If you’ve got access to a computer, thousands of different volunteer projects and roles are available to you — from your home, the library, a coffee shop, anywhere with an Internet connection. While it’s often called online or virtual volunteering, getting involved remotely doesn’t have to require an Internet connection. From remote locations to technology-free projects, these volunteer opportunities will give you the break, calm, simplicity or perspective you need.
Here’s how it works
1. Choose a project and make a payment of USD10.(you can send as many postcards as you like for a whole year) Once we receive your payment, we will send you a 4 digit CODE. This CODE is unique and it is yours until the duration expires in a year.
2. In our email, we will send you all the details and what you can do to help.
3. That’s it. It’s easy, it’s simple, it’s fun and you are awesome!
Here are just a few options available:
1. Postcards for children with serious medical condition
Receiving something as simple as a postcard will bring a huge smile to their faces. It might seem a small gesture but for parents, doctors and the nurses caring for these children, it means a lot to see these children smile. Our three participating hospitals are all located in Borneo – Hospital Beluran, Hospital Duchess of Kent Sandakan and Hospital Kinabatangan.
The purpose of sending postcards to children with serious medical conditions is to bring them cheer and help them forget about their medical needs, at least for a short while. For many children who are unable to travel, postcards allow them a glimpse into other countries and other people’s lives, and give them a sense of adventure and anticipation. However, this experience can be marred when well-meaning individuals say things that are inappropriate and insensitive and inadvertently offend and upset the children and their families. Here is a short, non-exhaustive guide on what to write and what not to write:
WHAT NOT TO WRITE:
1. Don’t say “I am sorry you are unwell”, “I am sorry you have cancer”, “I hope you beat cancer”, or anything that hints at mortality, e.g. “I had an aunt who had leukaemia so I know it sucks”. Don’t express pity. They want to hear from friends around the world, not about how sad you are for them. Your postcards are supposed to bring them joy, not remind them of the serious illnesses they have to live with.
2. Don’t say “Get Well Soon”, or “I hope you feel better soon.” Some of them will unfortunately not get better, and they know it.
3. Don’t ask questions, they won’t be able to reply to you unless you arrange for them to write back. Worse still, don’t ask questions about their medical conditions, e.g. “How long have you had cancer?”, “When do you think you can get out of hospital?”, “Are you in any pain?”, “Do you miss going to school?”
4. Don’t give advice — it can sound patronising and insensitive. E.g. “Cheer up”, “Stay positive”, “Just take it one day at a time”. Unless you have walked a mile in their shoes, you don’t know the daily challenges the children and their families go through. Rest assured that they already are doing all they can to eat healthy, stay optimistic, stay strong and manage the best they can.
5. Don’t praise. It will sound superficial and insincere. Don’t say, for instance: “You are so brave” or “You are so strong”. They don’t have a choice not to be brave or strong.
6. Don’t share your religious beliefs. Don’t say: “Trust in God”, “God will provide”, “Have faith in God”, “Pray hard”, “I will pray for you” or “I will keep you in my prayers.” The recipient of the postcard may not share your religious beliefs and such words may sound insensitive and patronising or like an attempt to proselytise.
WHAT TO WRITE:
1. Start off with a warm, sincere and child-friendly greeting that isn’t overly familiar. “Hello there!” and “Greetings from Canada!” will work fine since you’ve never met each other before.
2. Introduce yourself, where you live, your hobbies and your pets or siblings. After all, these are topics that interest children.
3. Say a little something about the postcard you chose for them. E.g. “This is the Museum of Modern Art, which is a tourist attraction in the city I come from. There are lots of works by famous artists on display there.”
4. It is a good idea to add a clean joke or riddle, or stick some stickers and glitter stars on the postcard. They are still, first and foremost, children. Think of what your own children or younger siblings would like.
5. It’s okay to say “Thinking of you” and “Sending love / happy thoughts / sunshine your way”, “Best wishes to you and your family”.
Write your messages and send it to
Yellow House Volunteer Hostel KL
213 Lorong Ikan Emas 2,
Kg Ampang Campuran,
68000 Ampang,
Selangor.
p/s- Cards are mailed out every first Monday of the month
2. Cards for juvenile prison mates
The purpose of sending postcards to youths in juvenile correctional facilities is to encourage and motivate them and lift their spirits by sending them a friendly note from a place far away. They may have made mistakes in life but they are still not much more than children, and all children love to have friends and love to receive mail about interesting things and places. Here is a short, non-exhaustive guide on what to write and what not to write:
WHAT NOT TO WRITE:
1. Don’t preach. Many of them may not have had the opportunities you had. It is patronising and possibly counterproductive to say: “Study hard and make something useful out of yourself” or “I hope you see the error in your ways and turn over a new leaf.”
2. Don’t ask questions, they won’t be able to reply to you unless you arrange for them to write back. Worse still, don’t ask questions about their living conditions, e.g. “What’s it like in prison”?”, “How long until you get out?” or “Do you miss going to school?”
3. Don’t share your religious beliefs. Don’t say: “Trust in God”, “God will provide”, “Have faith in God”, “Pray hard”, “I will pray for you” or “I will keep you in my prayers.” The recipient of the postcard may not share your religious beliefs and such words may sound insensitive and patronising or like an attempt to proselytise.
4. Don’t patronise. Many of the young persons have experienced hardship. Do not talk down to them as though they are toddlers, e.g. “If you are a good boy, I am sure they will let you out soon”, “I am sure your Mummy and Daddy want you to be good and not be naughty anymore.”
5. Don’t talk or joke about alcohol, sex, and illegal or criminal activities in an attempt to seem cool. Not cool, bro. Not cool.
WHAT TO WRITE:
1. Start off with a warm, sincere and child-friendly greeting that isn’t overly familiar. “Hello there!” and “Greetings from Canada!” will work fine since you’ve never met each other before.
2. Introduce yourself, where you live, your hobbies, your pets, your siblings, your buddies and your favourite music groups or sports clubs. After all, these are topics that interest children and teens.
3. Say a little something about the postcard you chose for them. E.g. “This is the Museum of Modern Art, which is a tourist attraction in the city I come from. There are lots of works by famous artists on display there.”
4. It is a good idea to add a clean joke or riddle, or a quote about friendship or courage, for instance. Add a cartoon sketch or two if you like to draw.
5. You can end the missive with “Best regards”, “Best wishes”, “Sending positive thoughts”, or youth-friendly expressions such as “Peace Out”, “Cheerio” or “Hang loose”
Here’s how:
Write your messages and send it to
Yellow House Volunteer Hostel KL
213 Lorong Ikan Emas 2,
Kg Ampang Campuran,
68000 Ampang,
Selangor.
p/s- Cards are mailed out every first Monday of the month
Interested in learning more about how you can volunteer anywhere, at any time? Send us an email to shyampriah@gmail.com.
Other opportunities:
- Help build, develop, update and manage a website
- Help send a postcard to children with serious medical condition to cheer them up
- Help send a postcard to juvenile prison mates to stay positive
- Help update social media for NGOs
- Graphics and Video Support
- Provide Marketing and Consultation Support
- Assist with Research of Indigenous People in Malaysia
- Provide Editing and Copywriting Support
- Help with Proposal & Grant Writing for NGOs
- Create a blog, podcast, video, or social networking profile for a nonprofit organization or grassroots movement