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USM Undergrads Give Back: Skills for a Fresh Start!

Second-year communication students from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) are doing something awesome! They're not just studying; they're empowering the homeless with skills to get back on their feet. Forget handouts, these students are all about giving a hand *up*.

Think of it as a 'gerak lu, pape roger' approach to community service – practical skills for a better tomorrow. This isn't just teori; it's real-world impact, geng!

Urban Farming and Soap-Making: Skills That Pay the Bills

The program, held at a transit center in Penang, focused on hands-on training. Forget fancy degrees, the residents got down and dirty learning urban farming (backyard gardening in KL, anyone?). They also learned to make soap using recycled cooking oil – genius!

Imagine turning your used minyak masak into something you can sell! That's resourcefulness level 9000.

More Than Just Skills: Fun, Games, and Health!

It wasn't all work and no play! There was a traditional games-based race (anyone up for batu seremban?), gotong-royong (cleaning up!), an oral health talk (gotta keep those teeth shining!), and a community celebration.

Radio DJ Fara Fauzana was there to liven things up. Confirm the event was happening!

"This project was part of the students’ coursework to shape them into socially responsible graduates, while the activities were designed to equip the residents with practical life skills they could use when they leave the center," said Prof Dr Jamilah Ahmad, Project Advisor.

Basically, USM is breeding grads who care about more than just their grades. Syabas!

Nutritious Meals and Hygiene: The Foundation for Independence

Eighty residents also learned how to prepare nutritious meals with common ingredients. Plus, they got schooled on basic hygiene and self-care – essential for fitting back into society. Ini penting, guys!

Community Support: Kerja Sama Makes the Dream Work!

The outreach was supported by the National Cancer Society Malaysia, USM's School of Biological Sciences, and the Northeast District Health Office. It takes a village, kan?

Even the transit centre's general manager, Nazatulwanis Mohd Khorish, showed up to support. The center can house 88 residents and works with over 400 NGOs and companies to provide food and other necessities. Solidarity is key!

Penang's Gotong-Royong Spirit: Everyone Plays a Part

Lim Siew Khim, Penang's social development chairman, praised the students' efforts and the power of community involvement. Building confidence and motivation is a "noble achievement". Setuju!

Bottom line? This USM project shows that even small actions can make a big difference in people's lives. And that's something we all can 'saport'!