The Essence of Being Human 

The true essence of public awareness is in ensuring the general public deeply understands the impacts of a certain cause by disseminating knowledge through various mediums such as campaigns, forums or even social media. Understanding alone isn't enough of course, however it is the very first of many towards fulfilling our social responsibility. The responsibility extends as far as volunteering to personally help the less fortunate, donating to charities and corporation that strive to improve their quality of life or by simply being a caring companion.  Although financial aids are indeed very important in creating a change in their lives, we believe that it is also necessary to start simple, to be a friend and emotionally connect with them to deeply understand their daily challenges and their personal opinions on how society should treat them. Thus, the members of Genie organized a night together with the physically disabled. Essentially, we aim to cultivate a sensitive group of youths who are more empathetic towards the daily trials of the physically disabled and change our negative views by learning that they too are able to perform efficiently but with slight limitations. 

On the 5th of May, Genie spent a wonderful, cooling and rainy evening with the physcially challenged scholarly students of University Malaya at Bilik Seri Jati, KK7. It was a night full of deep, emotional conversations, laughter and lovely music by the Seri Jati buskers. After serving dinner, each and every one of us were able to interact with the physically challenged and learn more about their daily lifestyle. At times the conversations got a little too deep, especially the parts when they explained to us the cause behind their condition and the constraints encountered due to their various limitations. This in fact was important in understanding and concurrently respecting their continuous struggles to blend in with the rest of us. Just this one night made us feel like a better person and has driven to pledge ourselves to treat them with dignity and support them with our fullest capacity. These individuals have proven to us that they too are very capable, distinct and intelligent as some of them are self-taught musicians, scholarship recipients and radio jockey in UMalaya Radio. 

A successful dinner despite a rainy start

Having dinner and conversing with the physically challenged students

Ice-cream is best eaten on a rainy day (yes, we had a bad cold the next day haha)

Genie members with our wonderful guests :)

A melodious end to the night. Thanks to Seri Jati buskers

Cleaning it all up with a smile

So, fellow readers we really hope our first step has driven you to take yours. Like they say, "charity begins at home." Let us start small but we have to assure that our responsibility continues because ultimately, the essence of being human is striving for humanity and doing the best we can to save it. 

"Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see"

With much love, 

Charroogesinee