SPM Family Day 2025

The Day We Became a Family Outside the Classroom

Rawang, 16 August 2025 – The MPH family of the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, traded lecture halls and assignments for a different kind of classroom in the lush greenery of Taman Eko Rimba Kanching, Rawang. Participants began arriving as early as 8.00 a.m., dressed in black T-shirts that carried this year’s theme, “Together in Health, United in Heart.” The atmosphere was lively and welcoming with cheerful greetings, warm smiles, and the sound of children running ahead, setting the tone for a memorable day. The distant waterfalls created a refreshing backdrop and reminded everyone that this was a family day meant for bonding, joy, and nature.

Breakfast to Start the Day

The day began as participants arrived from 8.00 a.m., dressed in matching black T-shirts that symbolised unity. Smiles, laughter, and greetings filled the air as families, students, and lecturers settled under the tents. A hearty breakfast of fried rice, traditional desserts, and warm drinks of coffee and teh tarik brought everyone together. Conversations flowed easily across tables, with children darting about while the adults reconnected.

Warming Up Together

Then came the first real burst of energy: a lively aerobic dance session. The forest clearing quickly turned into a fitness floor as music boomed and beats pumped through the speakers. Laughter mixed with the rhythm, and within minutes, everyone from children to lecturers was moving together. The warm-up was designed to be suitable for all ages, with simple steps that were easy to follow but enough to get everyone sweating and smiling. Kids hopped around enthusiastically, students moved in sync with big grins, and even lecturers swayed along to the music. It was less about perfect coordination and more about starting the day energised, pumped up, and full of good vibes.

Games That Brought Us Together

With bodies warmed up, the real fun began. Participants were divided into four colourful teams — Red, Blue, Green, and Yellow — and the forest echoed with cheers as the games kicked off. The classic Telephone Rosak sparked laughter as whispered words turned into hilarious nonsense. Soon after, players ducked and dodged in Bola Beracun, while children jumped with excitement in Lava Floor. The messy but beloved Comot-Comot game left faces and shirts dusted in flour, proof of fun that spared no one.

Energy peaked with Squid Game, testing both focus and strategy, before the crowd gathered for the ultimate highlight: Tarik Tali. The rope was thick, the ground uneven, but the spirit unshakable. Voices rang out across the park as teams gave their all. In the end, the Red Team claimed overall victory, but what mattered most was the togetherness of children pulling alongside adults, students cheering lecturers, and everyone giving their best.

Lunch and Shared Conversations

By midday, appetites were ready for another treat. Plates of steamed rice with chicken masak merah, accompanied by fresh fruits, vegetables, and desserts, were served under the cooling shade of the tents. The aroma of the food filled the air, inviting everyone to sit together and recharge after the high-energy games.

Families, lecturers, and students shared tables side by side, swapping stories about the morning’s activities and laughing over funny game moments. Some proudly recounted their victories, while others poked fun at their clumsy falls or flour-covered faces from Comot-Comot. The meal was simple, but its flavour and warmth perfectly reflected the essence of the day: it was not only about food, but about fellowship and creating memories together as one SPM family.

The Excitement of the Lucky Draw

As lunch wound down, anticipation began to build for the lucky draw, one of the most awaited highlights of the event. Numbers were clutched tightly in hands, with eyes eagerly fixed on the announcer. Each pause before a winner’s name was revealed stretched just long enough to make hearts race and draw playful cheers from the crowd. The range of prizes impressed everyone, from practical cookware and household hampers to shopping vouchers and the latest gadgets. Each new announcement drew applause and laughter, not just from the winners but from the whole audience who celebrated together.

The most coveted prizes — a sleek pair of AirPods and a set of hotel and buffet vouchers — sparked gasps of excitement, playful envy, and loud cheers. Even those who did not win could not hide their smiles, as the fun came from sharing the suspense and joy as a community. It was not the prizes themselves that mattered most, but the collective spirit of anticipation and celebration that brought everyone closer.

Reflections and Closing

As the afternoon sun softened, the committee and participants gathered at the waterfalls for a memorable group photo. Against the serene backdrop of nature, bright smiles and cheerful poses captured the strong bonds formed throughout the day. The photo was not just a keepsake but a symbol of the shared joy, teamwork, and unity that had filled every moment. The organising committee expressed heartfelt gratitude to all participants, acknowledging the commitment, support, and enthusiasm that made the day a resounding success. Special thanks were extended to the volunteers and facilitators who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure everything ran smoothly.

In the end, SPM Family Day 2025 was more than just a day of games, food, and prizes. It was a celebration of connection, trust, and unity beyond the classroom. It reminded the community that health and happiness are best nurtured together, and that the SPM family is strongest when it moves forward as one.

This write-up was prepared by Norliana Shuhada Binti Shakri, the Committee Secretary for SPM Department Family Day 2025.

More photos here.