KUALA LUMPUR: Veteran volunteer Wong Su Zane, who has joined Life Line Association Malaysia to help others for more than 20 years, receives the International Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award from Lifeline International.

Wong is the only award recipient from Malaysia. The other four recipients are from Fiji, Taiwan, New Zealand and Sri Lanka.

John Brogden, president of Lifeline International, said this is the first time Lifeline International is presenting awards to recognise the contribution of volunteers across the world.

See Soon Eng, president of Life Line Association Malaysia, said Wong joined the association in 2000 to help others.

She is currently the assistant treasurer of Life Line Association Malaysia and head of the counselling unit. Wong is also a senior lecturer in social education and a game therapy volunteer.

For the past 23 years, Wong improved the volunteer training scheme on several occasions, monitored training and the system on managing crisis.

She is also active in extending counselling programmes and focus on increasing public awareness in sexual assault and domestic violence.

“This award is actually meant for all, including the committee members, volunteers, administrative staff and the association’s sponsors,” said Wong after receiving the award.

Wong thanked the support and recognition given to her that she spent more than 20 years to help others and continue to chart personal growth at the same time, she said.

See said Wong is a role model for the association and she deserved to be recognised.

“We will embark on more international collaboration programmes to exchange views with volunteers from other countries. We will be sharing years of our experiences with others too,” said See.

For more than 30 years, Life Line Association Malaysia, a non-religious non-governmental organisation, assists individuals by offering emotional support and counselling service free of charge. It has since helped more than 31,000 people during their difficult times.

Please visit Life Line Association Malaysia Facebook or official website for more information.