Efforts from the heart: Serena (centre) and her sister Sofieya with staff at Thompson Hospital, where Sofieya helped to establish personalised healthcare services for autistic individuals.
PETALING JAYA: The youngest winner of the Star Golden Hearts Award (SGHA), Serena Zara Taufiq, continues to pour her heart and soul into the autism community.
Having completed her International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) in June, the 16-year-old used her break to raise funds for an NGO, the Hope Project, and a centre for special needs children, Hatching Centre.
“I have been helping individuals with autism who speak through their art by marketing their art-based products,” she said in an interview.
Impressively, since January, even while she was preparing for her exams, Serena managed to secure sales of up to RM30,000.
Her fundraising initiative started when she set up Serena’s Secret at the tender age of seven.
Her younger sister Sharleez Zara Taufiq, who is three years younger, is autistic, and caring for her pushed Serena to raise awareness about autism.
The initiative was to help autistic individuals earn a living by making handicraft products.
It began as a home-based project with autistic adolescents making trinkets and beaded accessories to sell at small pop-ups or school fairs.
“The initiative grew in size. I recruited more autistic adolescents to produce their own products, including artwork, to sell to raise funds and also provide them with wages.
“We will support them in marketing their products such as by selling them at bazaars,” Serena said.
According to Serena, more than 250 temporary job opportunities have been created and at least five individuals have gained permanent jobs at Serena’s Secret in the past nine years.
“Nine years down the road, the impact of my work has evidently gained momentum through public talks and engagements.
“More of my schoolmates are taking up social impact activities, namely raising awareness about autism or their own areas of passion to make an impact as well,” she said.
When she turns 17 next year, Serena hopes to register Serena’s Secret as a social enterprise.
She is currently applying to study A-levels in England and hopes to pursue a degree in neurodevelopment.
“I plan to extend Serena’s Secret internationally to the United Kingdom when I continue my studies there and bring Malaysia’s voice on autism to the global stage,” she said.
In the meantime, her twin sister Sofieya Zara Taufiq, will lead Serena’s Secret locally.
Inspired by Serena’s recognition under the SGHA, Sofieya has followed in her sister’s footsteps by establishing the first autism- friendly initiative at Thompson Hospital in April.
It is aimed at providing personalised healthcare services to autistic individuals such as support to alight from the car for treatment when they are feeling anxious.
“Our first autistic patient was overwhelmed and afraid of the hospital when he first came. But with our help, his initial look of distress turned into a look of relief,” Serena said.
She added that it was rewarding to see her sister’s initiative impact a family’s experience at the hospital for the better.
As a young champion for autism, age has been one of her biggest challenges, Serena said, though this does not limit her as she continues to push for bigger and more impactful work.
“Big plans have certain limitations, so we have to persevere in implementing larger-scale initiatives,” she said.
Being selected as one of the SGHA winners has also given her an additional boost.
“It has given me confidence that younger people can make just as big of an impact within the community.
“I truly believe that it has inspired so many other young individuals to advocate for issues they feel passionate about,” she added.
Running for the 10th year since 2015, the SGHA is an annual award by The Star that celebrates everyday Malaysians who make a positive impact on society while promoting unity among the people.
This year, the accolades will be presented to 10 winners with each to receive a cash award of RM15,000, on top of exclusive media publicity across Star Media Group’s various platforms to amplify their selfless efforts.
For more details, visit www.sgha.com.my
