WALK-A-THON WALK-A-HOPE 2016

Restoring Faith in Humanity

Sometimes in life, we tend to be forgetful of the simply things in life. And most importantly, we forget to be humans. What is it to be human? Personally being a human is to be sensitive and sensible. Sensitive towards problems, being aware of the surroundings and to react sensibly. In the 21st century though, more and more youths have become so insensitive and indifferent towards everything. The faith in humanity is deteriorating as people find comfort in ridiculing and humiliating the less fortunate instead of lending their hands. What has the world become?

Just when all hopes were lost, this course, Social Engagement has led a number of youthful to direct themselves into the right path to restore the faith in humanity. Our prime focus lies in helping the physically disabled and to learn as much as we can from them. Simply interacting with these individuals has provided us the golden opportunity to realize our mistakes and correct ourselves as well as to carry this lesson throughout our lives.

Walk-a-thon Walk-a-hope 2016 Poster

Parallel to this, team Genie collaborated with 7th Residential College Univerity Malaya's JKP KEP to organize 'Walkathon 2016'. This is an annual event organized to encourage the participation of both the physically able as well as disabled within and outside campus. The main objective is to promote a healthy living despite our differences and at the same time to convey a message to the people that physical disabilities are not a barrier or hindrance to lead a normal and healthy lifestyle. Ultimately, the annual walkathon is held to raise funds to build a sports and recreation centre for the physically disabled within the campus of University Malaya.

Zumba time before the Walk-a-thon

Invited participants from the disabled centres

The event was held on the 3rd of April 2016 at the Varsity Lake. Students from various faculties and colleges participated in this event. Not only that, physically challenged youths and adults from three different centres across Kuala Lumpur joined us to support this purposeful event. The event began with a short warm up session followed by the walk-a-thon itself. Members of Team Genie helped the disabled to complete the journey with success and constantly staying by their side to take good care of them.

Making our way from the starting point (Varsity Lake) to the finishing point (KPS)

All in all it was a day full of fun, excitement and mostly realization. Realizing that it is very important to celebrate all abilities as no individual is more exclusive than the other. If it wasn't for this project, many would still be negligent towards the feelings of these individuals when society assumes they are less capable. We hope that more of these projects are encourage among the younger generation because these days we can only see humans but not humanity. The event ended with a speech by our guest of honour and a photo session with all the participants.

The guest of honour officiating the event

All the participants of "Walk-a-thon Walk-a-hope 2016"

Team Genie is more than just proud to be a part of something this spectacular. Being university students, it is indeed essential for each and every one of us to behave socially responsible. The Walk-a-thon Walk-a-Hope 2016 taught us a great lesson that all human beings have a high sustainable independence even those with certain limitations and therefore we all are very much capable of achieving our goals!

Wrapping it up with a team Genie selfie!

Stay tuned for more write ups by each team member of Genie about their personal experiences and reflections! Updates on preparations prior to the event to be uploaded soon as well!

"It's unrealistic to think that the future of humanity can be achieved only on the basis of prayer; WHAT WE NEED IS TO TAKE ACTION!"

With much love,
Charroogesinee