Bringing Cheer to Berkat Children’s Home
Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia Asian Medical Student Association (AMSA NUMed) organised a visit to Berkat Children’s Home, an orphanage situated in Johor Bahru.
7 April 2023
On 2 April 2023, the Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia Asian Medical Student Association (AMSA NUMed) organised a visit to Berkat Children’s Home, an orphanage situated in Johor Bahru. Headed by Lan Yuen Qi, a second year Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) student, who is also the current President of AMSA NUMed, the outing aimed to promote public health, including physical and mental wellbeing, among the local communities as well as providing an opportunity for NUMed students to interact and give back to the local communities.
There were a total of 10 volunteers, including some members of the NUMed Dance club, and it was clear that the visit was more than a welcome one for both the students and the children.
The visit started with an ice breaking session consisting of short and fun games that succeeded in thawing smiles among the children. The smiles further erupted into laughter during the aerobic session led by members of the NUMed Dance Club. With both the volunteers and the children dancing and singing pop songs, clapping and jumping side-by-side, the air was infectious with energy.
A whole lot more energy was passed around as both children and volunteers played captain’s ball together. The children proved themselves to be more than a worthy opponent as they defeated the volunteers 10-8. With the champion finally crowned, next came a quick round of station games. The first station had the children trying out yoga poses as a team while the second station tested their knowledge of health facts and healthy habits.
Once the two stations were completed, the children and volunteers worked hand-in-hand to complete a group presentation on topics such as “My Healthy Habits” and “My Favourite Sport”. The visit concluded with a photo session and the volunteers sharing their farewells with the children.
Prior to this visit, AMSA NUMed had raised funds for Berkat Children’s Home through an online donation campaign. This, along with other donations in kind were presented to the Home.
“It’s been almost two years since I last visited the Home. It was heartwarming to see the children again. Many of us left feeling grateful and humbled. We hope to visit them again this year, and would like to encourage more people to donate and volunteer there,” shared Yuen Qi.