JOHOR BARU: The RM500 incentive for youths to do volunteer work can entice more young people to get into social work and assist the underprivileged, especially those affected by disasters such as floods, says a non-governmental organisation.
Yayasan Kebajikan Suria Johor Baru founder James Ho said it is vital to train the next generation of social workers and the government’s RM500 incentive could be a draw for youth to get involved.
“It is a two-way street as they can learn from our existing volunteer model and we can also learn from them as they provide a different perspective.
“The incentive could help to get them involved and hopefully, ignite their passion for social work from there,” he said when interviewed.
Ho said his organisation has been working with public and private higher learning institutions to get youth excited about social work.
“I believe that volunteerism builds character and produces well-rounded individuals who will go on to make a more caring society,” he added.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had announced an incentive of RM500 for youths aged 18 to 20 to encourage them to be involved in voluntary work.
M. Mahadesh said he hoped to see more young people taking part in social work as he himself joined Johor’s volunteerism arm – Southern Volunteers – when he was in Form Five at SMK Aminuddin Baki here.
The 20-year-old said he was motivated to volunteer at age 17 as a way of building his self-confidence.
“It has been more than three years since joining the group and I’m happy to be able to assist the underprivileged,” he said.
Mahadesh said his volunteer work included assisting at the Covid-19 vaccination centre in Johor Baru, flood clean-up works in Hulu Langat, Selangor in 2021, and delivering food baskets to low-income families near here.
Every Friday, he and about 30 members of the Southern Volunteers visit People’s Housing Projects in the city to distribute basic items to underprivileged families.
“I will continue to do volunteer work and put my satisfaction above financial benefits,” said the Kolej Kemahiran Johor student, who is studying Information Technology with hopes of becoming a policeman who fights cybercrime.
