Community Service - .MPU 3412 - SEPTEMBER 2021
Community Service - .MPU 3412 - SEPTEMBER 2021
Community Service - .MPU 3412 - SEPTEMBER 2021
MATRICULATION NO : <970930086080001>
IDENTITY CARD NO. : <970930086080>
TELEPHONE NO. : <01136693497>
E-MAIL : < vickyselvan@oum.edu.my>
LEARNING CENTRE : <Johor Bahru Learning Center>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGES
ACTIVITY 1 : DOCUMENTATION
1.1 INTRODUCTION
1.2 THEME
1.3 NAME OF COMMUNITY SERVICE
1.4 DATE
1.5 TIME
1.6 VENUE
1.0 3-6
1.7 FAMILY MEMBERS INVOLVED IN THIS ACTIVITY
1.8 BRIEF EXPANATION OF THE TASK FOR EACH MEMBER
INVOLVED
1.9 OBJECTIVES OF THIS ACTIVITY
1.10 DESCRIPTION OF BEFORE AND DURING THE
IMPLEMENTATION
4.0 REFERENCES 13
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1.1 INTRODUCTION
Community service is an action or involvement of a person or group of people who are prepared
to do something for free. This is defined as unpaid labour done by specific individuals for the
profit and advancement of their society without any sort of remuneration. ("Volunteering and
its Surprising Benefits - HelpGuide.org", 2021). Community service is a type of volunteerism
that aims to help people or benefit society as a whole. It is frequently focused towards bettering
the lives of others, particularly those in underprivileged places which may benefit a variety of
groups, including children, women, transgender people, the elderly, and even animals. In certain
cases, community service may differs from volunteering since is not always performed
voluntarily and may be required depending on the circumstances. (Sarikas, 2021)
1.2 THEMES
The year 2020 has seen a significant worldwide transformation in terms of people’s lives and
health. COVID-19 began as a health disaster, but quickly turned into a global economic crisis,
triggering the biggest economic slump in history, which is commonly linked with
unemployment, financial uncertainty, and fear. This pandemic has completely transformed our
life, including how we live and connect .The theme I have chosen for this community service is
public health . The covid 19 pandemic have negatively affected people’s health in terms of
mental since many of us are required to remain in our premises at all times owing to lockdown .
This has posed a significant impact on the mental health of many people, since they have been
isolated from friends and families. Being separated from one’s loved ones causes feelings of
isolation, depression, and, in some cases, suicidal ideation, which is quite concerning especially
for Malaysians who are now trapped in Singapore owing to border restriction. Hence, the
pandemic has taught many individuals the value of family and the obligations we have to keep
our families together and cherish them as we always have, which many have neglected due to a
hectic job life and personal commitments.
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‘Rich by Heart’ is the name of my community service project. I chose this name because I feel
the richest people are those who is close to their family. This pandemic has taught me that
happiness is the most crucial factor in living a good life since many of us emphasise money over
happiness, causing us to distance ourselves from our families while they desire for our love and
attention. As part of ‘Rich by Heart,’ I have chosen to help my family members clean and
decorate our premises for Deepavali because I believe this activity will allow me to treasure the
moments i spend with my parents and bringing me closer to them.
1.4 DATE
The video recording action occurred on November 3, 2021, one day before Deepavali, I picked
this day so that I could display the actual preparation and cleaning activities carried out by my
family before the festive day.
1.5 TIME
I filmed this activity from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. since it was the best period for my family members to
cooperate and complete their jobs without interruption.
1.6 VENUE
The activity took place in my residence, which is located at Block U 02-19, Rumah Pangsa Sri
Lanang, Jalan Harmonium, Taman Desa Tebrau, 81100 Johor Bahru , Johor.
This activity was arranged with my family members because they volunteered to help me
achieve my goals for this activity and make it a success. My father, Mr. Panneerselvan, and
mother, Mrs. Sathiabama, are members of my team. Due to widespread of Covid 19, I have
chosen not to include outsiders in this activity since social distancing is a must to be practised.
1.8 A SHORT EXPLANATION OF THE TASK FOR EACH FAMILY MEMBER INVOLVED
.
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In order for the planned activities to go successfully, I had a brief chat with my parents about
their separate responsibilities in order to avoid any disagreements while carrying them out. We
decided that because there were only three of us, each of us would complete three tasks. My
father made the decision to clean the fan and windows in the living room and to adorn the walls
with ornamental stuffs. My mother swept the entire house, washed the dining dishes and plates,
and prepared snacks and biscuits for our visitors. Meanwhile, I opted to clean down all of the
furnishings in the bedroom and living room to ensure that the space is dust-free for our visitors .
As the last activity of mine , i helped my mother in wiping all the cleaned plates and glasses .We
took turns shooting the full activities undertaken by each of us in order to ensure all of us were
present in the video because we opted to carry out the activities within ourselves due to social
distancing.
