Everyone can leave a lasting legacy. Individuals and organisations can be a catalyst for change in your communities, city, nation and beyond. As a result of our ground-up approach, we are deeply passionate about bridging the gap between organisation and communities so that greater social change can be realised. We facilitate legacy programs that are purposeful, powerful and have lasting measurable impact.
Leaving a lasting legacy in your lifetime and the beyond isn’t rocket science – but it takes intentionality. Whether you’re an organisation that is looking to create a positive impact or an individual who is looking for creative ways to give back, you’re in the right place.
Studies show that having a solid CSR can have a significant impact on reputation and brand; investor perception; the ability to attract and retain high-quality workers; community, media, and stakeholder relations; and ultimately your bottom line. It can increase the market value of a company up to 6%, increase long-term shareholder value by over a billion dollars, and reduce the employee turnover rate by a whopping 50% (“Project ROI”, IO Sustainability & Babson College)
Identify, Develop, Mentor and Empower Local Talent for Work and Life
Young women and men are invaluable assets that no country can afford to waste. They bring energy, talent and creativity to the world of work together with new skills, ideas and the motivation that enable companies to grow, innovate and prosper. But today’s youth face important challenges in the labour market.
Youth unemployment is a global problem. When youth don’t get the education and training they need to help them secure and keep a job, it affects future economic growth and development. If overlooked, youth unemployment can greatly impact the social landscape of a community, city and nation.
Graduate unemployment in 2017 was approximately 204,000, representing about 40 per cent of total unemployment in the country. At 13.5%, Sabah is the highest among all states in overall youth unemployment.
[Department of Statistics, Malaysia)
Native youth in Sabah are facing the looming problem of not being able to escape poverty or low wage cycle for a number of reasons including; mismatch expectations of the real working world, inadequate leaders or mentors to guide them, insufficient training in life and soft skills needed to secure and keep a full time job and lack of motivation and sense of purpose.
Our team is committed to help a specific group of youth who have transitioned from rural villages to cities to pursue their tertiary education and will eventually progress to young working professionals in the near future.
We have developed a unique model to identify, train, develop and mentor youth to ensure they enter into the working world ready and able to thrive. We also envision youth to be change makers in the spheres of influence they will one day step into.
Youth under this program will attend monthly training in essential soft skills, life skills and leadership development. Additionally, they will also be mentored one-on-one on a regular basis where their growth journey can be talked through and chartered with a trusted mentor. Youth are required to commit to a minimum of two years.
Additionally, we hope to bridge the gap between training and employment by supporting these youth in finding a job placement. We will continue to monitor the progress of each youth so that eventually, they will become alumni to the program and be able to train and mentor new participants who come on board.
Change happens when you step out of your comfort zone
Do our professional walls and geographical locations define us? It must not. Your skills and talents are needed outside your social circle. Everyone has something to offer. All it takes is a willingness to give and courage to step out.
04. Travel for Good: STORM
Established in 2014, Short Term Operation Relief Mission (STORM) has been life changing for over 200 volunteers who desired to give back but in returned, they received more! STORM is a partner-volunteering program with local organisations who has grassroots impact in communities. STORM will rock your boat, make you uncomfortable and stretch you in ways you would never imagine.
If you’re looking for an atypical experience that aims at creating a positive difference in rural and marginalised communities, then you’re at the right place. We are looking for volunteers who are willing and daring to experience life outside their comfort zone. Previously STORM was took place in Cambodia over a period of 2 years in the rural outskirts of Battambang where volunteers had a chance to immerse in rural living, teach English, run medical camps and build schools. Subsequently, STORM moved its base to Sabah, Malaysia where volunteers lived in rural areas teaching English and Mathematics, running youth programs and medical camps.
STORM is a structured volunteer program and what that means is that we match your skills and expertise with the needs on the ground. Volunteers who come on board have a chance to offer their skills and time while simultaneously learning about the world of community development through structured classes with our facilitators.
05. Mobilising for Missions
Faith-based organisations, particularly churches are not short of resources or manpower when it comes to doing good. In fact, they have all that they need to make a difference where they are positioned and even beyond to other nations. The challenge then is – “Where do I begin?”
Missions require a vision and strategic planning, otherwise it just becomes something that you do to feel good. Churches have the responsibility to steward their resources and individual callings well. Mobilizing for missions goes beyond church walls and the results can be far reaching. We have spent a number of years in the mission field, worked with NGOs, para-church organisations and local communities to learn what it takes to design a successful missions department (not just a project), empower and rally people to come on board, mobilise teams and measure the impact made.
If churches are serious about the Great Commission, they have to be serious about missions. They are one and the same, whether local or international. We are passionate and deeply invested in walking alongside church leaders to help them along this journey. Here are a few ideas of what we can do:
- Missions strategy, roadmap design and community mapping
- Train and develop your core team in Missions 101
- Impact indicators, monitoring and evaluation
- Communications and missions reporting
- Workshops for members on Missions (various topics)
Our STORM testimonials
Volunteering has taught me how to appreciate everything I am fortunate to have. Teaching English to Cambodian students showed me that communication has no barriers, it first begins swith a smile.
Amy Wong
It was challenging both physically and mentally, constructing classrooms and teaching. I thank STORM for giving us the opportunity to improve our skills.
Ng Wei Han
During my time there I realized the true value of many privileges we take for granted, especially running water. There were moments when the taps were dry and the kids would collect filtered water from the river into buckets for showering.