Latest news with #YSS
The Sun
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
National Unity Ministry approves RM2.1m for volunteers programmes
PUTRAJAYA: The Ministry of National Unity has approved an allocation of RM2.1 million for the implementation of MADANI Berkhidmat: Misi Sukarelawan Siswa in Sabah, Sarawak, Pahang, Perak and Vietnam as well as other volunteer programmes, this year. Minister of National Unity Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said the matter was decided at the 13th Annual General Meeting of the Student Volunteers Foundation (YSS), here, which also discussed various agendas, including the achievements of YSS last year and the direction for this year. Aaron said YSS was asked to examine the need to create a comprehensive volunteering policy or action plan as a national guiding framework in strengthening the volunteer movement in a more structured manner, involving all government agencies in voluntary work. 'YSS needs to play a proactive role as a government agency. The implementation of the programme must be focused and attention must be given to Misi Sukarelawan Siswa, Tuisyen KAMI, Ejen Perpaduan and the student volunteer leadership development programmes,' he said in a statement today after chairing the meeting. To date, YSS has produced 2,153 student volunteer leaders who have successfully implemented 9,665 community projects nationwide. He also said the meeting decided that 'Program Ini Warisan Kita: Misi Sukarelawan Siswa' be rebranded as 'MADANI Berkhidmat Sukarelawan Siswa'. The meeting was also announced YSS's achievements throughout the past year, including the implementation of five student volunteer missions in 20 locations in Vietnam, Sabah, Sarawak, Kedah and Kelantan; as well as the implementation of 735 community projects with 4,539 volunteer hours in the field which benefited 146,211 people in various local communities.
The Sun
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
National Unity Ministry approves RM2.1 mln for volunteers programmes
PUTRAJAYA: The Ministry of National Unity has approved an allocation of RM2.1 million for the implementation of MADANI Berkhidmat: Misi Sukarelawan Siswa in Sabah, Sarawak, Pahang, Perak and Vietnam as well as other volunteer programmes, this year. Minister of National Unity Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said the matter was decided at the 13th Annual General Meeting of the Student Volunteers Foundation (YSS), here, which also discussed various agendas, including the achievements of YSS last year and the direction for this year. Aaron said YSS was asked to examine the need to create a comprehensive volunteering policy or action plan as a national guiding framework in strengthening the volunteer movement in a more structured manner, involving all government agencies in voluntary work. 'YSS needs to play a proactive role as a government agency. The implementation of the programme must be focused and attention must be given to Misi Sukarelawan Siswa, Tuisyen KAMI, Ejen Perpaduan and the student volunteer leadership development programmes,' he said in a statement today after chairing the meeting. To date, YSS has produced 2,153 student volunteer leaders who have successfully implemented 9,665 community projects nationwide. He also said the meeting decided that 'Program Ini Warisan Kita: Misi Sukarelawan Siswa' be rebranded as 'MADANI Berkhidmat Sukarelawan Siswa'. The meeting was also announced YSS's achievements throughout the past year, including the implementation of five student volunteer missions in 20 locations in Vietnam, Sabah, Sarawak, Kedah and Kelantan; as well as the implementation of 735 community projects with 4,539 volunteer hours in the field which benefited 146,211 people in various local communities.
Barnama
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
National Unity Ministry Approves RM2.1 Mln For Volunteers Programmes
PUTRAJAYA, May 19 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of National Unity has approved an allocation of RM2.1 million for the implementation of MADANI Berkhidmat: Misi Sukarelawan Siswa in Sabah, Sarawak, Pahang, Perak and Vietnam as well as other volunteer programmes, this year. Minister of National Unity Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said the matter was decided at the 13th Annual General Meeting of the Student Volunteers Foundation (YSS), here, which also discussed various agendas, including the achievements of YSS last year and the direction for this year. Aaron said YSS was asked to examine the need to create a comprehensive volunteering policy or action plan as a national guiding framework in strengthening the volunteer movement in a more structured manner, involving all government agencies in voluntary work.
