Sabrina Gill says the MUVP Mini Race gave more people the opportunity to volunteer.

Underprivileged communities are sometimes forgotten and at times ignored, but the Monash University Volunteer Program makes them its core business.

Understanding that what underprivileged children need is time, company and a healthy dose of fun, the MUVP organised the MUVP Mini Race for 54 kids.

The foyer of Monash University Sunway campus was transformed into a game island. Peals of laughter echoed in the foyer of the Sunway campus where the kids, divided into nine groups, ran from one game station to another in a race to beat competing teams.

Aged between five and 14, the children were from Rumah Hope, Precious Children’s Home, and Praise Emmanuel Children’s Home.

“The teams spent 10 minutes at each game station, playing eight different types of games,” event manager Sabrina Gill explained.

Games included fishing paper fishes with magnets, bowling, ping pong balancing, Pictionary and ball darts.

“The kids had so much fun,” she said. “Some event took the microphone around to cheer their teams! Everyone was really happy. The kids loved the games,” she added.

Teams Pink, Orange and Red clinched the first three spots, but all 54 received a prize. The event’s sponsor, Bic, presented each child with a pencil case set.

“But the best part of it, was their smiles; the laughs all around and the amount of thanks you’s received when giving the children their prizes,” she said.

The kids had a ball of a time.

Treats.

Organising the children, 48 volunteers and 23 MUVP committee members to one venue for a charitable event, Sabrina said, gave more people the opportunity to volunteer.

“Not everyone can volunteer weekly. Events like these help many more to do good,” she said.