Help-Portait by ALSA (Asian Law Student Association)

On the 29^th of September 2012, the students of Asian Law Student Association (ALSA) KDU University College organised a project called the "Help-Portrait". Based on the United States, it is a movement by photographers who use their time, equipment and expertise to give back to those who are less fortunate. In order to show support for the movement, ALSA KDU set up a photography station to give the less fortunate families the ability to get high quality professional photos done of their families and walk out with a print photos for free.

ALSA KDU managed to support this good cause by setting up this small project of ours not to mention this was our very first project upon registering ourselves under the ALSA Malaysia which is a collaboration of many universities throughout Malaysia. As our mission, we volunteered ourselves to help the people (refugees seeking asylum in Malaysia) of the Hilla Community Centre, in Ampang . The aim was to promote the values of sharing and caring among the law students as well as letting others know the importance of peace. This project also allowed them to create awareness of the existence of the minority group in Malaysia among other Malaysians. This project also provided a chance for refugees to take family portrait with their children in order for them to preserve the happy moments of their children in their youth days as well as providing the needs for the children. 

ALSA KDU helped and volunteered by raising funds in KDU University College campus as well as getting sponsorships from Canon for  the Help-Portrait. There are some private companies who were willing enough to support in this very first encounter and not forgetting to mention, Debbie Goh, for sponsoring 50 kilograms of rice. With the funds collected, they managed to get essential food supplies and were distributed among the families who attended the function. The happiness in their faces (refugees) was indescribable while they received the food supplies. 

The centre started off with English learning and teaching. Learning the language was a vital matter for the refugees as most of them spoke in their mother tongue.  As more volunteers came forward to provide their services in teaching, the centre progressed and  was able to offer education for more subjects. Today, the classes conducted includes Bahasa Malaysia, Mathematics, Science, Arts and Craft, Piano, Vocal and Computers. Educational trips are organized to enhance the students learning experience. The centre also has an adjacent piece of land within its compound. Physical education classes are conducted here. It also serves as both a playground and activities centre for the students. In 2009, the Malaysian Ministry of Education announced that refugees are allowed to sit for the local government examinations. 

The centre has also embarked on the initiative to provide job training and counselling for adult refugees. Adults and older students are taught working skills. The subjects includes computer skills and hairdressing.

Few of the Afghanistan refugees said that the reason their fled to Malaysia is because of the war and violence that are currently happening in their country. One of the refugee stated that because of the war, most of his family were killed so now the only family members he has is his wife and children. To add on, a single mother for two who has been living in Malaysia for the past 3 years wanted to start a fresh life, running away from her abusive ex-husband who has threaten to kill them.

Life has and will always be difficult and unfair for them because of their background. However, in all hopes that the society or government may provide aid to them in order for them to have a new start of life in Malaysia. Last but not the least, ALSA KDU would love to thanked those who were involved in this project either directly or indirectly for helping them to achieve success in their very first mission after newly setting their base in KDU. As a quote to end, “love all, serve all” and “help ever, hurt never”. If both of these quotes are practised, surely there will be a change in the society.