Section I:

1. Project Goals:

To provide quality education, specifically STEM-based education among B40 students, in an effort to address the education gap that exists between students from the lower and higher income groups. STEM-based education is integrated in this project as we believe that our hands-on learning modules with real-world applications will help to promote the development of a wide range of skills, including creativity and 21st-century skills thus equipping these students with knowledge and skill sets beyond the classroom.

2. Fund-raising support & Other external sponsorship:

1. Crowdfunding using Incitement platform

3. Collaboration:

With the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) MMU Student Branch.

• In the midst of the implementation of this project, we needed to address the risk of B40 students who do not have the convenience of electronic devices as it will complicate the learning process which is executed fully online. With this, we worked together with the IEEE MMU Student Branch, where we collected and repaired used electronic devices such as laptops, PCs and tablets so that they could be donated to selected students. As a result, they will gain access to online learning, not only during our program, but also in their future learning.

4. How did the project work?
   1. Project Flow Summary:
       
      1.  Received Grant from Khind Starfish Foundation
          
      2.  Raised RM740 from crowdfunding initiative done on Incitement platform
          
      3.  5 July

Setting up of We Share, We Care’s Instagram Account 

4. 12 July – 21 July
   Volunteer Recruitment

5.  22 July – 10 Sept
   Purchasing of Experiment Materials

6.  24 Oct – 31 Oct
   Workshop Training with Volunteers
    
7. 18 Sept 

Distribution of Promotion Flyers at PPR Seri Semarak

8.  26 Sept

Distribution of Goodie Bags and Experiment Kits for Science-focused module
 

9.  30 Sept
   Distribution of Electronic Devices to Selected B40 Students
    
10.  2 – 3 Oct
    Execution of STEM-based modules learning

2. Difficulties
   1. Insufficient number of committees to teach all 40 students.
   2. Volunteers lack proper communication skills to interact with the students.
   3. Difficulty in approaching parents and convincing them to register their children in the program.
   4. 77.5% of students were unable to attend 'Coding for Kids Module' because they joined using mobile phones.
   5. Some students needed guidance to use the devices and access the tools used for the program.
   6. The content of Coding for Kids Module is complex for primary school students.
   7. Additional sourcing of books and materials written in Malay as English materials would be unsuitable for the students, given their low English proficiency. 
   8. The students had unexpected internet connection problems and insufficient mobile data.
   9. Unable to register the students for certification programs in STEM.org.my

3. Language Barrier

Most of the students residing in PPR Seri Semarak are certainly not comfortable and not used to communicating in English. This is due to their upbringing and surrounding which are, in most cases, very much Malay-dominated. So, they would prefer conversing using the Malay language with their peers and families. Recognizing this, all our modules and learning sessions were conveyed in Malay to ensure that the students would be comfortable during the sessions and to ensure they understand completely. As most of our volunteers are much more familiar with communicating in English due to the requisite of using English in higher educational institutions, we did not see that as a challenge and trained them before the event day. As expected, they excellently delivered the modules in Malay which is proven in the sense that 78% of students record a high understanding of the science concepts learned.

4. People Benefiting from Our Project

The students from the B40 community who had joined our program will benefit in many ways, especially from the education aspect. Our Magic in Science module has not only educated the students on basic Science concepts but also allowed them to participate in hands-on experiments. These activities will further increase their interest in Science and encourage them to perform Science experiments independently. On the other hand, our Coding for Kids module has taught the students basic coding and processes of designing a game/ animation/ story. Now, students can instill the knowledge into designing a simple game, animation or story independently. 

5. Long-term Impact and Future

These STEM-related learning and skill sets we’ve provided them through our modules will prepare them for their future career growth. As we enter the new decade, STEM is more fundamental and important than it has ever been. STEM has never been more vital for an education that prepares students for professional employment rather than simply developing technical skills in the classroom. Hence, our efforts to enhance the students’ interest in Science and Information Technology can help develop these students into becoming people or employees with the skills needed to compete in today's complicated, high-demanding industry.

Another long-term impact on the students is that their intellectual curiosity will always be nurtured, helping them acquire new ways of asking questions and gain more understanding about the world.

