Driving social impact through volunteerism

MIRI: The 27-year-old Spanski Steven, a Kenyah/Kayan from Kampung Uma Akeh, Baram, has become synonymous with volunteerism.

Since 2020, Spanski and a group of other volunteers, primarily from the Malaysian Humanitarian Movement (MYHumanitarian) and International Youth Centre (IYC) Kuala Lumpur, have been involved in completing community projects that brought clean water supply to various villages in the Telang Usan constituency.

“I believe volunteers make an immeasurable difference in people’s lives and often serve to help others,” he told New Sarawak Tribune recently.

COMMUNITY PROJECTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

These projects have been carried out at Kampung Kenyah-Kampung Long Puak, Kampung Uma Akeh, SK St. Pius Long Sana, Kampung Penan-Kampung Long Latei, and Kampung Long Sayan.

The projects were implemented under the “gotong-royong” basis among the volunteers and the villagers with strong support from the Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. All these community-based water supply projects are done to complement what the state government is undertaking.

CHALLENGES DURING COVID-19

Spanski recalled that the hardest period in reaching out to the community was during COVID-19, to deliver food items and medicines.
“This is where we are putting all of our blood, sweat, and tears to help those in the interior areas of Telang Usan, given their conditions at that point in time,” he said.

During that period, Spanski, along with other volunteers and staff of the Telang Usan PBB service centre, deployed essential food items to 32 villages within the Telang Usan constituency. Some of the food items were sent via air transportation due to the remoteness of some villages, while others were delivered by four-wheel-drive (4WD).

Spanski (left) and his team provides food assistance to villagers in the Telang Usan constituency during the COVID-19 pandemic.

EARLY YEARS AND PERSONAL GROWTH

Thirteen years ago, Spanski was just a teenage boy, working as a part-time clown. In between, he began honing his communication skills through emcee jobs with various organisations, earning around RM100 to RM150 per job.

“Mostly the emcee jobs were with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)…from there, I started to develop my skills in emcee tasks,” he pointed out.

His uniqueness has made Spanski stand out among other teens.

Spanski (third from right) poses for a group photo with former Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri (centre) at the Malaysian Youth Parliament.

LEADERSHIP AND VISION

As the eldest of two siblings, Spanski has always wanted to bring positive vibes through volunteerism to his community in Telang Usan.

“I wanted to inspire our youths in the Baram area to achieve success and to tell them that nothing is impossible if you focus on it,” he said.

A former member of the Malaysian Youth Parliament and co-founder of the Baram FC club, Spanski always challenge himself to excel in each task given.

Spanski.

“I believe volunteerism helps create a better place,” he said.
For him, volunteerism is a force that brings communities together regardless of their background.

“Volunteering creates a positive community and a sense of belonging. Serving alongside others for a common cause creates a strong sense of community and belonging that makes a positive difference in people’s lives,” Spanski added.

It also provides an opportunity for self-development, adding value, and improving the lives of others. With this, he hopes more youth, especially in rural areas, could emulate his footsteps by getting involved in volunteerism and helping those in need.