FORWARD - Raise for children's education

THE PROBLEM

FORWARD project is a local project initiated by AIESEC in The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus (UNMC) which targets the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #4 – Quality Education. By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous people and children in vulnerable situations. FORWARD project aims to provide underprivileged communities and primary students around the vicinity of UNMC a better chance in exposing themselves to different kinds of knowledge such as basic knowledge in English as well as other general subjects.

The Problem

It is estimated that 125,000 Malaysian children are still out of school and do not have access to primary education. This figure does not include refugees, stateless and undocumented children. Of equal concern is the number of children, about 17,000, who did not continue into secondary education. The dropout rate is 16.7 percent for rural schools compared to 10.1 percent for urban schools. AIESEC in UNMC is located in Semenyih, Selangor. The population in Semenyih is more than 92,491 and consists of more than 6 villages in the region. Most of the villages are considered under underprivileged communities where many of the children do not have touchpoint to basic education. Hence, FORWARD project started up with developing the awareness and importance of education by any initiatives such as practical teaching and learning activities for the communities.

THE SOLUTION

FORWARD project consists of key activities for underprivileged communities and global volunteers to learn, experience and contribute changes to the society.

1)Incoming Preparation Seminar (IPS) – Provide brief introduction of 6 weeks' journey in Malaysia to the global volunteers.

2) Learning Partner – Trainings that provide knowledge of soft skills before starting the project.

3)Classes at Village – Educate children aged 5-12 of the general subjects (English, Mathematics & Science)

4)School Workshops – Provide primary students knowledge and skills that benefits them in their education journey.

5)Global Village – Platform for global volunteers to showcase their country’s cultures.

THE IMPACT

1) Underprivilege children has opportunities to be exposed to basic education.

- Few classes had been carried out at the village during project period and the children were taught basic English vocabulary and numbers by simple practices carried out by the global volunteers.

2) Primary students are more enlightened with extra knowledge.

- With the workshop contents and activities conducted by the volunteers, students could further understand from what they usually learn as well as develop some soft skills that might benefit them at the same time.

3) Experience of Global Volunteers.

- Throughout the journey of volunteering for the underprivileged communities in Malaysia, FORWARD project helps to develop the learning and experience of each and every volunteers.

Goal Breakdown

Goal 1 - School Workshops. Amount Needed: MYRRM1000

Goal 2 - Transportation of Volunteers. Amount Needed: MYRRM1000

Goal 3 - Project Materials. Amount Needed: MYRRM1000

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