KIWANIS Malaysia District has launched its digital platform, called ‘Kiwanis 4.0’, at the 19th Kiwanis Malaysia District Convention in Penang recently.
Over 150 Kiwanians from all over Malaysia converged at Parkroyal Penang Resort in Batu Ferringhi for their convention as well as to celebrate the 43rd anniversary of Kiwanis in Malaysia.
The ‘Kiwanis 4.0’ site, which took only one year to set up, focuses on allowing clubs to do crowdfunding through technology.
District Governor Ivan Oh said with the new system, Kiwanis Malaysia hopes to encourage the public to donate with ease, participate in community engagement under the Kiwanis umbrella and purchase Kiwanis merchandises through the site.
Kiwanis Malaysia thus became the first District in the world to embrace the 4th Industrial Revolution by making the membership as frictionless and enjoyable as possible for the 57 clubs nationwide that has a membership of 1,500.
Kiwanis Malaysia has established 18 permanent centres, with each fully operated by a Kiwanis Club to help in the development of children and youths with special needs.
In total, there are six Down Syndrome centres with early intervention programmes, four job training centres and other centres that provide childcare.
Also present at the launch were Seri Delima assemblyman Syerleena Abdul Rashid, Puan Sri Christine Khir Johari, Penang Hindu Endowment Foundation executive director Datuk M. Ramachandran (who represented Deputy Chief Minister II Prof P. Ramasamy), Kiwanis Club of Penang Central president Datuk Seri Wong Siew Hai and secretary See Swee Sie.
“Their newly revamped website is nicely done and its features make navigation as well as donation easy. Kiwanis has definitely embraced Industrial 4.0 by utilising social media and technology. Very impressive,” said Syerleena, who was the guest of honour.
She said the convention allowed Kiwanians from all states of Malaysia to foster friendship, encourage one another to continue in the community work they do, compare notes on their projects and discuss how to better improve their future developments.
Syerleena said she was given to understand that the first Kiwanis Club, Kiwanis KL, was formed through the pioneering initiative of the late Tan Sri Khir Johari. Fondly known as “Bapa Kiwanis”, he was then the returning Malaysian ambassador to the United States. He was also a former Education Minister.
Syerleena continued: “Albert Einstein said, “Only a life lived for others is worthwhile”. This is indeed true. How meaningless would our lives be if we only lived for our own pleasure and needs.
“How fulfilling indeed when we extend a helping hand, when we go the extra mile for others and when we are able to touch hearts.
“I am very happy to see so many of you here, all races and religions united in true Malaysian spirit to help one another and other races and walks of life. Our differences and our similarities are our strength. In our diversity, we are indeed united.
“Let’s continue to show that Malaysia is a beautiful, united, unique country and that we are a people who can live, work and contribute in true harmonious spirit.”
The next activity that Kiwanis Club of Penang Central will be organising is ‘The Amazing Penang Hill Treasure Hunt’ on Oct 19.
See said the treasure hunt is to raise funds for the Kiwanis Mental Health Series, Kiwanis Educates Children for the Future, Kiwanis Young Entrepreneur Program and Penang Hill Rest Stop P84.
“The inaugural challenge will have the elements of a traditional treasure hunt, scavenger hunt, photo hunt, I-SPY, Puzzler and a variety of fun tasks that will push the team’s resourcefulness and team spirit to the limit,” See said.
Entries close on Oct 1. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/kiwanispenangcentral.my or call Jay at 010-811 4939.
Story by K.H. Ong