PETALING JAYA, 19 February 2024 – RYTHM Foundation, the award-winning social impact arm of international conglomerate QI Group, recently celebrated the remarkable achievements of 48 participants of its Volunteer Development Programme (VDP), honouring their dedication, passion, and commitment to making a positive impact in their communities.
The VDP is RYTHM’s innovative drive to stimulate youth volunteerism and inspire public engagement within local communities. Launched in August 2023, the programme quickly attracted dozens of enthusiastic individuals eager to train as volunteers and make a meaningful impact through active service.
The training involved honing the participants’ skills and deepening their understanding of social responsibility. Over the last six months, they also gained firsthand experiences by participating in numerous RYTHM-driven community impact programmes. In total, the volunteers have contributed over 1,162 hours of volunteering, participated in 197 volunteering sessions, completed four fundraising projects, and raised RM4289.50 for charitable causes.
“QI Group’s corporate icon Mahatma Gandhi once said that the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. Today, we celebrate not just the accomplishments of our volunteers, but the spirit of selflessness and service that defines the essence of RYTHM – ‘Raise Yourself to Help Mankind’,” Datin Sri Umayal Eswaran, the Chairperson of RYTHM Foundation, said in her speech.
She noted, “Through VDP, we have stoked the fire and planted the seed for change within these youth changemakers. I look forward to witnessing their impactful and everlasting contributions to underprivileged communities in Malaysia in the years to come”.
“VDP is a great platform for our students to learn about real issues on the ground and how they can make a difference. Through VDP, they learned valuable skills such as problem-solving, negotiating, and leadership skills,” added Punitha Sivanantham, CSR champion senior and lecturer from INTI International College Subang, which is a VDP partner.
“Two of the main changes that I noticed in my students after joining VDP is that they became more confident in taking the lead and are better at managing their charitable projects. These remarkable improvements will ensure that they can provide long-term support for the communities,” Punitha said.
Volunteer How Yu Qian shared that joining VDP was the gateway to her foray into volunteering. “I had no prior volunteering experience and decided to join VDP to find out how I can contribute to improve the world”.
She then shared, “VDP trained me to get out of my comfort zone and exposed me to a lot of the difficult realities faced by underprivileged communities that I volunteered with, such as the parents of children with special learning needs at RYTHM Foundation’s Taarana School. Thanks to VDP, I gained fresh perspectives of societal issues from these little but life-defining moments”.
Whether supporting education, empowering the underprivileged, or fostering sustainable development, the VDP’s participants are integral members of a vibrant community of like-minded individuals. United by the shared belief that collective action can drive positive change, they exemplify the spirit of collaboration and dedication to creating a better world for all.
The programme resonates deeply with the Foundation’s campaign for 2024, #RiseWithRYTHM. By blending theory with practical field experience, the VDP creates an accelerated learning environment, aligning perfectly with the campaign’s mission to empower individuals through action.
RYTHM’s impact areas in Malaysia include, but are not limited to, aiding underserved People Housing Project (PPR) communities, Indigenous groups, children, youth, and women. In addition, the Foundation engages education institutions, NGOs, and civil society organisations to ensure volunteers have many opportunities to contribute their time and skills.
For more information about VDP and to register, visit www.rythmfoundation.org/initiatives/volunteering.
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About RYTHM Foundation
RYTHM Foundation, the heart of social impact for the QI Group of Companies, champions Edu-cation, Empowerment, and Environmental Sustainability. An acronym for “Raise Yourself to Help Mankind,” RYTHM embodies the QI Group’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Since 2005, RYTHM Foundation has reached over 80,000 individuals across more than 20 countries, partnering with over 115 organisations to launch over 50 sustainable projects. Our ini-tiatives, particularly in education, women’s empowerment, and inclusive support for youth and individuals with disabilities, have garnered international recognition, including prestigious awards in India, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Ghana.
Discover more about our impact and join us in making a difference at www.rythmfoundation.org
For media enquiries, please contact:
Anita Pandian (+6012-200 9645)
PR Manager, Communications
QI Group of Companies