1.9 OBJECTIVES
Many individuals were quite depressed since they were forced to remain in their homes, and this
act prevents them from seeing or spending time with their loved ones. The major objective of
‘Rich by Heart’ is to deepen my connection with my parents and relieve them of the stress of
cleaning the house. My parents will be able to sense my love and care for them in this way, and I
will be able to take a moment of appreciation. Bringing joy to my parents impacts the tone and
environment of the house, making it a pleasant place to live in this pandemic, which
considerably relieves my mental tension.
Initially, I was hesitant to accept this assignment because I had no prior expertise, but I chose to
push myself. As a result, before beginning this task, I realised I needed to grasp what it means to
perform a community service. After discussing with my tutor, I realised that I needed to do
something to make this community a better place for people around us. I sought the aid of my
parents in order to complete this assignment in a meaningful manner. Because Deepavali was
approaching, I devised an activity that would help my family by relieving them of the effort of
cleaning our premise. As a result, project ‘Rich by Heart’ was put into action. I decided to go
shopping for some basic materials such as a broom, dishes, wiping cloths, and decorative objects
before beginning the activity. I gave my parents a quick briefing to help them grasp their
particular tasks and offer clarity. We videotaped the entire event, taking turns recording each
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other. The recording was initially not as smooth as we had hoped owing to external noises, but
after multiple attempts, we were able to shoot them to our satisfaction. Although we were all
apprehensive during the recording process since we had to present ourselves in front of the
camera, the final result was excellent and the assignment was finished successfully as
anticipated.
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2.1 INTRODUCTION
Every person learns the most important life lessons through their experiences. Reflection is
defined by Jasper (2003) as "the method we learn from an event in order to comprehend and
develop practise." Reflection may be especially beneficial when coping with a tough or hard
circumstance since it allows an individual to have a better insight and lead to new learning. Due
to covid 19 constraints, I was told to conduct an indoor activity as part of my community service
assignment. As a result, I picked a house cleaning activity and titled it 'Rich By Heart.' Every
individual in today's world is preoccupied with pursuing their aspirations, which drives them to
work tirelessly. As a result, they are labelled 'Workaholics' since they are so engrossed in their
job and frequently prioritise work above their family. As a daughter to my parents, I realise how
vital it is for everyone to spend time with their parents or families since love and care are what
they demand from us the most.. Keeping this in mind, I planned to execute an activity that would
solely focus on spending quality time with my parents. Since most of us are staying indoors and
working from home during this pandemic, cleaning the house with our parents might be a great
way to become closer to them while spending quality time with them.
Because Deepavali was approaching, I realised that cleaning the home may be a good option for
my community service project. So, two weeks before Deepavali, I met my parents to discuss my
proposal since I feel that without appropriate preparation, the execution of the activity may not
be easy. My father proposed that the activities be carried out on the day before Deepavali, so that
we could film a true preparation rather than a contrived one, saving us time and energy. So, on
the actual day, two hours before my scheduled activity, I opted to go shopping for some required
goods because shopping may be time consuming for me.We attempted shooting each other's
portions by taking turns because we opted not to include others in our activity owing to covid 19
constraints. Despite the fact that this activity was only for assessment purposes, my parents were
overjoyed since they had a great time participating in this initiative.
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2.3 EMOTIVE ( WHAT DID I FEEL)
I was amazed by how delighted my parents were doing their parts during the entire video
shooting. My parents' enthusiasm for the activity was palpable in their behaviours. We made so
many jokes and laughed at each other. While cleaning, I realised how much effort my parents,
especially my mother, put in to keep the house clean on days when she had to clean it all by
herself. I felt terrible that all this time, I had been too preoccupied with my work to care about
assisting her, and that I had assumed that cleaning the house was a simple chore. During the
activity, my mother also told about the problems she encountered while cleaning the home,
particularly while cleaning the fan, of which she was worried owing to the height of the fan and
her fear of falling down. My father urged me to spend some time aiding my mother and
appreciating her efforts after hearing about her condition. She has never complained to this day. I
considered myself quite privileged to have such understanding and supporting parents.
To guarantee that the project runs well and without hiccups, I feel that appropriate planning and
collaboration with my team members is critical. However, to guarantee that no disruptions occur,
I realised that having a safe workplace is also crucial because accidents are avoided if necessary
steps are taken. Because the activity entails cleaning, scenarios such as falls and minor injuries
may occur, posing a risk to my elderly parents as well as myself. To avoid a situation like this,
my father and I conducted a house inspection to identify and remove any dangers that may lead
to falls or accidents. Firstly, I oiled the windows in the living room since they were rusty and
difficult to open. This was done so that my father could easily open and clean the windows. I
have also installed anti-slip mats in the kitchen to prevent any falls, as the floor may become wet
during my mother's dishwashing act. Then, my father and I moved the furniture in our living
room so that we would all have a clear and unobstructed way to move. After we finished
organising the home, I felt glad and at ease knowing that my parents could move about freely. I
realised that even before the activity, this initiative had raised my awareness of the importance of
my parents' safety, which should be my first concern and should not be overlooked.
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2.5 EVALUATIVE ( WAS THE EXPERIENCE GOOD OR BAD ?)
