Curtin Malaysia’s ‘Bake and Give’ initiative spreads warmth and kindness to local homes

Miri, Sarawak – 8 September 2025 – In a moving display of community spirit and compassion, volunteers from Curtin University Malaysia’s Faculty of Business recently brought smiles and freshly baked warmth to residents of the Miri Methodist Children’s Home and the Miri Home for the Aged through their heartfelt ‘Bake and Give’ initiative.

Organised in partnership with CPA Australia, Bite Bliss Bakery, and the Malaysian Red Crescent (MRC) Miri Branch, and supported by T4 Boulevard Miri, the event blended culinary care with social responsibility. The goal was simple but powerful: to uplift lives through freshly baked bread, shared time, and genuine human connection.

Students, lecturers, alumni, and professional representatives rolled up their sleeves to knead, bake, and pack loaves of bread – each one a small gesture of kindness made with love. These fresh bakes, paired with beverages, were personally delivered to the two charitable homes, where volunteers spent time engaging with residents and sharing moments of joy.

“This was more than just a baking session,” said Yip Ka Yii, the Faculty of Business’ Associate Dean of External Engagement and the project lead. “It was about giving something heartfelt – our time, our effort, our presence – to those who often go unnoticed. The smiles we received in return were priceless. It reminded us how powerful even small acts of kindness can be.”

The initiative also reinforced Curtin Malaysia’s commitment to holistic education and social impact, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. By working across academic, corporate, and community lines, the project underscored how collaborative service can lead to meaningful change.

 Professor Pauline Ho, Dean of the Faculty of Business, highlighted the educational value of the experience. “At Curtin Malaysia, we believe that real learning happens both inside and outside the classroom. Initiatives like Bake and Give teach our students empathy, leadership, and the power of working together for a greater good. We are incredibly thankful to our partners who helped make this possible.”

Though simple in nature, the project delivered an important message: that compassion does not need to be grand to be impactful. A loaf of bread, a friendly conversation, a shared moment – these are the threads that weave a stronger, kinder community.

With this initiative, Curtin Malaysia hopes to inspire others to take small steps that lead to big differences, and to keep the spirit of giving alive—one act of kindness at a time.

For more information on Curtin Malaysia, visit curtin.edu.my or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, or TikTok.

Volunteers from Curtin Malaysia share a joyful moment with children at the Miri Methodist Children’s Home.

Residents of Miri Home for the Aged join hands with volunteers in a cheerful group photo, celebrating kindness across generations.

Freshly baked bread is carefully packed by a Curtin volunteer, ready to be delivered as part of the Bake and Give Initiative.