MPUIS contestants for blood donation and charity

MPUIS contestants donate their blood during a campaign at Puchong Community Centre. (Photo credit: Yusri Ibrahim)

The 14 finalists of Miss Petite Universe International Semenanjung 2020 (MPUIS) donated their blood at a program being organized by Sun Production at Puchong Jaya Community Centre on August 15, 2020.

According to MPUIS state director Param Saiji, founder of Sun Production, organiser of the pageant, the blood donation campaign in support of Pusat Darah Negara (National Blood Centre) was aimed at encouraging the community to donate blood and raising public awareness about the importance of blood donation.

“I’m happy to see the turnout of donors from all races and walks of life come together to support causes like this during the recovery control movement order (MCO),” said Param, who also donated blood, in thanking all donors for their support in making the event a success.

The campaign from 10am to 2pm collected in all, a total of 43 bags of blood in capacity of 350ml and 450 ml.

Everyone at the event was reminded to wear a mask to stem the spread of Covid-19 and to comply with the recovery MCO standard operating procedures (SOP) in force.

For Yamaayah Subadev, 24, one of the contestants of the Miss Petite Universe International Semenanjung 2020, it was her first time donating blood and she enjoyed helping the cause as much as she can.

She found out that the Covid-19 outbreak has caused a reduction in blood supply at Pusat Darah Negara and the blood bank was appealing to the public to come forward to donate blood.

MPUIS contestants Yamaayah Subadev (left) and Mimi Jijoe are making a difference in the community by giving their blood voluntarily.

“I hope to make a difference by making a contribution to society. I’m happy to donate knowing that it’s going to a good cause, that my blood could truly help save the life of someone in our community. I’m definitely going to do it again,” said the second-year chemical engineering student at UM.

Standing at 159 cm (5’ 2.6”) tall, the petite lady from Melaka who finished in the top 5 in Miss India Tourism Malaysia 2014 pageant, believes that pageants can be empowering for women.

“Young women can use the platform to build their self-confidence and raise public awareness to charitable causes.

“There are families who could not afford to send their children to tuition classes. I plan to start-up a tutoring business to help these students from disadvantaged backgrounds,” said Yamaayah, who clearly demonstrated having the charity entrepreneurial mindset.

The Malaccan not only loves to dance, such as her favourite semi fusion belly dance pop and lock, but also enjoys the challenge of fencing. She wants to be a great fencer and one day leading to something and being successful.

The 14 finalists, including Yamaayah, are vying to be crowned the first Miss Petite Universe International Semenanjung at the upcoming pageant final on Sept 26 at Swiss Garden Hotel Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur.

MPUIS contestants are very happy to have participated in the blood donation drive.

Param doing his part to help save lives.

The public responded well to the blood donation campaign.

First-time blood donor Fatin Afiqah proudly showing the certificate of appreciation from Pusat Darah Negara.

Another first-time donor Fatin Afiqah, 22, a clerk, saw it as an opportunity to finally donate when she came with a friend, a regular donor who signed up for the drive, who convinced her it was the right thing to do.

“I’ve never donated before so I was a bit nervous. I’m proud to do something good for the community by donating blood during a pandemic because it helps people in need,” she said.

Another highlight of the program was grocery distribution to 50 poor and low-income families from surrounding Puchong areas with the aim to help lessen their financial burden.

“The Covid-19 pandemic and ensuing recovery MCO have hit the livelihoods of many low-income families. Some have lost their jobs and many are struggling to make ends meet so we hope the provisions will help them tide over during this difficult period,” said Param.

Param, along with mentor/judge Melisha Lin, training partner Bkay Nair and contestants distributed groceries to the needy and underprivileged.

The sponsored provisions included, among others, items such as rice, sugar, cooking oil, flour, cream crackers, vermicelli and instant noodles for each family.

A recipient of the grocery parcel, G. Gunasekaran, 50, who is wheelchair-bound since his childhood polio, said, “I’m thankful for the food items which will help reduce our burden and make our lives better.” Gunasekaran has three school-going children aged 13, 11 and 10, and his wife sells nasi lemak to support the family.