Ready to make an impact? Volunteering isn’t just good karma – it’s the ultimate way to connect with your community while picking up new skills and making real change happen. Whether you’ve got a few spare hours or looking for a regular gig, these five amazing organisations are doing the good-good and could use your help in Kuala Lumpur.
1. Trash Hero
Trash Hero is an energetic, global volunteer-led movement that aims to reduce waste and plastic pollution, and drive behaviour change within communities around the world.
Every week, Trash Hero Kuala Lumpur meets up to clean up. There’s no cost, no sign-up—all you have to do is show up. Cleaning materials are provided. Like and check their Facebook page for each week’s meeting point.
2. Kechara Soup Kitchen
A non-religious community action group, Kechara Soup Kitchen (KSK) distributes food, basic medical aid, and counselling to Malaysia’s homeless, impoverished, and underprivileged people.
From packing and distributing food over their kitchen counter to street distribution, surplus food collection and distribution, cleaning dishes and the kitchen, sorting out donated clothes, and more, KSK is always on the lookout for volunteers. First-timers are required to attend a briefing, but otherwise, you do not need to commit to a certain period of time or days to join the activities.
Check their website for more information, and WhatsApp them to get started.
WhatsApp: +60 12 615 0260
3. Free Tree Society
Free Tree Society (FTS) is a non-profit environmental organisation that promotes environmental awareness, action, and conservation in urban areas through planting, gardening, and maintenance of wildlife habitats.
Volunteering at the Bangsar or Taman Tugu nurseries will typically consist of an introduction to Free Tree Society, walks, talks, a planting workshop, and nursery management (transplanting, propagation, fertilising, watering, pest control, and whatever else needs doing). FTS also runs weekly conservation and trail maintenance activities for the Pulai Trail, where you’ll learn about urban forest regeneration, upkeep of the trail, and planting for biodiversity.
4. Paws Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)
PAWS is a non-profit animal shelter in Petaling Jaya that has been caring for unwanted dogs and cats since 1987. They are dewormed, fully vaccinated, neutered, and put up for adoption. While they wait for their forever home, you can volunteer to spend time with any animal you want and do the work you enjoy.
To volunteer, an advance booking must be made via phone during shelter hours (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. six days a week / closed on Wednesdays and Public Holidays) – no walk-ins allowed. Slot availability is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Address: Jalan PJU 1A/20, Ara Damansara, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Contact: +60 17 284 7500
5. EPIC Homes
EPIC Homes aims to build relationships between the urban and rural divide through the act of building homes for underprivileged communities, currently focusing on the indigenous people of Peninsular Malaysia, the Orang Asli.
Volunteer your time or join the community to help map villages, train volunteers, coordinate events or become a builder via their volunteer pathways. In just three days, with your own two hands, you can make a lasting impact on a community in need.
WhatsApp: +60 17 752 3771
