APU Students Bring Joy and Sustainability Lessons to Yayasan Chow Kit

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In conjunction with Environmental Month, 21 student volunteers from Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) took part in a meaningful community outreach programme at Yayasan Chow Kit (YCK), bringing together the values of sustainability, compassion and service learning in one heartfelt initiative. 

Held on 12 June 2026, the programme was co-organised by APU’s Sustainable Future Fusion (SFF) Club, Soroptimist International Shah Alam (SISA), Peninsula International School Setia Alam, and Rent A Pot (RAP). 

YCK is a registered non-profit organisation in Kuala Lumpur dedicated to supporting underprivileged children and youth, making the outreach especially meaningful for students who are learning that success should also be measured by one’s ability to care for others. 

As part of the programme, children at YCK received 70 refurbished soft toys that were lovingly collected, cleaned, repaired and restored by students from Peninsula International School Setia Alam. 

APU students helped to distribute the soft toys donated by SISA, creating warm moments of joy among the children while also promoting the concept of reusing and extending the life cycle of items that might otherwise be discarded. 

Beyond the cheerful exchange of gifts, the outreach also introduced the children to hands-on environmental learning.

To further support Environmental Month, SISA sponsored a variety of vegetable, fruit and herb seedlings. Guided by Ms Theresa from Rent A Pot (RAP), the children learned how to plant chillies, tomatoes, brinjals, sawi and pak choy, as well as herbs such as basil, oregano and mint. 

Throughout the gardening activity, APU student volunteers assisted the children closely, encouraging them to participate, ask questions and take pride in nurturing their own plants. 

The session created a positive and engaging learning environment where the children could discover the basics of food cultivation, environmental stewardship and healthy living in a fun and practical way. 

An important sustainability element of the activity was the use of reused yoghurt containers for planting the seedlings. This simple yet creative approach helped demonstrate the practice of upcycling and waste reduction, showing the children that everyday items can be given a new purpose through care and imagination.

Reflecting on the programme, Kali Akkiyk, a Foundation Studies student, said, “It was truly rewarding to see the children become excited about how plants grow and ask thoughtful questions. This experience taught me that sustainability education can be both fun and impactful when children are given hands-on opportunities to learn.” 

Her coursemate, Floriticia Gama Sarmento Freitas, added, “The children’s excitement when receiving the refurbished soft toys and learning about gardening made the experience memorable and meaningful for all of us.” 

Ms Cynthia Mala Paul Dorairaj, Adviser of the Sustainable Future Fusion (SFF) Club and Lecturer at APU’s School of Business (SoB), shared that the outreach went beyond environmental awareness. 

“This programme was not only about teaching children how to plant or reuse materials; it was also about nurturing values that matter. Through refurbished soft toys, reused containers and hands-on gardening, the children experienced joy, care and sustainability in a simple yet meaningful way.” 

“For our APU students, it was a reminder that while they pursue their dreams and prepare for professional life, they must also remain mindful of the people around them, especially communities that need support, kindness and encouragement,” said Ms Cynthia, who coordinated the programme. 

The outreach supported SDG 3, SDG 12 and SDG 17 by promoting healthy living, reuse and upcycling, while strengthening collaboration among APU, SISA, Peninsula International School Setia Alam, RAP and Yayasan Chow Kit. Also present were Ms Fadzilah Yasin, President of Soroptimist International Shah Alam (SISA), and Ms Kalaidevi, Manager of Yayasan Chow Kit (YCK). 

Overall, the outreach brought together education, sustainability and community engagement in a single impactful event. More importantly, it offered APU students a valuable learning journey beyond the classroom — one that nurtures empathy, social responsibility and a holistic personality as they prepare to become future professionals who are not only skilled, but also compassionate and purposeful.