The Head of RYTHM Foundation, Santhi Periasamy, recently delivered an inspiring guest lecture to the students and faculty of Malaysia’s INTI International College Subang, shedding light on the profound impact sustained philanthropy can have on communities.
The private college collaborated with RYTHM, its industry partner, to host the online talk on “Making a Difference Through Philanthropy” to inspire greater social responsibility within its collegiate community.
Santhi delved into the fundamentals of philanthropy, the importance of giving back to society, and the impact of collective action in effecting positive change.
She also shared insights into the Foundation’s sustainable community development programmes, highlighting our commitment to uplifting the underserved worldwide.
“Today, philanthropy means generosity in all forms and can be defined as individuals giving their time and talent to help make life better for others,” Santhi told her virtual audience of over 150 attendees.
“Philanthropy works best when it builds on long-term community relationships rather than focuses on short-term relief.”
The talk also highlighted a key distinction – charity versus sustainable philanthropy.
“Charity often involves immediate aid, such as providing provisions or disaster relief. In contrast, philanthropy focuses on addressing root issues like homelessness, poverty, social justice, public health, and education,” Santhi clarified.
A cornerstone of RYTHM’s philanthropic endeavours includes volunteerism. Volunteers’ pivotal role in driving positive social change goes a long way toward contributing to any initiative’s success and impact.
“Many of you are already part of what our Volunteer Development Programme (VDP) aims to achieve,” Santhi said, referring to the initiative designed to cultivate youth volunteerism. A recent milestone of the VDP included the participation of a group of INTI students as the first cohort to undergo training.
At the heart of RYTHM Foundation’s mission lies a commitment to fostering sustainable community development and empowering individuals to rise above challenges. This ethos is epitomised in the ‘Rise with RYTHM’ campaign, our transformative initiative for this year aimed at igniting personal growth and collective empowerment.
‘Rise with RYTHM’ empowers participants to channel their aspirations into tangible contributions towards sustainable community development. Together, we rise as individuals and agents of change, embodying the spirit of philanthropy and collective empowerment.
