for every level of the Malaysian society.
“As a living company, we hope to build relationship with those around us,” says Pelaburan MARA Group Chief Executive Officer Datuk Nazim Rahman.
IOJ CEO Charles Mohan says IOJ started JOM BEKPES in February 2016 and till the end of 2017 there were around 25 sessions annually but they had to increase the sessions to 33 for 2018.
“Following guidelines mooted by local authorities, we also opted to move the campaign off the streets and prioritise helping underprivileged children and homeless people at a half-way house set up by the Federal Government,” says Charles.
The first session of the JOM BEKPES 2018 campaign took place this morning as students from Ramsay Sime Darby Healthcare College had breakfast with underprivileged children and homeless people around Chow Kit.
The students arrived at IOJ’s Volunteer Centre as early as 6.00am before heading out to Sekolah Bimbingan Jalinan Kasih, Yayasan Chow Kit’s Pusat Aktiviti Kanak-kanak and KL Krash Pad, and Pusat Transit Gelandangan.
After just over an hour of having breakfast and interacting with underprivileged children, including stateless and refugee children, and homeless people, they headed back to campus for their morning classes.
“IOJ will continue to focus on underprivileged children in 2018. We also held the Malaysians United Run 2017 on November 18 last year where sponsors and 40,000 participants raised funds for the education and care of 50 cases of underprivileged children for 2018.
“IOJ will be monitoring these cases and sharing updates from time to time in order to update stakeholders on how the funds are being channelled and on the efforts of our volunteers and committees from local private and public universities who are managing the cases,” says Charles.
IOJ
Wed Feb 07 2018
More than 100 school children benefited from this particular JOMBEKPES session. - IOJ photo
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.