Aziza (left) entertains a woman at the PDK centre in Miri.
MIRI: The newly established non-governmental organisation, Paint the World – Project Alpha Malaysia, aims to serve as a platform to promote and foster unity among the multi-racial society in the country by using youths as its medium.
The NGO, established four days ago (Dec 17), is the brainchild of 18-year-old Aziza Aznizan, who was moved by the idea of a similar project in Georgia to bring together youths to create unity and peace.
Aziza, when met here yesterday, said it was always her passion not only to help the less fortunate but also to bring change in society.
“I always had this passion and dream to do whatever I can to help make change in my community, society, and even around the globe.
“So, when I went to study at the United World College of the Atlantic in United Kingdom in August this year, I heard a lot about this Paint the World Project there and was motivated to open a similar organisation in Malaysia,” she said, adding that the first thing she did when she came back early this month for semester break was to gather a few friends and discuss the idea.
Paint The World is an organisation originally founded in Tbilisi, Georgia, where its members are mostly aged between 15 and 20.
Among activities they organised for members are visits to hospital and children’s homes.
Aziza said her friends and family were all supportive of the idea, and later she formed the organisation, which currently has 10 members.
As chairlady of the organisation, she said youths, or Generation Y, play a greater role today in bringing a difference to society.
“This project aims to unite Malaysian youths regardless of their ethnicity, race, religion, and socio-economic standing to create a peaceful and sustainable or Alpha generation,” she added.
As its first step, Aziza said she and seven others went to visit the Community-based Rehabilitation Centre (PDK) Piasau Camp here on Wednesday.
The members brought along with them gifts such as balloons, cookies, sweets, and cupcakes, baked by her elder sister, and distributed them to the children at the centre.
“It’s a very simple gesture, but in the long run, it will have a beneficial outcome,” she said.
She added that her organisation was currently active in recruiting more youths nationwide.
Aziza said by becoming members of the organisation, youths would be able to be involved more actively in charity works.
“We will be opening our branch soon in Kuching and Kuala Lumpur. On Jan 9 next year, we are inviting all youths here to go to Pustaka Miri at 3pm as we will be recruiting new members on that day.”
Aziza (standing left, back row) in a photocall with her friends and children at PDK Piasau Camp during their recent visit to the centre.