Barnama
16-05-2025
- General
- Barnama
- Volunteering Is Not Free Labour
Opinions on topical issues from thought leaders, columnists and editors. Too often, volunteers – especially young ones – are expected to give their time and skills without proper guidance, recognition, or support. Their effort is taken for granted, their motivation assumed, and their well-being overlooked. This mindset risks turning a meaningful act of service into unpaid work with little value placed on growth or care. Volunteerism, in Malaysia, is often praised in speeches and government initiatives. It's seen as a vital part of building communities and empowering youth. But behind the appreciation lies a harder truth: volunteerism is often misunderstood, undervalued, and sometimes misused. This must change. Fair treatment in volunteerism doesn't mean payment – it means respect, structure, and care. Yet, their contributions are often ignored. Tasks are given without purpose. No one asks what they learned, how they coped, or what it meant to them. Volunteers are seen as replaceable instead of individuals who are learning and growing through service. Volunteers are not just extra hands. They are engaged individuals who choose to help because they believe in a better future. Whether clearing homes after floods, running donation drives, or teaching children, they offer more than effort – they offer their values, time, and hopes. Volunteerism, when planned and supported, helps people grow. They learn leadership, responsibility, teamwork, and how to think through problems. It's more than just helping – it shapes how someone sees the world. Malaysia has started to move in this direction. The MyCorps initiative from the Ministry of Youth and Sports sends young people on local and overseas missions, helping them develop new skills and understanding. The Yayasan Sukarelawan Siswa (YSS) under the Ministry of Higher Education gives university students the chance to contribute to community efforts in a more structured way. Apps like MySukarela are starting to make volunteer matching easier. But it's not enough to have programmes. We need them to be active, accessible, and supported by a culture that values them – not just on paper, but in practice. A key part of any volunteer journey is the time to reflect on what was done and how it affected the people involved. Too often, young volunteers face stressful or emotional situations, then go home with no one asking how they feel. Taking Care of Volunteers At Team Selangor, every project ends with a compulsory debriefing. This is part of how we take care of our volunteers. After the recent Putra Heights gas pipeline explosion, our youth worked closely with rescue teams, local authorities, and other organisations. It was a high-pressure, emotionally demanding environment. After the work was done, we held a proper session for volunteers to talk about what happened. We asked what went well, what could be done better, and how they were feeling. This step is just as important as the action itself. It helps young people process what they saw, make sense of it, and continue volunteering with a stronger, clearer mind. Respecting volunteers means more than a thank-you note. It means giving them proper roles, offering support, and showing that their time matters. Schools and employers need to recognise volunteer work as something that builds character, skills, and understanding. National Volunteer Portfolio In countries like Canada and the United Kingdom, volunteering is counted in student records and job applications. We can do the same. A national volunteer portfolio would let young people track their hours, list their contributions, and reflect on what they've learned. This could then be included in scholarship forms, interviews, or university applications. When we treat volunteering as part of a young person's growth, it stops being an extra task. It becomes a part of who they are becoming. Some organisations see volunteers as cheap help. Tasks meant for trained staff are handed to young people with little instruction. These same young volunteers may agree out of eagerness or pressure, not realising that they're being put in unfair situations. That's why we need to be clear about the way we support and protect those who choose to serve. Volunteers must be given defined roles, so they understand what is expected of them and why their work matters. They must be offered proper training and someone they can turn to for guidance throughout their involvement. Their safety and wellbeing must always be a priority, especially when working in physically or emotionally demanding situations. Leadership Roles Just as important, they should have access to emotional support, particularly after dealing with distressing events or intense collaboration. And when they are ready, they should be encouraged to take on leadership roles – not just as followers, but as decision-makers in their own right. These steps are how we respect those who give their time. They help ensure that volunteerism is not taken for granted or used unfairly, but seen as a serious and valued contribution to society. Volunteering should not be about filling gaps. It should be about building a stronger, kinder country. When done right, it shapes the person giving their time, just as it helps the people receiving it. Let's stop treating volunteers as a resource to be used. Let's start treating them as citizens building a better Malaysia. Their time, effort, and care matter – and they deserve a system that treats them that way. -- BERNAMA Sadina Suffian is COO of Team Selangor, an outfit under the Menteri Besar's Office focusing on youth empowerment and volunteerism.
BBC News
23-04-2025
- BBC News
West Mercia safer driver course in expands to include teenagers
A road safety programme for driving offenders, said by organisers to be the first of its kind in England, has expanded to include or Making Our Roads Safer For Everyone launched in 2019, and is piloting a new programme for 13-17 is a joint project between the charity Your Support Services (YSS) and West Mercia Youth Justice Service, funded by the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner and covering Shropshire, Herefordshire and said the aim was to make roads safer and support teens who had committed driving offences to break the cycle and work towards a brighter future. 'Risky behaviour' The programme has taken on its first cohort of 19 teenagers, who have committed offences including driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, stealing cars and risky behaviour on the roads. The managing director of YSS, Deb Grantham, said: "It's an innovative new way of working with young people involved with traffic offences. "It's a 12-week course very much based on our adult behavioural change programme, but tweaked so that it's appropriate for young people. She added: "The whole point of Morse and Morse Youth is that we look at the root causes of these behaviours, and how can we work with them to prevent them happening again." Gareth Boulton, chief executive to West Mercia's Police and Crime Commissioner, said road safety was the "biggest mail bag issue" for commissioner John Campion. The PCC has invested almost £300,000 in the Morse and Morse Youth figures suggest the West Mercia area had the third largest number of deaths and serious injuries from unlawful driving in England and Wales in the year to September month, three teenagers from Staffordshire and Wolverhampton died in a road accident near Shifnal, Shropshire. Mr Boulton said he hoped the behavioural change programme would not be unique for long and that other police forces would follow suit. 'Changed my life' One adult service user, known as JW, said he had joined the programme after being arrested twice for drug driving within three weeks. "YSS didn't just focus on my driving, they helped me change the course of my life... I was able to get back into rugby... stay motivated and keep drug-free", he said. "I am no longer the person I was before", he and Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Services also support the scheme. Prevention Manager for Shropshire Ravinder Dharmi said it helped make the roads safer. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
