Students Helping Hands, An Initiative by Students for Students

The initiative is the brainchild of a group of students from SUBS, led by Janice Lim Siao Min who is also Chairperson of the Students Helping Hands. With the core value of “by Students for Students”, the team hopes to create a valuable and positive impact on students in need of financial assistance.
The initiative is the brainchild of a group of students from SUBS, led by Janice Lim Siao Min who is also Chairperson of the Students Helping Hands. With the core value of “by Students for Students”, the team hopes to create a valuable and positive impact on students in need of financial assistance.


In her welcome remarks, Lim shared that “We found out that a lot of students have a hard time with their daily expenses, causing them to not have a proper meal. There are also some who had to defer their studies due to financial constraints. Thus, my team and I had this idea of helping these students. We uphold the value that every student deserves a high-quality education. So, if you can afford a cup of Starbucks every day, you can help a student in need.”
The initiative also serves as a platform for students to help, connect and create awareness among the Sunway community and its alumni on the importance of giving back to the community and society.

At the launch, Dr Elizabeth Lee, Chief Executive Officer of Sunway Education Group thanked the team for their effort to take a stand and make a change, to build a brighter future for some of the students at Sunway.
At the launch, Dr Elizabeth Lee, Chief Executive Officer of Sunway Education Group thanked the team for their effort to take a stand and make a change, to build a brighter future for some of the students at Sunway.


“Every day, around the world, countless children go to school on an empty stomach. I am sure most of us know that it is difficult to concentrate on anything when your stomach is growling and rumbling away, what more a hungry child to focus on lessons. For these children, having food means not only better nutrition and health, but also increased access to education, and it is a strong incentive for the children’s families to consistently send them to school,” shared Dr Lee.
She further added “The Students Helping Hands initiative targets Goal number 2: Zero Hunger. According to Humanitas Global Development, zero hunger and quality education for all by 2030 are ambitious goals. To get there we need to work smart and be nimble in our thinking. Feeding programmes that work and have the potential to be expanded and replicated need to be studied, documented and shared. All this is in line with the Sunway Education Group’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).”

SUBS Students Helping Hands began collecting funds in January this year, and have since raised approximately RM21,200 with RM15,000 donated by two generous anonymous donors. The team is grateful to students, staff and the public who have contributed to the fund.

Dr Lee encouraged all to donate to the fund so that more students can benefit from the initiative. “There is no minimum or maximum amount, give genuinely and cheerfully, from your heart. If you are not able to contribute in monetary terms, but know of someone who needs help, please do inform the team from Students Helping Hands.”
Professor Graeme Wilkinson, Vice Chancellor of Sunway University also shared at the launch that “This is a landmark occasion that represents the very first time, from my experience, the SUBS Student Concilium taking the initiative to set up the fund to help their fellow students who are experiencing unforeseen financial difficulties. This is an outstanding example of our students giving back to society and in particular their own community of students here on campus. This is a model example of philanthropy in action and it demonstrates that our students are caring and focused on the well-being of all their peers. This demonstration of community spirit is entirely admirable and proves that here at Sunway, we have students who are high achievers in all respects, not just in academic matters but in their commitment to their society.”
YM Datin Raja Riza Shazmin Raja Badrul Shah, Director of Philanthropy Office appreciates the support and effort from the various departments involved which led to the materialisation of the initiative. “Philanthropy is not only about money, but it is also about using whatever resources you have with you, and find them to put in the world, preserving a better future for the students,” shared YM Datin Raja Riza.
 
 

The Students Helping Hands will begin accepting applications from January 2020 onwards. The initiative looks to receive support and funds from alumni, parents, students, staff, individuals and organisations to continuously assist students in need.
The Students Helping Hands will begin accepting applications from January 2020 onwards. The initiative looks to receive support and funds from alumni, parents, students, staff, individuals and organisations to continuously assist students in need.