Developing values to become better individuals and corporate citizens of tomorrow

University life is all about experience, be it making friends, acquiring knowledge in the classrooms, participating in sports and leisure activities. It is now becoming more common for students to acquire another form of experience — volunteerism. Increasingly, many companies do value volunteer and charity work in addition to academic credentials.

On 20 November 2021, a group of Student Affairs volunteers from Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) contributed to a noble cause at the Furrykids Safehaven animal shelter, which is based in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan.

Furrykids Safehaven is a non-governmental organization (NGO) founded in 2017 by a small group of caring individuals. The motivation for creating the shelter arose from a desire to help the voiceless, abandoned, homeless sick and stray dogs. 

This is the first program organised since APU and Furrykids Safehaven signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) last month. A total of 15 volunteers took part in this program, including School of Business lecturer Ms Abbhirami Sivarajan.

The main objectives of this volunteer program are to educate and raise awareness on animal care, as well as to encourage civic participation in the work of such NGOs in fighting animal cruelty.

This initiative has given students the opportunity to appreciate the work and the challenge of running and managing an animal shelter — and most importantly, the satisfaction of having volunteered their time and energy. 

“Our NGO is flattered and very grateful for this collaboration. We welcome APU students to shower our pups, spend time to play with them and help in bringing colors to the walls,” says Ms Jeskiran Kaur Bhat, President of Furrykids Safehaven.

“The most important lesson to be learnt from this program is to understand why it is important to share mother earth with other living beings. If we can open our hearts and be more empathetic towards the strays, this world would be a better place.”

Furrykids Safehaven experienced “flash flood” damage early this year and their new shelter construction is 80% completed and has better facilities and a safer environment.
 

Describing the state of Furrykids Safehaven now, Ms Abbhirami said “It is a lot better, and it looks tidy after APU students painted the newly built kennels and helped to bathe and vaccinate the puppies for the Furrykids adoption drive. I am sure the furry residents enjoy their cosy environment now.”   

According to her, the volunteer program will be held on a monthly basis with another visit planned for 19 December 2021.

“We hope that through this initiative, our students will gain a better appreciation of aspects such as kindness and compassion for other living creatures,” she explained.