After completing the exercise, I discovered that I had a positive experience, which was
incredibly encouraging for me, especially because my parents treasured every minute we spent
together as a family. Since the consequence of the activity dramatically transformed the
ambiance of the house, the house appeared clean and neat. I could tell I was inhaling cleaner air
once the ceiling fans and floor were cleaned. Furthermore, the beautiful decorations hung on the
walls totally transformed the appearance of the house, giving it a Deepavali appeal. As someone
who suffers from sinusitis, I realised that unclean air might create allergies and breathing
difficulties for my parents, whose immune systems are weakened due to their age. As a result, I
realised that this cleaning task should be done on a regular basis.
I resolved to myself that I would join my parents in cleaning the home premise more frequently,
and seeing the delight on my parents' faces encouraged me to do so on a regular basis. faces
made me feel exteremely good about completing the activity on a regular basis. Aside from that,
this exercise showed me the value of bonding with our family members, which I had been
ignoring owing to my job schedule. I realised that, although working from home throughout the
epidemic, I frequently prioritised work above my family, causing my relationships with them to
be strained. As a result, this activity has provided me with the chance to become closer to them
while also teaching me the most essential lesson of my life, which is that we must show our love
for those we care about . As the saying goes ‘Money cannot buy happiness’. I realised that love
and care are essential components in the formation of a good family and are the only things our
parents ask of us. We should all remember our parents' efforts and enjoy their presence while
they are still with us.
2.7 CONCLUSION
Despite the fact that the activity was entirely indoors, all activities were carried out flawlessly by
team members with the highest commitment. Despite the 19 constraints, the project 'Rich by
Heart' was a success. My house became a more cleaner and safer place to live as a result of my
efforts. This project taught me the value of demonstrating love to those we care about in addition
to meeting their necessities. Parents are people who should be appreciated at all stages of our life
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because without them, we would not be able to be who we are today. As a result, I believe they
should be treated with the highest respect at all times. As a result of these assignments, I've
grown more conscious of my parents' needs and desires. It is not just about money demands, but
also about physical and emotional needs, which should be addressed. Besides , individuals who
work together on tasks develop responsibility and key life skills that will serve them well
throughout their lives. Such jobs also create strong leadership qualities and enhance confidence
in those who want to serve the society, particularly through volunteer activities.
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3.0 ACTIVITY 4 : ESSAY QUESTION
Volunteering is defined as an activity in which people contribute their time and talents to help
others without receiving monetary remuneration. Many non-profit organisations rely on
volunteers to achieve day-to-day aims as well as long-term goals. Aside from the personal joy it
provides, volunteering has a slew of additional advantages. (Todd, 2021)
Volunteering activities can assist those who are about to enter the workforce or who are looking
for work to enhance their careers. For example, these individuals may get experience in their
area of interest while meeting new people in the sector. Volunteering also teaches many vital
skills that are necessary in organisations, and these talents are something that employers look for
when recruiting individuals. For instance, collaboration, time management, communication,
problem solving, and leadership abilities. Possessing these abilities prior to entering the labour
field might be advantageous for job seekers. Volunteering may also give job experience,
allowing an individual to test out a new field without making a long-term commitment. In some
disciplines, one can directly volunteer at an organisation. A person interested in nursing, for
example, may volunteer in hospitals or nursing homes to gain hands-on experience with patients
before becoming a registered nurse. An excellent volunteering experience may be added to one's
résumé when seeking work, making them stand out from other job prospects because it
emphasises one's character, enthusiasm, and dedication. ("Benefits of Community Service –
Community Engagement", 2021)
Besides ,Volunteering allows people to effortlessly interact with others, which is especially
beneficial for individuals who are shy or introverted by nature. A shy individual, for example,
may find it difficult to meet new people or make new acquaintances. As a result of volunteering
activities, one may get a chance to strengthen their social skills, as they meet on a regular basis
with a group of individuals who share a shared interest. As a result, individuals may feel more at
ease making new acquaintances or broadening their social networks. Possessing high social skills
is crucial for an individual since it enhances their confidence level in their daily life, especially
when they meet others with diverse perspectives. For example, many people may be afraid to
open out to people other than their family because of how others would see them. (Broward,
2021)
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In today's fast-paced culture, many of us believe that donating money or providing necessities for
survival to people in need is the finest contribution one can make to their community rather than
actually participating in volunteer activities. For example, during the pandemic, many
individuals stepped up to aid families in need of assistance for survival by contributing food and
money. However, due to a lack of volunteers, many families got aid later than expected,
particularly in rural regions. Therefore, volunteering may create a natural sense of satisfaction as
one does good for others and their community but by physically assisting others, the job of
volunteer may also provide one with a feeling of pride and identity, making them feel better
about themselves and providing a good outlook on their life and future. ("Benefits of
Community Service – Community Engagement", 2021)
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REFERENCES
Broward, H. (2021). Here's Why Community Service Is Important - Top 5 Benefits | Habitat
for Humanity. Retrieved 29 November 2021, from https://www.habitatbroward.org/why-
community-service-is-important/
Todd, R. (2021). From Net Surfers to Net Seekers: The WWW, Critical Literacies and Learning
Outcomes. IASL Annual Conference Proceedings, 231-242. doi: 10.29173/iasl8173
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