- management@smallchangesmy.org
A Full Circle Moment: Atikah Hamid’s Journey Back to Where It All Began
by Rushdina Sofea
Sometimes, the most powerful stories start quietly.
On 27 February 2025, a group of volunteers walked through the gates of Jalan Empat Secondary School (JESS), known as SMK Jalan Empat in Bandar Baru Bangi. They weren’t students. They weren’t teachers. But they were there as changemakers.
Among them was Atikah Hamid, or as many in Small Changes lovingly call her, Tiks. This time, she wasn’t just visiting. She was leading. And not just leading any project. She was bringing PowerUp back to JESS, the very school she once walked through as a student. Now, she returns as the Project Director, ready to give back in a way that felt deeply personal.
It wasn’t just a school visit. It was a full-circle moment.
A New Chapter for PowerUp
This round of PowerUp was unlike any before. For the first time ever, Small Changes collaborated with Ipsos Sdn Bhd, one of our newest partners and sponsors for 2025.
With this collaboration came something beautiful. A double-layered impact. PowerUp didn’t just reach the students. It also reached the Ipsos volunteers, who were trained by the Small Changes team before they became facilitators. That meant we were not only empowering young minds at JESS, but also nurturing a new generation of volunteers to believe in education, in growth, and in giving back.
For Atikah Hamid, that dual mission was clear from the start.
“My main goal was to help Ipsos achieve their objectives while figuring out how to align Small Changes’ goals to create an impactful experience,” she shared.
The Heartwork Behind The Scenes
Getting ready for PowerUp was no easy task. As this was a pilot project with a new format, everything had to be built from the ground up. A lot of heart, strategy, and sleepless nights went into the preparation. The team organised 16 hours of Training of Trainers (ToT) sessions for the Ipsos volunteers. Every detail mattered, from the flow of the lessons, materials for the modules and even how the volunteers would connect with students if they were in their shoes.
“We also prepared detailed guidelines and reference materials to support the Ipsos volunteers, making sure they felt confident and well-prepared to facilitate the session effectively,” Atikah said.
Of course, it wasn’t always smooth sailing. There were moments of doubt, moments of stress, especially during the training period.
“Since it was a pilot project with a new structure and a different type of facilitators, we were concerned about how well they would understand and internalize the entire flow of the project. We manage this by investing more time into the ToT, breaking things down clearly, and staying flexible to adapt based on the volunteers’ needs,” she added.
And that flexibility made all the difference.
When Purpose Meets People
The magic of PowerUp has always been in its people.
This project brought together an amazing mix of the Small Changes team and the Ipsos volunteers. What made it special was how seamlessly everyone worked together. Different people, different backgrounds, but the same heart.
“Everyone brought their strengths to the table, and there was a strong sense of shared purpose throughout the project,” said Atikah.
And the students felt it too.
“Please come again.”
At the end of the day, it wasn’t the numbers or the schedule that made the most impact. It was what the students wrote in their notes.
One moment that stood out for Atikah was reading the students’ handwritten notes that were filled with reflections on what they had learned. Even though PowerUp was just a one-day event, the students were welcoming, supportive, and fully engaged. Their energy was real, their voices were heard, and their hearts were wide open.
Some of them even asked if PowerUp would return.
That simple question, please come again, was all the proof anyone needed that the project mattered. That it worked. That it left a mark.
And the answer?
Yes. PowerUp returned.
The Sequel: PowerUp Reinforced
Just three months later, on 29 and 30 May 2025, Small Changes brought PowerUp: Reinforced back to JESS. This time, the project focused on 160 prefects, students known not only for their intelligence and high literacy, but also their potential to become leaders within their school and beyond.
This continuation was a response to the students themselves. A promise fulfilled.
It’s beautiful to think that what started as a one-day project grew into something that kept giving, building, and empowering. And this time, with even more clarity, intention, and impact.
A Lesson That Lasts
Looking back, Atikah shared one simple but powerful lesson she’ll carry with her:
“Never take feedback lightly. Every comment, whether from beneficiaries, volunteers, or partners, holds valuable insight. Taking the time to really listen and respond thoughtfully can make all the difference in improving future runs.”
And maybe that’s the heart of PowerUp. Listening. Showing up. Giving it your all. Then doing it all again, because the people on the receiving end are invaluable.
“Never take feedback lightly. Every comment, whether from beneficiaries, volunteers, or partners, holds valuable insight. Taking the time to really listen and respond thoughtfully can make all the difference in improving future runs.”
More Than a Moment
PowerUp at JESS reminded us of something we often forget.
Change doesn’t need grand stages or fancy titles. Sometimes, it looks like a group of people sitting in a school hall, laughing, learning, and sharing stories.
Sometimes, it’s in the moment when a student looks up and thinks, “Maybe I can do this. Maybe I’m enough.”
Change didn’t shout that day.
It showed up, held space, and left quietly.
But its impact?
It’ll be felt long after we’re gone.