(a)

How does or will your project contribute to happiness? Short-term? Long-term?

Coming from a community that is almost always underestimated in the eyes of society as the most underprivileged group of people, the B40 community’s lives from adults to teenagers are naturally impacted in many areas. Instantly, their lives are filled with various limitations as they come from a low-income group. To name a few, the adults struggle to make ends meet either for themselves or for their families. Even worse, the pandemic outbreak has certainly made it tougher on their financial as well. For those with families, the impacts are also felt by the children. Children and teenagers have little to no resources when it comes to strong Internet connectivity or electronic gadgets to assist them in both learning and daily use. On top of it all, they are forced to witness their peers and other students be easily equipped with better educational opportunities, comfortable learning space, sufficient money and resources to stable Internet connectivity, gadgets and daily necessities. The privilege that other students have can in fact develop an unsatisfied feeling among the B40 students as they find themselves longing and wanting for more. 

Looking at the short-term impact on the students who participated, this community outreach program served to fulfil the quality and digital education gap felt by them. Hence, being able to close this gap even for a little while with our program evokes happiness in the students. Not only because the participants were actively involved during our program and learned so much in a short span of time, but also because the program has allowed them the opportunity to feel what it’s like to be privileged with good education and learning process with nothing to worry about especially when it comes to resources. 

In the long run, this program is hoped to contribute to their happiness as now, after going through with our program, they realise that they too deserve the exact same quality education and learning opportunities just like their peers who come from financially-able backgrounds. This feeling will, in turn, make them see that they can be highly ambitious, as long as they set their minds to it. As we saw all the participants enjoying the program until the end, we instantly knew that this was not the end for them, but rather a start for future engagement and accomplishments in many different areas, especially when it comes to their future in education.

Has your project changed the way you think about the world? How has it changed you?

The We Share, We Care project has definitely opened our eyes to see the harsh reality students from the B40 have to face every day of their lives. We were committed and devoted to ensuring we deliver on giving them the opportunity of having quality education, so, we were very involved with the students and directly communicating with them – which was the best part of it all. We could see their enthusiasm in meeting new people and in the learning process. We could see their eagerness and willingness to execute and keep up with the learning materials, unlike other students their age, and most of all, we got to see just how much potential they had as an individual. 

Potential – the one thing that is always underestimated when it comes to students and people from the lower-income group. This experience with the students has changed the way we think about how the low expectations people generally have on these students just because of their background should be removed completely. Instead, the eagerness and potential that these students have are not to be wasted and should be developed by allowing them more educational opportunities. 

This project has changed and elevated our understanding not only towards the importance of education, especially to the B40 group who are limited to quality and digital education, but also on our mindsets and assumptions towards the people from the lower-income group. This project has become an obvious eye-opener that these students’ can indeed be shaped to reach their full potential, given that many parties are willing to equip them with the resources necessary to build them a brighter future. 

(b)

"My heart felt full as I was finally able to get a hands-on experience to give back to people. The joy and excitement on the students’ faces are the most memorable moment ever! Looking forward to another community outreach program.” 

Nurul Izzati Binti Norsapei

"The journey matters more than the destination, I get it now. It was a great learning opportunity for me, an entrance to start seeing differently.” 

Muhammad Rayyan Hakeem bin Irwan Nizam

"I never felt how powerful knowledge can be in strengthening relationships in the community until I participated in this project. The cooperation of the community to learn and help with one another changed my perception of the impact the campaigns brought in improving the education in this community.” 

Miza Farhana binti Mahadzir

“This program creates a platform to help out the people in need through many different ways which makes me realize just how much opportunity and avenues we all have to contribute to the society. It is truly rewarding to know that all the hard work spent behind the scenes actually pays off when you are able to give them an experience none like they’ve had before.”

Mohd Naufal Bin Mohd Zamri

"I have always wanted to help the community in any way and shape I can. The We Share. We Care project had provided me with the opportunity to contribute something and be a part of the ever-growing community. I am grateful for this experience as I gained irreplaceable skills that will carry with me throughout my career.” 

Ahmad Hariz Imran Bin Ahmad Azrir