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Roots of Resilience: Rooting for Growth for Youths Rooted in Ipoh
by Maira Athirah
“Every summer changes you — this time in Ipoh, it helped the Orang Asli Youths grow stronger.”
This year, we carried our mission to reach out to Orang Asli Youths into its second phase through Roots of Resilience. Following the pilot project, Spark The Flame in Gerik, Perak in 2024. The pilot was a turning point. It showed us what was possible when we reached out to indigenous communities and provided safe, empowering spaces for their voices to grow. Supported by QBE Foundation, which believed in the impact of our first attempt, we asked ourselves:
“What if we went even further?”
That question became the spark that carried us into this year’s programme, held in Ipoh, Perak.
Grounded to Grow
Roots of Resilience is grounded in the belief that true growth begins with strong foundations – with roots. For the Orang Asli students we worked with from SMK Ulu Kinta and SMK Tanjung Rambutan, those roots come from their cultural identity, inner strength, and community connections. Yet these roots often face storms: unequal access to education, social barriers, and limited opportunities.
Over three days, more than 40 students joined us at Ever Fresh Mushroom, Greenland in Ipoh, Perak. Our mission was not about “fixing” them, but about nurturing what was already there. By empowering these students with values, skills, and self-belief, we hoped to help them grow into confident and compassionate members of their communities.
Special thanks to our Operational Directors, Idham Zamsari and Puteri Nur Suraya, we were able to create a space filled with learning and self-discovery in the heart of Ipoh.
Fahim Ghafar, Project Director of Roots of Resilience, wanted a symbol of strength, resilience and growth to represent these students in the three days and two nights that they’d spend here. These students belonged to groups named Saka Tualang, Bakawali, Meranti, Resak — gifts of nature that reflected the qualities we hoped to nurture in every participant.
The modules that were carefully crafted by our Module Directors, Aufa Nabila and Mastura Anuar were designed to elevate and expand the students ability to grow on the ground they have been brought up in. The three pillars that we focused on were educational literacy, cultural relevance and environmental awareness.
Rooted in What They Already Know
Among the many modules carried out during the Roots of Resilience camp, one stood out in particular was “Kecek, Nulis, Baco & Dengar”, delivered by Aisyah and Kamilia, Facilitators of Roots of Resilience.
Unlike the more energetic sessions earlier in the day, this module combined the familiarity of a classroom with the intimacy of reflective and hands-on activities. It began with a simple task: students were asked to look for a leaf outside, paste it into their handbooks, and dedicate it to someone meaningful through a short note. What seemed at first like a playful scavenger hunt soon transformed into a tender exercise in gratitude.
One quiet boy from SMK Ulu Kinta, who had kept to himself throughout much of the camp. While others bustled about, he was writing intently. When encouraged to share, he revealed a heartfelt letter to his mother. With gentle prompting, he read it aloud.
“Kehadapan saya, Ibu. Daun ini mengingatkan saya, cara ibu sudah membesarkan saya.”
He was visibly nervous but in that moment, he became the voice that touched everyone’s heart.
This module reminded us of the power of small acts. What began with a leaf and a notebook blossomed into an expression of love and resilience, qualities at the very heart of what Roots of Resilience hopes to nurture. One powerful realization that stuck with us: resilience is not always about enduring hardship. Sometimes, it is about recognizing the roots of gratitude, and connection that already anchor us. All it takes is the right space and encouragement for those roots to be seen and celebrated.
When Nurtured, Sprouts Grow
The biggest transformation we witnessed was during the evening module “Teman Nok Dengo Suara Awok”, where students showcased their talents in front of their peers.
The session embodied the pillar of cultural relevance, weaving elements of tradition into a platform for self-expression. Through performances such as traditional Sabah dances and a historical reenactment of Mat Kilau, students were not only introduced to Malaysia’s diverse cultural heritage but also encouraged to step beyond their comfort zones. More than just a cultural showcase, it was a safe space for them to build confidence, embrace teamwork, and discover their own voices on stage.
Igniting Confidence and Charting Leadership Paths for Sarawakian Youth
The camp ended with a powerful moment. When the principal of SMK Ulu Kinta asked,
“Who wants to further their studies after SPM?”
A sea of hands shot up and the principal acknowledged that this is definitely an improvement from what she’s observed prior to Roots of Resilience. Many students even shared the paths they already hoped to pursue. In that instant, we knew one right seed had been planted in the last three days.
This spark was ignited by the module “Guane Pahni Yek?” (“Where to next?”), led by facilitators Shafiyah and Najla. Designed as a career fair, the session introduced students to diverse professions and opportunities they had never considered before. For many, it was the first time they could clearly imagine themselves holding a scroll and stepping into higher education.
Roots of Resilience showed us we should dare to dream bigger. By opening doors to new possibilities, we helped these students see a brighter future and gave them the confidence to believe it is within their reach.
Lessons in Resilience
Roots of Resilience is not just a project; it’s a philosophy. It carries the belief that strong roots can withstand any storm, and that resilience must be nurtured over time to bear fruit. For the Orang Asli youths, these roots are their foundation and for us the volunteers, this project became a reminder that we all share the responsibility of watering them.
