Fadillah (second right) hands over a certificate to a Unimas representative witnessed by YSS head Zuraidah (right) and others at Kampung Pinang Jawa community hall. — Photo by Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING: The Student Volunteers Foundation (Yayasan Sukarelawan Siswa or YSS) has been paving the way for young people to become more knowledgeable through its YSS Tuition Mission Sarawak.
Making this remark, Works Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof said the 120 student volunteers from various higher institutions of learning had made inroads by helping the young community in Kampung Gita Lama and Kampung Gita Lama by providing free tuition on subjects like English Language, Mathematics and ICT.
“This is definitely in line with the government’s Blue Ocean Strategy to transform our society into a knowledgeable society as the country progresses to greater heights,” he said, before announcing that YSS is taking a break after more than six months of voluntary work, at Kampung Pinang Jawa community hall here yesterday.
“I am glad to inform YSS that the community in this area, especially parents, had given full support to your volunteer work, which I hope will be continued,” he added.
Fadillah, who is also the MP for Petra Jaya, said that from feedback garnered, the parents too were keen to learn English and ICT from the YSS volunteers.
“I have urged the community leaders in this area to come out with a plan and a structured schedule so that YSS can come and impart more of their knowledge and skills to the community at Kampung Gita,” he added.
He said there was always a ‘hidden cost’ in such voluntary work even though these volunteers do not receive any form of salary.
Fadillah, in short, saluted the good work of YSS helmed by its chairman Datuk Dr Zuraidah Atan, under the auspices of the Ministry of Education.
The YSS programme is a way forward for the nation and for young people to build a competitive edge against one another and excel in their own field, as the volunteers seek closer rapport to inspire the younger segment of society, he elaborated.
Fadillah said a knowledgeable society will move the country forward.
“If we can synergise our energies, we all can progress together,” he reiterated.
Meanwhile, Dr Zuraidah said the young achievers can give back to society especially when they are a role model for the young to emulate.
“This is one way the government can transform our society to be more educated and knowledgeable and not be left behind while the rest of society progresses,” she said.
She praised the student volunteers from Universiti Sarawak Malaysia (Unimas), Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTm) Sarawak Campus, Teachers Training Institute Batu Lintang and Kuching Polytechnic for their keenness in voluntary work.
“This gives impetus to YSS to implement more programmes to give high impact on our society and community at large,” she said.
Community leader and village head of Kampung Gita, Suhaili Razali, thanked the government for bringing voluntary work to their community and hoped it will resume after taking a break.