L.O.V.E. (Lifting Others through Volunteer Engagement) documentation

I realized I've not written a single post on L.O.V.E. (Lifting Others through Volunteer Engagement). Since L.O.V.E. will be further developed into an annual project, here I write for a proper documentation.

L.O.V.E. which was held successfully on 25 January 2011 by AIESEC in USM in collaboration with The Right Livelihood College.

For the first time in a public university in Malaysia, civil society organizations, students, academics and university administrators came together and mobilized on an issue - volunteerism. More than 2,000 students attended this Community Service Festival at Dewan Kuliah Foyer (DK Foyer), which is the central location in USM.

Some 20 global and local NGOs (non-governmental organisations) showcased important social-economic issues through very creative and fun exhibition.

The organisations are:

World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA)
Children Protection Society (CPS)
Green Lung USM
Water Watch Penang
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA)
Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM)
St. Nicholas Home for the Blinds
Asia Community Service (ACS)
Tzu Chi Foundation
National Cancer Society of Malaysia
Consumer Association of Penang (CAP)
JUMP Jaringan Utara Migrasi dan Pelarian c/o Penang Office for Human Development (POHD)
Mr. Don the Green Crusaders
Kempen Rakyat Stop Sexual Crimes against Children
Pure Love through Family
Woman Center for Change (WCC)

The objective of L.O.V.E. is to provide youths with one-stop volunteering opportunities to established NGOs in Penang and hence make a positive impact to this society.

On that particular day, more than 500 youths signed up as volunteers which far exceeded our expectation. Besides, many first time activity was brought in to USM like "Free Hugs" which advocates peace and understanding among mankind.

L.O.V.E. Community Service Festival was made possible because of this amazing team and support from AIESEC and USM authorities. Apart from that, our perfect advisor Dato' Anwar Fazal and partners from The Right Livelihood College played an imperative role in this success.

Orange has become L.O.V.E. tag color and Tuesday will be the day which L.O.V.E. Community Service Festival will be held every year. Deputy Vice Chancellor of USM, Prof Dato' Omar Osman has given it a green light for event next year and the ball has passed to the next committee team to make this event greater and even more successful.

Read The Star's media coverage on L.O.V.E. here

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2011/2/22/north/7870603&sec=North

Visit our Official Website

http://www.wix.com/loveinpenang/atusm

Click to visit our Facebook 1-stop volunteer centre

http://www.facebook.com/loveinpenang

For more informations on Penang's NGOs

http://www.penangcares.net/

AIESEC

http://www.aiesec.my/main/

The Right Livelihood College

http://www.usm.my/rlc/

What is L.O.V.E. ? Start your LOVE experiences here!

A lot of people have been asking...what is L.O.V.E.?

I try to describe what is L.O.V.E. here so you can get a clearer picture XD

L.O.V.E. - stands for Lifting Others through Volunteer Engagement. It's a Community Service Festival which connects established NGOs and youths to make this world a better place.

1st thing to remember:

When & Where is L.O.V.E.?

Date: 25 January 2011 (Tuesday)

Time:9am - 5pm

Venue: DK Foyer USM main campus, Penang

This ideal all started as my team, AIESEC in USM, dealing with lots of NGOs in Penang. We found out that there're a lot of awesome activities been carried out and making big impacts to the people around.

However, one of the bottom-necks NGOs face is - lack of manpower or volunteers.

Back to our university or college, many friends are saying:" I want to do something to this world...but where & how can I start now?"

Here, L.O.V.E. clicks perfectly.

L.O.V.E. is not just a project, but is also a movement.

It's a movement of all people come together, become a volunteer to any NGOs and you can choose to involve in community projects that attract you the most!

There'll be around 20 established NGOs coming to L.O.V.E., for instance, Consumer Association of Penang (CAP), World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA), Water Watch Penang, St. Nicholas Home for the Blinds, Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM), Tzu Chi Foundation, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), USM Green Lung; and many more!

Are you familiar with any of them? If yes, then it's really great! If no, here's the chance to know these positive change agents more!

From issues of environmental sustainability, clean water, animals cruelty, disabled people, children rights to breastfeeding actions; you can take pledges with any of them and trust me, from these organisations you will see world in different perspective.

Besides, there'll be a lot more interesting activities too! Do you want to give Free Hugs to people passing by?

Do you want to share your beautiful photography captures and stand a chance to win prizes?

We're honored to have Director of the Right Livelihood College, the winner of "The Alternative Noble Prize", "UNEP Global 500" - Dato' Anwar Fazal as our advisor. His guidances and words of wisdom are priceless.

Besides, AIESEC in USM offers global opportunities to NGOs too! We can supply high quality volunteers from 110 countries to champion social-economic issues together!

So, what can I do? Wanted to know more?

Click our interactive official website "LOVEinPenang" & Facebook Page.

We wish to hear from your feedbacks and suggestions too!

"You must be the change you want to see in this world" -

Mahatma Gandhi