The Best of Malaysian Youth Initiatives | Tay Yee Shien
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| Illustration by Evelyn @_picturesandpoems_. |
Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored article.
“If you see a problem in society, you can either complain on social media and do nothing about it, or you can think of an idea to solve that problem that you see!”
—MaskCare, a social enterprise by university students
It all started with Youth Leadership Academy, a programme that aims to equip aspiring young Malaysians with skills and coaching that will enable them to become successful leaders of change. This year, they organized the annual funding competition, where funds are provided for youths to do various social work. Many fresh initiatives were established, and here are some to name a few:
1. Bajet Bento
First on the list is Bajet Bento, with their motto, “Every box counts!” They empower the needy by helping them achieve financial security and uplift their lives through entrepreneurship and food. How do they do it? They deliver affordable, hearty, home-cooked meals prepared by underprivileged communities in Klang Valley. Opened three months ago, their best-selling buttermilk chicken sure looks heavenly!
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| Best-selling Buttermilk Chicken Source: Bajet Bento/Instagram |
“Ordered buttermilk chicken for the team and myself. Simple and delicious, suitable for a quick noon lunch. The best thing is that it helps make a difference in another child’s life. A great way to feed yourself and someone else. Keep it up @bajet.bento!” wrote Mallory Loone, a TEDx speaker.
“Bajet Bento is formed through the collaboration of many youths who are responsible for different facets of the operations. Through this project, we realised that there are many youths who are eager to contribute to society but don’t know how. We hope to send a message that everyone can make a difference, so long as you take the first step,” said the Bajet Bento team.
You can support the underprivileged by purchasing a meal here.
2. Connect.ED
Next on the list is Connect.ED! This team strives to ensure that every child receives quality education.
“With all of us being fortunate enough to receive quality education amidst a rapidly digitalising world, we wanted to ensure that the next generation of Malaysians also have the same opportunity to learn and pursue their passions,” shared the Connect.ED team.
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| Source: Sedunia |
Connect.ED aims to provide B40 students with digital devices such as laptops for online learning through 3 ways: crowdfunding, crowdsourcing devices, and selling student-designed merchandise.
“The devices are donated to B40 students whose attitudes and potential are vouched for by our teacher partners from Teach For Malaysia (TFM) in SMK Pendamaran Jaya,” the team explained.
“Our proudest achievement was being able to collaborate with our B40 students to transform artwork into tangible consumer products, to digitise and incorporate art into student-designed tote bags for sale,” they added.
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Source: Connect.ED/ Instagram
When asked about the unexpected joy of working on this initiative, Connect.ED spoke about discovering their students’ stories, and how they are striving to achieve their dreams.
“On one hand, we work to empower our students to pursue quality education to fulfill their dreams and pursue their passions, thus our ‘Dream Digital’ initiative. On the other, we believe we can inspire our peers, students or youths, as they, too, have the power to help the less fortunate,” said the Connect.ED team. “We hope that they would be motivated to either start up their own social projects or lend us a helping hand in achieving our goals.”
Here are several ways you can help:
3. MaskCare
Last but not least, MaskCare is a social enterprise that aspires to provide environmentally-friendly, reusable face masks to all Malaysians. For each mask that you buy, MaskCare donates one to the underprivileged. They are also sewn by B40 mothers, thus providing them with additional income.
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3-PLY 100% Sustainable Masks
Source: MaskCare“The best reusable face mask that I’ve tried on so far! Super comfy and breathable. Amazing that it looks so good 😍 Huge plus is how this project helps various communities,” wrote a customer.
“We hope to send out the message that youth is not just about age,” said MaskCare. “It is about who we are, what we want to become, and what we want to do. It is about the ideas we have and our courage and determination to make it happen. MaskCare was founded by a group of young people—people who had an idea and just worked hard to make it happen.
“We hope that MaskCare is a testament that even if you are a young student, you can still start something from scratch and make an idea happen!” said the team.
You can support the community by buying and donating a mask here.
These youth initiatives prove that your only limit is your mind. They got to where they are today because they dared to dream and live out that dream. Nothing comes easy in life. Everyone has to choose between working hard to achieve their ambitions, or nothing at all.
On this National Youth Day, let us support our community by grabbing a meal from Bajet Bento or giving someone a nice tote bag from Connect.ED. You can also get yourself a sustainable mask from MaskCare and donate one to the underprivileged. If you’re inspired, you could even start your own initiative to serve your community today.
Once again, happy National Youth Day!
“Arise! Awake! And stop not until the goal is reached.”
—Swami Vivekananda
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