ASEFUAN International Voluntary Service Workcamp (ASEFUAN IVS) is the newest addition to the ASEF University Alumni Network (ASEFUAN) portfolio. It seeks to create a unique sense of bonding and intercultural exchange among the participants in an identified community. It will be a practical service after inputs derived from the previous editions of the ASEF University in the context of important social themes such as poverty, peace, the environment, public health and marginalisation of vulnerable groups.
The inaugural ASEFUAN IVS 2011 is currently taking place from 28 June to 14 July 2011. The work camp is being held at Kampung Bukit Mat Daling, a remote village located not far from the Terengganu border of Malaysia. Hosted by local families, volunteers spend their time on a range of projects such as building a bridge, carrying out major residential repairs, conducting English classes and helping out with farming or gardening activities.
The ASEFUAN IVS Workcamp was born at the 4th Networking Conference for Asian and European Young Volunteers (NAEYV) held in Indonesia earlier this year. This conference was organised by ASEF and the Coordinating Commitee for International Voluntary Service (CCIVS), in cooperation with Indonesia International Work Camp (IIWC) . Through networking with representatives of various International Voluntary Service (IVS) organisations during the Conference, ASEFUAN came up with the idea to enlarge and enrich its own programme of activities to include voluntary grassroots fieldwork for the duration of a summer camp.
This work camp is co-organised with Service Civil International (SCI), Service Civil International Malaysia (SCI Malaysia) and Yayasan Salam Malaysia. Other active partners include Universiti Sains Malaysia, Rakan Muda, Ministry of Youth and Sports Malaysia, Integrated College of Allied Health and Nursing, JKKK Kampung Bukit Mat Daling as well as Media Prima Bhd, the official media partner.