AUSMAT students raise funds for United Voice

Students from the Australian Matriculation (AUSMAT) programme at Sunway College recently handed over a cheque of RM17,000 to United Voice. Representatives Yeong Moh Foong, Lead Coordinator; Lim Mei Chan, Committee Member and Janet Poh Chai Hoon of United Voice were on hand to receive the cheque from Vanitha Satchithanadan, Director of AUSMAT at Sunway College.

This year, AUSMAT students and lecturers chose to channel funds raised from their annual I-Care Day to United Voice in a move to educate and raise social awareness amongst their peers on people with learning disabilities. Yeong Moh Foong, on behalf of United Voice expressed her heartfelt appreciation for the donation, thanking AUSMAT lecturers and students for their time and effort.

From left: Sivasaranya Sivabathalingam, Vanitha Satchithanadan, Priyadarshini Palaniappan, Hanna Hanapiah, Stephen Chow, Lim Mei Chan and Janet Poh Chai Hoon

“There was so much excitement for I-Care Day, it was inspiring to see students and lecturers so excited and passionate in their efforts to raise money for United Voice”, said Vanitha.

The funds were raised through two events of I-Care Day, the charity drive and the treasure hunt. The charity drive saw the participation of all AUSMAT students where each class was assigned with a booth each to sell food or games for the day. “It was definitely a great experience as each class worked hard together to raise funds for United Voice” said Stephen Chow, President of AUSMAT Student Council.

“This year, the students with lecturers Sivasaranya Sivabathalingam and Priyadarshini Palaniappan came up with something new and different for I-Care Day which was the I-Care Day Treasure Hunt. Students and lecturers had a lot of fun so we might plan another for next year” said Vanitha.

“Here, at Sunway College, we aim to provide a holistic education for our students, it’s not all about learning but also how they can contribute to society. Events like I-Care Day also provide our students opportunities to explore business models and marketing techniques they learned in the classroom” added Vanitha.

I-Care Day is an annual charity event by Sunway College’s AUSMAT students and lecturers to come together as one to raise funds for a good cause. Each year, the students and lecturers select an organisation to support.

United Voice is a self-advocacy society led by persons with learning disabilities. Its membership includes persons with Down Syndrome, autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and cerebral palsy. The society aims to empower people with learning disabilities by teaching them skills to lead an independent life.