- management@smallchangesmy.org
Ngembak Blaja! Sarawak – Leadership Luminary
by Amiera Batrisyia & Fadhrullah Hakim
For the first time ever, Small Changes landed in The Land of the Hornbills!
Ngembak Blaja! was developed and planned over a year by Small Changes, was born from the glowing embers of success from their pilot project in Sabah, built on the Positive Youth Development framework, proved that when young people are empowered with purpose, magic happens. The framework, which centers on the 5Cs—Character, Competence, Connection, Caring, and Confidence—became the heartbeat of the program.
“After witnessing the incredible transformation in Sabah, we knew we couldn’t stop there,” said Atikah Hamid, Small Changes advisor and one of the driving forces behind the Ngembak Blaja! project. “Education should never be a privilege defined by where you’re born—it’s a mission we all share.”
For Sarawakian volunteers like Amiera Batrisyia and Melvin Jangga, the program was more than just an initiative. “It was our way of giving back to the community that raised us,” they shared.
With Ngembak Blaja!, Small Changes crafted an unforgettable camp experience tailored to the needs and dreams of underserved youths. But this wasn’t your average classroom. It was a living, breathing space of growth, where lessons came wrapped in laughter, courage, and conversation.
Each part of the program was meticulously designed around the 5Cs. The leadership module pushed participants beyond their comfort zones with public speaking challenges and team-based missions, nurturing Confidence and Competence. Meanwhile, Character and Caring emerged in community engagement sessions and nightly reflections, where youth explored empathy, values, and social responsibility. Connection—perhaps the most felt of all—grew in spontaneous moments: shared meals, late-night chats, and the gentle trust that forms when young hearts find safe spaces.
Erin Sofia, our Module Director explained, “We weren’t just teaching skills. We were building a community where youth could see their potential, hear their voices echoed, and understand they belong.”
A movement, not a moment.
The success of the Ngembak Blaja! program in empowering underserved students in Kuching districts ensured the program reached those who could benefit most, Small Changes partnered with the local education office in Kuching. Students were carefully selected from two secondary schools: SMK Paku and SMK Bako among them. The focus? Form 4 students from a variety of backgrounds who demonstrated both promise and potential. The selection process emphasized inclusivity—looking for students active in co-curricular life and representing a blend of high-achievers and those still finding their footing. It wasn’t just about grades. It was about giving a platform to future leaders from underserved communities.
Each module was curated with care to align with the camp’s dual focus: leadership and communication, especially in English. The activities weren’t abstract—they were grounded in real growth. One standout example was Trust the Trail, an outdoor challenge where students had to collaborate, listen actively, and problem-solve together. “Two-way communication was essential,” said Erin. “It pushed them to speak up, listen closely, and support one another.”
Each facilitator, affectionately called faci, was paired with a small group of participants for the duration of the program. They became a steady presence—checking in each morning, encouraging shy students to step forward, and offering heartfelt insights during group reflections. Their job wasn’t just to deliver a module. It was to build a bridge of trust.
Facis were specially trained to notice the quiet ones—the students who lingered on the edges, hesitant to speak. With patience and warmth, they’d draw them out, not with pressure, but with presence.
“One of our facilitators told me she noticed a girl who didn’t speak for the first day and a half,” Erin shared. “By the third night, she was leading a group chant. That’s the power of a safe space.”
The camp was filled with scheduled sessions—modules on leadership, communication, teamwork. But the real growth often happened in the margins: during late-night heart-to-hearts, spontaneous dance-offs, or quiet walks to the dining hall. It happened when a student felt seen, not as a name on a list, but as a person full of potential.
Navigating the Road to Impact: Behind the Scenes of Ngembak Blaja!
While the smiles, laughter, and breakthroughs at Ngembak Blaja! painted a picture of seamless success, the journey behind the scenes told a different story—endless determination, late nights meetings, and a team that refused to give up.
Bringing together 65 students and 17 volunteers from across Sarawak was no small feat. The Ngembak Blaja! camp—was an ambitious effort. But like any project worth pursuing, it came with its share of growing pains.
