VOLUNTEER INDUCTION PROGRAM-EMPOWERMENT THROUGH VOLUNTEERS

The EWRF Headquarters had launched their Volunteer Induction Program named as Facilitators-In-Tandem (FIT) 2015 in collaboration with ‘The Sessionists’ from Sunway University Malaysia. This was held on the 10th and 11th October 2015 in Shah Village Hotel in Petaling Jaya. This camp was attended by 62 volunteers from several branches such as Tanjung Malim, Subang, Ampang, Nilai, Johor and Rawang.

The aim of this VIP 2015 was primarily to expose volunteers to the significance of volunteering and to what extend the Malaysian society needs volunteers to help in the plight of moving at-risk teenagers and youth to the mainstream population.

Inputs and training were effectively and successfully provided by The Sessionists who were the lecturers from Sunway University Malaysia and professional volunteers and speakers, Jerry Chong, Anita Paul and Peter. They conducted many interesting outdoor activities as they have great experience in handling many workshops and training many volunteers. During the closing ceremony, Mr Hemanathan and Ms Ravena, both from EWRF Tanjung Malim branch were awarded as the best participants in this camp. The branch coordinators were very appreciative of the fact that they were invited as participants as well. The volunteers felt that they would never have got this opportunity elsewhere and that this FIT camp has really motivated them to render their services as volunteers. Overall, the volunteers and also the coordinators expressed their keenness in carrying out projects for their branch children and have requested for EWRF’s support to rationalize their efforts.

A number of high profile leading public figures also shared their experiences through speeches to motivate VIP 2015 participants in the closing ceremony of the camp. Throughout this camp, the participants were very responsive and this in fact made the session more interesting. It indeed created a space for sharing fresh and brilliant ideas on working with volunteers around the world whom are from various backgrounds. When the closing ceremony was done, EWRF realised a new spirit of confidence, joy was raised among each and every participants. Then, the participants as well as the organisers closed the curtains by showing EWRF their powered cheers. “This year’s VIP 2015, was indeed a successful one, and I’m really feeling grateful to EWRF for giving me this opportunity” said one of the participant from EWRF Tanjung Malim branch. A toss was tossed by The Sessionists as a sign of victory and farewell at the end of the closing ceremony of this VIP 2015.