Volunteering to build caring communities

Nothing says as much about the strength of a nation than how it cares for the weakest, the forgotten and those who have fallen through the cracks of society.

Volunteering releases society- building powers and transforms a community for the better.

From soup kitchens for the homeless, empowerment programmes for the marginalised, shelters for strays and sustainable efforts to preserve the environment, here are some ways you can thoughtfully offer your services to make a meaningful difference.

StarMetro highlights some places in the Klang Valley that warmly welcome a helping hand and your valuable contribution.

The public can volunteer with Kechara Soup Kitchen to distribute food for the homeless on the streets of Kuala Lumpur every Saturday and Sunday.

Kechara Soup Kitchen Society

Offering hope to the vulnerable in Kuala Lumpur, the Kechara Soup Kitchen has served the homeless for over 15 years, providing free meals on a daily basis to those in need.

The non-governmental organisation (NGO) operates primarily as a food bank and offers basic medical services and welfare aid to the country’s urban poor.

Empowering those from marginalised communities, it also regularly offers free sewing and baking classes for marginalised communities.

Under this programme, individuals learn valuable life skills and put their newfound skills to good use by tailoring tote bags, rugs and baking cookies that are then sold by Kechara.

Profits from the sales are then returned to the participants.

Currently, a team of 25 manage the nationwide initiative and depend heavily on the assistance of volunteers.

Volunteers may help out with kitchen and street distributions, surplus food collections and food deliveries within the city centre.

Kechara welcomes individual volunteers and groups.Volunteers of all ages are welcome.

However, there is a minimum age requirement for children to be at least 12-years-old and must be accompanied by a guardian.

For more information, visit https://kecharasoupkitchen.com/ and for those wishing to volunteer, queries can be made to +60103333260.

The Assembly Soup Kitchen (Task)

An independent, volunteer-run organisation based in Shah Alam, it started operations during the Covid-19 movement control order (MCO) in 2020.

The group first started off cooking meals for orphanages, welfare home and families that lost their income during the MCO, but have since expanded its outreach programme wider afield.

Task now focuses on cooking for schools for refugees and the homeless community, preparing up to 3,000 meals a week.

Run by four full-time workers, the initiative welcomes any form of assistance from the public and hopes more donations can be made, in the form of cash, food or manpower.

Those seeking to volunteer will be tasked with food preparation, cooking, baking, food packing and food deliveries.

Groups and individuals of all ages are welcome to help out during opening hours from Mondays to Saturdays, 10am to 4pm.

For more information, visit https://theassemblysoupkitchen.com/

Befrienders KL

Peace of mind and mental health are equally important as physical well-being. This is what the founders of Befrienders KL live by.

Founded in 1970, the initial group of volunteers started a helpline to comfort those in distress, offering assistance through active and compassionate listening.

Suicide prevention being the focus, the group provides emotional support to those feeling suicidal or are depressed.

All calls received are confidential and information shared are never repeated within the group or outside.

Callers’ identities are kept anonymous and the helpline operates free of charge 24 hours daily nationwide.

Currently, the organisation has 110 trained volunteers and hopes more people will assist in the group’s mission.

The NGO actively advocates to destigmatise suicide and mental health and hopes people would be more open in reaching out for help.

Due to the emotional aspect of the work involved, the group only accepts volunteers over the age of 21. However, everyone regardless of vocation or background is welcome to join.

Volunteers will need to attend a compulsory preview followed by eight on-site training sessions.

Those seeking to help are also expected to commit long-term to a three-hour weekly duty and a monthly overnight duty.

For more information, visit https://www.befrienders.org.my/.

Second Chance Animal Society

Malaysians are not the only group in need of help. Animal welfare is of equal importance.

Second Chance Animal Society (SCSA) based in Hulu Langat was started in 2009 following the rescue of 12 puppies at a bus stop.

Since then, the organisation has actively worked to rescue, neuter and care for strays.

Currently, the shelter has taken in 500 animals and is constantly on an adoption drive in search of good, loving, and forever homes for the strays.

Run by four full-time workers and seven ground volunteers, SCSA relies mainly on help from the community and is always happy to receive a helping hand to come on board.

Volunteers need to be above the age of 15 and are welcome to help out at the shelter either as individuals or as a group.

Those seeking to help will be expected to commit to four hours for each slot. Duties include cleaning the kennels and bathing the dogs.

The group also appreciates donations whether in cash, animal food, or cleaning supplies.

To schedule a slot to volunteer, contact Kim at +60129192263.

My Pets Haven currently accommodates more than 40 dogs and six cats.

My Pets Haven

This small animal shelter in Setia Alam is desperately in need of helping hands.

Started 12 years ago by Aileen Lee Sor Gok (known affectionately by the community as Aunty Aileen), the shelter has taken in rescued strays, abandoned animals and wounded creatures.

The shelter had recently received notice to relocate and is hoping to find forever homes and animal lovers to adopt some of the 40 dogs and six cats currently under its care.

My Pets Haven is solely under the helm of Aunty Aileen and depends largely on the goodwill of volunteers.

Aunty Aileen said while a new location had already been secured, the shelter still required much assistance.

Those who want to help out will be given tasks of cleaning cages, taking the dogs out for their evening walks and feeding the animals.

Volunteers of all ages are welcome to help individually or in groups, but due to the shelter’s size, only up to five volunteers are able to come in per slot.

Besides volunteering, donations in the form of cash or kind would go a long way.

Those who wish to volunteer can book a slot at https://www.mypetshaven.org/volunteer.

Free Tree Society allows volunteers, children included, to join its programmes in learning to care for nature.

Free Tree Society Kuala Lumpur

The tiniest seed can bring about a revolution of change.

Advocating for sustainable practices through public awareness campaigns, capacity building workshops, tours, and volunteer sessions, this might just be the place for one to help make a lasting impact.

Free Tree Society Kuala Lumpur is a Malaysian environmental NGO passionate about getting the community to practise sustainable living while highlighting the urgent need to preserve against environmental degradation in Malaysia.

The group runs regular programmes focusing on hands-on experience to educate the public on how to preserve the environment.

Some of the work they are currently involved in are mobile outreach initiatives, roadshows, reforestation projects and tree planting sessions.

As its name implies, this organisation has to date given away over 52,000 trees to schools, community gardens, wildlife habitats and homeowners.

The group is led by a seven- member executive committee and a working team of 11 staff besides being assisted by volunteers and interns.

For those seeking an interactive experience, Free Tree Society runs two nursery programmes in Bangsar and Taman Tugu in Kuala Lumpur where volunteers can help plant trees while learning how to better appreciate the environment.

The group can also be booked for talks and workshops.

Open to all ages, volunteers at the nurseries need to make reservations in advance through the NGO’s website.

To volunteer, head over to https://freetreesociety.org/index.php/volunteer/.

EcoKnights

EcoKnights is a sustainability organisation that aims to empower people to embrace green living through education, conscious lifestyle changes, and impactful actions.

Founded in 2005 with environmental education in mind, the group now collaborates with grassroots communities and various major stakeholders in running educational and interactive programmes across the country.

The group is run by four core team members and two interns and is looking forward to welcoming active participants to their green efforts.

As the NGO operates on a variety of projects, the scope of activities for volunteers is largely dependent on the nature of the activities themselves.

Most times, volunteers are expected to assist the event flow in terms of helping to arrange logistics according to the needs of the programme.

The group’s recent activities included mangrove planting, soap-making workshop and a herbarium collection workshop.

All volunteers should apply through the group’s website.

To apply, check out https://ecoknights.org.my/volunteer-2/.