Skilling up: Ng (fifth from right) with the other participants during a macramé workshop in Taipei.
EFFECTING positive change in society might seem like a grandiose idea to some.But for Laetitia Anwen Ng, it simply takes sheer willpower to turn that idea into reality.
At just 20 years old, the Keningau Vocational College (KVC) student in Sabah has participated in a variety of community service initiatives, such as blood donation drives and tree plantings, as well as spearheaded youth leadership camps and crowdfunding projects to assist cancer patients and low-income households.
She accomplished all these through her involvement with the Leo and Lions Clubs from 2017 to 2021, even serving as the founding president of the Leo Club of Koningau Centennial.
Now a Leo-Lion member of the Lions Club of Keningau Downtown, Ng said these experiences have deepened her commitment to making a positive impact and addressing the needs of the Keningau community.
“Being involved in community service is important to me because it allows me to contribute to creating a better future and environment for everyone.
“I am also deeply grateful for everything I have in my life, and this gratitude motivates me to give back.
“Additionally, seeing the positive impact on the people I help continues to motivate me. Witnessing their gratitude and knowing that even small acts of kindness can improve someone’s life inspire me to stay committed to volunteering and strive to do more,” she told StarEdu.
Her acts of service have not gone unnoticed, as she was recently selected by the Education Ministry to represent Malaysia at the 2024 APEC Forum on Women and Youth Empowerment in Taipei, Taiwan.
The event, held from Nov 13 to 15 in 2024, brought together 80 youth delegates from 17 economies for various activities, including dialogues, workshops, presentations, and a field trip to visit non-profit organisations and sustainable initiatives.
The forum aimed to elevate the role of women and youth in driving innovation and impactful changes in entrepreneurship, sustainable education, and interdisciplinary skill development by incorporating the latest technology and sustainable practices.
Ng was chosen as a representative for her contributions to youth volunteering, as well as her active participation in internationalisation programmes involving visitors from other countries to Malaysia, according to a press release from KVC.
Ng, who attended the event with KVC lecturer Sydney Engelbert, said the forum motivated her to continue contributing meaningfully to the community.
“I felt truly honoured as I did not expect to be chosen.
“The forum inspired me to think more creatively about solutions that balance business growth and environmental responsibility.
“I also discovered some amazing programmes aimed at empowering women’s businesses, highlighting the importance of providing resources and support to help women thrive in entrepreneurship,” she said.
A cosmetology student, Ng plans to launch her own social enterprise, where she can use her skills as a beautician to benefit the community.
Since community service projects require financial resources that are not always available, Ng and her fellow club members have had to employ funding strategies, such as organising donation drives and charity events, as well as reaching out to sponsors or partners who share their mission.
“I look forward to meeting and collaborating with like-minded individuals who share the same vision of creating meaningful change. Together, I believe we can accomplish even more and inspire others to get involved as well,” she said.
She also aims to create more opportunities for the youth to participate in meaningful projects that address community needs.
“By encouraging more people, especially the young, to get involved, I believe we can create a ripple of positive change within communities.”
To students and youths aspiring to make a social impact, Ng offered this advice: “Grab every opportunity that comes your way, as each one can offer valuable experiences and lessons.
“Don’t be afraid to fail, as failure is often a stepping stone to learning and growth. It is important to keep moving forward despite setbacks.”
She added that by participating in established non-governmental organisations, such as the Leo and Lions Clubs, the youth can receive better support for carrying out volunteering initiatives.
Hao Yan, 17, a student in Selangor, is a participant of the BRATs Young Journalist Programme run by The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) team.
For updates on the BRATs programme, go to facebook.com/niebrats.
