Beyond 20 is a student-led initiative at Methodist College Kuala Lumpur (MCKL) dedicated to fostering a culture of consistent and collaborative community service. Rooted in the college’s mandatory Service-Learning class, it offers monthly volunteer opportunities in partnership with various NGOs.
Aimed to inspire students to embrace lifelong volunteerism, Beyond 20 focuses on humanitarian and environmental causes which align with MCKL’s core values and encourages students to actively participate in meaningful community service.
The initiative was founded by Chan Zi Tong, a Cambridge A Level student, who was inspired by her own positive experience in the Service-Learning class. Recognising the potential for continued volunteerism beyond the required 20 hours, Chan wanted to create a supportive community through this initiative.
Under Chan’s leadership, Beyond 20 has attracted over 50 student volunteers and organised more than 13 volunteer sessions and several additional projects. Notable projects included partnerships with Kebun-Kebun Bangsar, a community garden, and Friends of Sungai Klang, an environmental NGO. One of Beyond 20’s standout projects was Classroom Connections, a humanitarian initiative launched to support special needs children at the Selangor and Federal Territory for the Mentally Handicapped (SAMH) Wisma Harapan in Brickfields. A total of RM2,000 was raised and donated to the organisation, along with educational materials collected.
Looking ahead, Beyond 20 remains committed to expanding its reach beyond the MCKL community. By strengthening its relationships with external NGOs and establishing a more prominent role among students, the initiative aims to inspire the next generation of volunteers and community leaders. Beyond 20 firmly believes that small, individual efforts can lead to meaningful, collective change. By providing students with the tools and opportunities to make a difference, the initiative hopes to foster a culture of kindness, empathy, and collaboration at MCKL, ensuring that the spirit of service continues to thrive both within and beyond the college.