Malaysian Student’s Social & Humanitarian Efforts Recognised by UK Royals
Methodist College Kuala Lumpur (MCKL) Alumnus, Choo Yi Kang has become the pride of the nation when he was listed among over 300 recipients of the United Kingdom’s 2021 Diana Award for his active involvement and contribution involving social actions and humanitarian work.
Choo Yi Kang may be only twenty-two (22), but he is truly passionate about humanitarian and social work initiatives to help young Malaysians in the UK and other young adults going through various social issues. It is that passion that has garnered the MCKL alumnus the esteemed Diana Award recently during the virtual award ceremony.
The Diana Award was set up in 1999 to continue the legacy of the late Princess Diana. It recognises young people aged between nine and 25 who are active in social or humanitarian work around the globe.
Yi launched the Welfare Task Force for Malaysian Students Abroad where he provided valuable support to young people who couldn’t return home due to the Covid-19 pandemic, or who were experiencing mental health challenges as a result of being isolated in a foreign country.
Besides that, Yi is also a trained volunteer counsellor for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC). As part of his role, Yi supports young people in the UK on various important issues including bullying, abuse, self-harm, and family relationships, according to diana-award.org.uk/roll-of-honour-2021/.
Choo Yi Kang, who hails from Kuala Lumpur and currently studying LLB Law at Queen’s University Belfast, United Kingdom, said he was nominated for the award by the One Young World team.
“I am super grateful and honoured to be receiving this prestigious award. I would also hope to leverage this award to strongly encourage more young people out there to never stop dedicating your time and effort to contribute to meaningful voluntary work within your local communities!”
Being an MCKL alumnus where Service Learning and Character Formation is highly emphasised as part of the MCKL DNA, Yi said “these courses definitely equipped me with the experience & skills to further improve other volunteering work that I have been doing during my free time.”
In a surprise address at a virtual award ceremony for The Diana Award, the Duke of Sussex Prince Harry honoured all the recipients from across the world for going above and beyond in their daily lives to create and sustain positive change.
“Our mum believed that young people have the power to change the world. She believed in your strength because she saw it day in and day out and in the faces of young people exactly like you, she witnessed a boundless enthusiasm and passion,” he said.