- management@smallchangesmy.org
A Kaleidoscope of Change, Seeds of Deeds: I Through Us
by Hasniesha Alya & Fadhrullah Hakim
In a time when youth engagement and community development are more crucial than ever, the team behind Seeds of Deeds: I Through Us (SOD: ITU) is leading a powerful example of what dedicated volunteerism can achieve. This article explores the inspiring paths of Naim Mizhan, Project Director, and Farah Rahman, Operations Director from Seeds of Deeds: I Through Us (SOD: ITU), alongside the transformative experiences created by Module Directors, Athirah Raduwan and Wan Mohamad Fawwaz for young beneficiaries in Terengganu.
The Facilitator’s Lens: Crafting Early Insights
“Intentionality & selflessness walk hand in hand.”
Naim, as a facilitator for our flagship project Seeds of Deeds: The Pursuit of Happiness 2024, managed fundraising and module development while working directly with students. His most significant learning was the power of intentionality. He observed a strong emphasis on community-building, where productivity and welfare were prioritized equally. This culminated in a powerful realization: “This is what the world needs, and you are what the world needs.”
Farah’s experience as a volunteer for Project Beanstalk 2024 involved developing modules and tackling challenging individual fundraising. She learned the immense value of selflessness and believes that a dream team is made up of individuals who carry out their duties with integrity and support one another. A crucial insight she gained was: “We never assume our 100% is the same as others.
Creating Impactful Learning Experiences
In Kuala Terengganu, the Seeds of Deeds team embarked on a transformative journey long before the camp began. Guided by Athirah and Fawwaz, the team crafted engaging modules aimed at empowering 100 young beneficiaries over three exciting days. The heart of these modules rested on four essential pillars: individual empowerment, collective development, financial literacy, and digital literacy. These pillars resonated with the camp’s theme, highlighting the profound connection between personal growth and community support.
Fawwaz likened the modules to an apple tree, with roots symbolizing collective development, the trunk representing individual empowerment, and the apples as practical tools—like financial and digital literacy—that students could carry into their futures. He emphasized that designing these modules required a deep understanding of the students’ realities, ensuring challenges were meaningful and accessible.
The Pivot Point: Embracing Bigger Roles
“There is no right step and there is no right choice.”
The Learning Experience: Growth Through Connection
Both Naim and Farah acknowledged the support of committee members who believed in them. They recognized that there is no single ‘right step’ or ‘right choice,’ and with enough drive and curiosity, anyone can lead.
The camp built a learning experience centered on hands-on, student-centered activities. Through storytelling and engaging games, students explored their strengths and began to build their confidence. Senior facilitators Mursyida Dakroh (past committee in 2023) & Affan Othman (past committee in 2017) witnessed this remarkable transformation. Mursyida noted the shift from students’ initial quietness to emotional openness and heartfelt encouragement by the last day. Growth became a shared experience, enriching both students and facilitators alike.
Affan noticed a poignant moment when he worked with students who were initially too shy to raise their hands. From witnessing students hiding behind their friends and only able to raise their hands mid air, that gradual progress only reinforces that bravery often reveals itself in small, quiet steps. He observed facilitators who prioritized others’ needs with completely embodying “Them Before Us”.
Strategic Outlook: Shaping a Lasting Legacy
“Intentionality, selflessness and a shared vision for a better future.”
“Just have fun with it and enjoy the ride.” – That’s one thing Naim would like others to know when embarking on this journey.
“Self doubt would be the thief of your greatest potential.” – From one aspiring changemaker to another, Farah believes that our call for action has to be louder than our self doubts. Her most profound advice is to approach their work with selflessness; it is this quality that fuels the greatest potential within each individual.
For Athirah Raduwan and Wan Mohamad Fawwaz, developing camp modules for Seeds of Deeds: I Through Us was never about polished perfection, it was about relevance. “We didn’t work alone. Every idea went through the team,” Athirah shared, highlighting their collaborative and student-centered approach.
Fawwaz emphasized the importance of empathy in design, noting that “good modules mean little if students can’t relate to them.” One highlight was Pasar Malam Smol Cenjes, a financial literacy simulation where students ran mock businesses, facing real-world challenges like taxes and disaster scenarios. The hands-on module taught core financial skills while reinforcing the camp’s four key pillars.
As the camp concluded, the overarching message became clear: there is always something to learn, even when experiences feel like pure fun. Seeds of Deeds: I Through Us planted seeds of possibility that will continue to grow long after the camp ended, nurturing a spirit of growth and connection for years to come.
The collective wisdom of Naim, Farah, Fawwaz Athirah and and all the facilitators that help to realize this module underscores the transformative power of leadership and learning within Small Changes, driven by intentionality, selflessness, and a shared vision for a brighter future in education.
"Because Through Us, we learn."
About Axiata Foundation
As part of its mission, Axiata Foundation focuses on developing and nurturing young generations with critical skills to develop them into future digital leaders, under its Education Pillar. In addition, Axiata Foundation provides sustainable solutions to elevate quality of life for underserved and marginalised communities through its Community Investments pillar and aims to build a healthier planet through educating and collaborating with our youth under its Environment Pillar.
For more information about Axiata Foundation, visit: www.axiata-foundation.com
– This article has been edited by Amiera Batrisyia and Maira Athirah
