The air was filled with warmth, laughter, and the gentle wagging of tails as more than 80 guests, and over 12 dogs of different breeds, gathered for Paws and Pastries: A Tea of Hope, a student-led charity event that blended education, compassion, and community spirit in one heartwarming afternoon.
Held in support of PapanSouls, the event was entirely student-led and marked a proud moment for the School of Communication students of Quest International University (QIU).
From the moment guests arrived, the atmosphere was joyful. There were wagging tails, laughter, and the comforting aroma of delicious food.
But behind the cheerful setting was weeks of careful planning, coordination, and learning.
The event was part of a subject that introduces students to the art and science of Event Management, from research and planning to marketing, publicity, management, and evaluation.
“This course teaches students the many facets of event management: how to plan, coordinate, promote, and evaluate an event,” said Ms. Adeline Ong, Senior Lecturer at QIU.
“But beyond that, what truly matters is how they apply those skills to serve a purpose greater than themselves.
“Through this project, students learn empathy, teamwork, and social responsibility: qualities that no textbook can fully teach.”
The chosen beneficiary, PapanSouls, is a grassroots community group known for its tireless dedication to the welfare of stray dogs in Papan.
Volunteers from the group rescue, feed, and care for hundreds of dogs living near the landfill, while also advocating for neutering as a humane and sustainable solution to stray overpopulation.
During the event, several of PapanSouls’ rescued dogs, each with a unique story of survival, joined the guests.
Their gentle presence reminded everyone why compassion matters.
“We wanted this event to celebrate both learning and kindness,” said Chen Li Jie, the student who led in the organisation of the event.
“Working with PapanSouls opened our eyes to the challenges faced by animal rescuers.
“It’s easy to scroll past sad posts online, but when you meet the dogs and hear their stories, it changes you.
“We learned how even a small event like ours can help raise awareness and bring people together for a good cause.”
The event also featured a charity merchandise booth selling tote bags, table calendars and stickers, with all proceeds directed to PapanSouls’ fund.
“As educators, our role is to guide students not only to excel academically, but also to become responsible, empathetic individuals,” Adeline added.
“Through initiatives like this, they see how their creativity and effort can create awareness, spark dialogue, and make a real difference.”
By the end of the day, Paws and Pastries: A Tea of Hope had achieved more than it set out to do.
It raised funds and awareness for PapanSouls, strengthened community bonds, and gave students the invaluable experience of seeing their classroom lessons turn into a real, meaningful event.
One guest attendee shared that the event was a commendable student initiative and expressed hope to see more meaningful activities like this in the future.
As the last guests and furry friends departed, one could sense the quiet satisfaction that lingered, the kind that comes from learning something genuine, heartfelt, and lasting.
The event showed how a simple afternoon of tea and teamwork could spark awareness, empathy, and change: one paw at a time.
