An Intel programme allows its staff to give their time and talent to help the underprivileged, writes SUZIEANA UDA NAGU

Volunteering doesn’t mean a bad job is acceptable, says Ambigai

Khoo volunteers at least four to five times a month

Leong gets to spend time with the needy

KEVIN Leong, a senior finance analyst at Intel Malaysia, Penang, is no stranger to volunteer work.

Over the last five years, he has given his time and energy to community-based educational programmes organised by non-governmental organisations and his church.

Leong would like to to do more but work commitments often get in the way of his volunteer activities.

The recent launch of Intel Involved Matching Grant Programme (IIMGP), however, has inspired him to engage in more community work now that he can volunteer his time during office hours.
"I get to spend time with the needy with full encouragement from the management, which is wonderful," he says.

Thanks to thousands of volunteers like Leong, Intel has managed to contribute 59,720 volunteer hours -- which is equivalent to RM710,000 -- to 23 schools last year.

In 2006, Intel Malaysia employees contributed 5,860 hours and earned US$21,975 (RM76,900) in matching grants which benefited 15 schools.

This year's volunteer activities are still ongoing at 29 schools as well as NGOs such as WWF-Malaysia, Asia Community Service, Malaysian Red Crescent Society and Sunshine Cottage Welfare Society in Kulim.

Intel Corporation Chairman Datuk Dr Craig Barrett who was recently in Malaysia to present a cheque worth RM710,000 to the Education Ministry takes pride in "the leadership Intel Malaysia employees have shown through IIMGP".

"Volunteer efforts tied to education can extend the impact of information and communications technology in schools and help advance Malaysia's social and economic development," says Barrett at the cheque presentation ceremony held in SMK Datuk Haji Ahmad Badawi, Kepala Batas -- one of the schools which will benefit from the grant.

As Intel celebrates its 40th anniversary worldwide this year, Barrett appeals to the 85,000 employees globally to donate one million volunteer hours towards projects that promote access to education, healthcare and Internet connectivity.

IIMGP is an expansion of the Volunteer Matching Grant Programme (VMGP) to recognise and reward Intel employees who volunteer for community organisations and schools for its 40th anniversary.

Its objective is to support employees who give their time and talent to qualified NGOs, in addition to schools.

It also aims to give employees the chance to earn money for charitable institutions that are meaningful to them.

Intel volunteers are known to have served thousands of hours at local non-profit organisations each year. This gives them the chance to have their volunteer hours matched.

One volunteer hour is equivalent to US$4. After a minimum of 20 hours has been accrued, a donation or "match" of up to US$10,000 maximum per eligible organisation a year will be triggered from the Intel Foundation.

Intel Malaysia volunteer coordinator Azrena Mahmud says that the volunteer activities are determined by schools which are pre-selected by the relevant State Education Departments.

Intel employees can volunteer in different ways -- from beautifying the school compound, painting classrooms, organising class excursions and gotong-royong to conducting Science camps.

"Our volunteers have also given extra classes in selected subjects. These are guided by the standard curriculum set by the schools," adds Azrena.

Feedback from teachers suggests that Intel volunteer programmes are popular with students.

"There seems to be a rush for Intel-organised activities in schools. Those which were not adopted by Intel have also requested to be added to our list," says Azrena.

The activities enrich the lives of both volunteers and schools involved.

Volunteering has opened Leong's eyes to "the amount of need that exists in (his) backyard".

"We have been led to believe that most schools and NGOs are well funded. But once you have discussions with them, you will realise that this isn't so," says Leong, whose department recently donated a washing machine to St Joseph's Home in Penang.

Other volunteers discover that working for a good cause has also sharpened their workplace skills.

Organising a successful volunteering event requires much planning. Many utilise management and interpersonal skills as well as their extensive network to coordinate events and gain the commitment from other volunteers and senior management.

Technical training manager Ambigai Balan Krishnan says that organising a successful volunteering event requires organisational skills.

"I need to ensure my team does thorough planning prior to executing any volunteer activity. It doesn't mean that we can do a bad job just because we are doing volunteer work," he adds.

Industrial engineer and IIMGP coordinator Chia Wee Loon agrees.

"A good network and social skills are important when you need to bring the school and volunteers together," says Chia, who admits to having been bitten by the volunteering bug.

Chia is not the only one "addicted" to volunteering at Intel Malaysia.

"I think everyone feels a sense of fulfillment from the realisation that we can do a lot to help the less fortunate. That's why I see the same faces (of volunteers) in the different projects that I'm involved. They keep on coming back to volunteer," he adds.

One of them is Khoo Yeong Ming who volunteers at least four to five times a month and five to six hours per event as part of the Community Outreach Team under the Go Intel Involved Group.

Volunteering may almost be Khoo's second job but it is no chore to him as working with The Community Outreach Team feels like spending time with his family.

"It's fun to be part of a group which shares your passion for spending countless of hours helping to improve the lives of the ageing, disabled and underprivileged," adds Khoo who, in his own time, volunteers for a charitable group run by his mother, Ang Chye Hoon and friends.

Khoo encourages more Malaysians to volunteer as he believes that "it is from giving your time that you will learn to be compassionate, selfless and respectful of others".

Chia feels that efforts must be made to instil the spirit of volunteerism in the young "so that it becomes a norm and a habit, like in Europe, North America and Japan".

"Parents should set an example to their children," he says.

A little exposure to volunteering would do Malaysian youth the world of good, says Leong.

"A higher level of social awareness and a broader understanding of the world (gained from volunteering) would make them more well-rounded," he adds.