Humans of SC – Ain Fatihah

Written by Ain Fatihah

Edited by Meor Danish

Hello, lovelies! My name is Nur Ain Fatihah, a 22-year-old Kedahan currently staying in Perak. I am a 2nd-year Bachelor in Oil and Gas Engineering student. I first participated in the Seeds of Deeds (SOD) empowerment camp as a beneficiary back in 2016. Now, I am a committee member and video editor at Small Changes Malaysia.

My journey with Small Changes started when my homeroom teacher forced me to join SOD. To be honest, I was not a fan of motivational camps as most of the camps that I joined previously had the same cliché activities conducted in an environment that was filled with shouting, scolding, and unnecessary punishments like “ketuk-ketampi” for students who came late. Punishments like these robbed us of our confidence and made us feel insecure, which was a clear deviation from the camps’ goal of motivating others. Thus, upon hearing about SOD, my first thought was, “Will it be a bummer? Will it be another hellish experience?”

However, what followed was the complete opposite. All the sweat, tears, and laughter throughout the 3-day educational camp evoked an indescribable feeling in me. SOD was completely different from any other camp I had attended. It was an empowerment camp that used English as the main medium of communication and aimed to tackle the issue of education inequality. The modules that were delivered during the camp not only strengthened our knowledge but also helped us to discover and refine our talents. They moulded us into more holistic people that were capable of tackling the new, demanding millennial era.

When the camp first started, we were all very shy and mostly kept to ourselves. However, the “Tepuk-tepuk Support” and “Tepuk-tepuk Good Job” chants worked wonders for our confidence. We began to speak in front of groups and encouraged our friends as they overcame long-standing fears and anxieties. It was truly heartwarming to witness our confidence levels skyrocketing during such a short period. Speaking as one of the beneficiaries, we couldn’t have done it without the help of the devoted and motivated facilitators who were eager to share their journeys with us. Their energy and positivity inspired us to keep on learning, dream big, and most importantly, keep on loving ourselves. 

We ended the camp feeling encouraged and hopeful, and were filled with new knowledge and values. It also sparked a desire in us to be part of the movement in eradicating education inequality in the nation and making a difference, one small change at a time. 

When COVID-19 hit Malaysia, it was heartbreaking to see students struggling and getting beaten down with no motivation to pull through. Their desperate need for support and empowerment reminded me of Small Changes and I felt the need to give back to the ones who encouraged and inspired me. Browsing through Small Changes’ Instagram page led me to a post on an extended 21/22 Committee Recruitment. I seized the opportunity immediately and applied to be a committee member. The application process went smoothly and it was exciting to be interviewed by the lovely Vice President of Strategic Planning and friendly Human Resources Officers. 

A few days after the interview session, I was over the moon upon receiving an offer letter to work as a video editor. The job scopes include editing videos and liaising with the corresponding person in charge of certain events and projects. I was also honoured to receive an offer from the Project Director of  SC Belajar to be part of their team. 

SC Belajar is a pilot programme focusing on creating after-school development programmes for Malaysian youth. We emphasise the knowledge and skills that we think are important for our youth to explore but are not necessarily taught in schools. For this term, we created three videos – “Spot A Scam”, “The Great Escape”, and “It’s Okay Not To Be Okay”. I was in charge of creating animation videos for “The Great Escape” and “It’s Okay Not To Be Okay”. All the video animations have been released on our official YouTube channel “Small Changes” on the 8th of October 2022. Do give them a watch! 

SC Belajar also collaborated with Seeds of Deeds (SOD) and produced some of the modules that were implemented during the camps this year. Seeing the beneficiaries utilise the module that I had a part in creating was a truly wonderful experience. 

At Small Changes, I’ve met inspiring and motivated people from many walks of life, and we’ve worked together to make a difference in our society with sheer will and determination. We shed blood, sweat, and tears together to ensure that we could give our beneficiaries the best. This year was also unlike any other as we successfully completed a staggering number of four projects – “Aspire To Inspire”, “Project Beanstalk”, “Seeds of Deeds” and “SC Belajar”. The memories I created with the team will forever be etched in my heart. Overall, it was truly a remarkable experience for me to be a part of the committee and the beneficiaries’ journeys. 

Last but not least, to our beloved reader, it’s not too late to take this opportunity to embark on a journey with us. SC is a safe space for everyone. I have no regrets about being part of the Small Changes family and am filled with gratitude for being able to experience this amazing experience firsthand. I believe that I would look back on these moments in the future and feel so glad that I chose to be part of Small Changes. So, dear reader, stop hesitating and send in your applications to be part of this community now!

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