“Logistics were definitely our biggest mountain,” admitted Nik Najwa, our Operation Director. “Coordinating travel, accommodation, and meals was like chess.”
From buses to bunk beds and lunchboxes, every detail had to be fine-tuned. Making sure students from schools like SMK Paku and SMK Bako arrived on time—and got home safely—required clockwork coordination and constant communication. Even weather threw its own challenges into the mix, forcing the team to pivot on a few outdoor modules.
Measuring More Than Numbers
Beyond the logistics, another challenge lay in the less visible realm: impact measurement. For a program that aims to inspire change, evaluating success isn’t as easy as counting attendance.
“We knew we were making a difference—but how could we be sure it went beyond surface-level feedback?” said Erin Sofia, our Module Director.
Initial evaluations were done in groups, but that posed an issue: peer influence. “Some students might have just gone along with what others said,” Erin explained. “It wasn’t until we conducted individual evaluations that we really began to see the depth of impact—stories of newfound confidence, leadership, and connection.”
Igniting Confidence and Charting Leadership Paths for Sarawakian Youth
The feedback poured in—and it was nothing short of heartwarming. Students said they felt “braver”, “seen”, and “hopeful.” Some even said it was the first time they felt truly heard.
Teachers noticed something, too. “Students returned to school more engaged and motivated,” one teacher shared. “They weren’t just more confident—they were different.”
An unexpected yet inspiring outcome was the surge in students’ passion for community service and leadership roles within their schools, with some even initiating their own projects inspired by the camp’s teachings. This “ripple effect” underscores the program’s profound success in not only nurturing essential skills and boosting confidence but also in igniting a lasting sense of purpose and civic engagement in the young participants of Sarawak, effectively embodying the mission of the Small Changes initiative.
Cultivating Safe Spaces, Developing Role Models, and Empowering Future Borneo Leaders—More to Come
The camp didn’t just give students activities—it gave them belonging. When youth felt heard, respected, and free to express themselves without judgment, they flourished. Shy students spoke up. Quiet leaders emerged. Laughter flowed.
From daily reflection circles to quiet check-ins with facilitators, creating a warm, respectful environment turned out to be one of the camp’s strongest foundations.
Aiman Zakaria, the Project Director, emphasized the importance of fostering a secure and encouraging atmosphere. “One of the biggest lessons was the importance of creating a supportive and emotionally safe environment,” and “Another key takeaway was the huge value of relatable role models—facilitators who had walked similar paths helped students envision greater possibilities for themselves,” Aiman Zakaria added.
Looking at the program’s components, Aiman Zakaria identified several standout successes. “The leadership modules, interactive English activities, and trust-building exercises were standout successes,” Aiman Zakaria noted. Activities like “One Block at A Time” and “Trust the Trail” were particularly well-received, providing hands-on opportunities for students to develop collaboration and resilience. For future iterations, the team has pinpointed areas for refinement. Improved pre-camp briefing materials for both students and parents are planned to ensure a smoother onboarding process. Additionally, the expansion of post-camp support, including virtual check-ins and continued mentorship, is being considered to sustain the positive momentum generated during the camp.
What’s Next?
The Ngembak Blaja! team learned what every meaningful project discovers: success is not the absence of obstacles, but the ability to rise above them.
Every misstep became a lesson. Every challenge is a catalyst. And every logistical scramble, a reminder that when purpose drives the process, the result is always worth it. Because behind every cheerful group photo was a dedicated team navigating hurdles not just with efficiency—but with heart.
As the sticker-filled mahjong papers are folded and stored, and surveys filed away, one thing remains clear: Ngembak Blaja! was more than a program. It was a launchpad.
Because when youth feel empowered, they don’t just grow—they lead. And thanks to Small Changes, a short 3 Day 2 Night camp in Sarawak just might be the start of something big.
Special thank you to the core team, Najwa, Aiman and Erin for your unwavering commitment, compassion and charisma for this camp.
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
