RCE Greater Gombak - 2023

Sinar Chow Kids – A New Chapter in Educating the Stateless Children
Basic Information
Title of project : 
Sinar Chow Kids – A New Chapter in Educating the Stateless Children
Submitting RCE: 
RCE Greater Gombak
Contributing organization(s) : 
1.Students from Usrah in Action 2 Section 515
2.Arus Academy
3.Buku Jalanan Chow Kit (BJCK)
4.Stateless children in BJCK
Focal point(s) and affiliation(s)
Name: 
Dr. Al-Amirul Eimer bin Ramdzan Ali
Organizational Affiliation: 
International Islamic University Malaysia
E-mail: 
dral@iium.edu.my
Format of project: 
Community Awareness & Engagement, Capacity Building, Experiential Learning
Language of project: 
English and Malay
Date of submission:
Monday, September 4, 2023
Web link: 
Nil
Additional resources: 
Nil
Does this project link to any education and/or sustainable development policy or policies?: 
Yes
United Nations' Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (UNDESD)
At what level is the policy operating?: 
Local
Geographical & Education Information
Region: 
Asia-Pacific
Country: 
Malaysia
Location(s): 
Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
Address of focal point institution for project: 
International Islamic University Malaysia
Jalan Gombak, 53100
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Ecosystem(s):
Urban/Peri-urban
Target Audience:
Community, Higher, Primary, Youth (Informal)
Socioeconomic and environmental characteristics of the area : 
Chow Kit is an urban neighborhood in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, characterized by a blend of socioeconomic diversity and environmental challenges. The area is considered a red-light district and is associated with marginalized communities such as stateless children. This social prejudice compounds their vulnerable status, impeding their access to education and perpetuating inequalities. As a result, the area's socioeconomic landscape is associated with a complex interplay of marginalized communities and limited opportunities, emphasizing the necessity of projects like "Sinar Chow Kids - A New Chapter in Educating the Stateless Children" to empower and educate these children.
Description of sustainable development challenge(s) in the area the project addresses: 
SDG 4 - Quality Education: The project directly addresses the lack of educational opportunities for stateless children, providing them with a dedicated space for language learning and empowerment, thereby promoting quality education for marginalized communities.

SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities: By focusing on stateless children facing discrimination and limited access to education, the project works towards reducing inequalities and ensuring that all individuals have equal access to opportunities.

SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals: The collaboration between the project team, Buku Jalanan Chow Kit, Arus Academy, and other stakeholders exemplifies the spirit of partnerships and community engagement.
Contents
Status: 
Ongoing
Period: 
October, 2022
Rationale: 
The activities and policies outlined in "Sinar Chow Kids - A New Chapter in Educating the Stateless Children" are imperative to address the pressing need for equitable education and empowerment among stateless children in Chow Kit. These young individuals, often marginalized due to their residency in a stigmatized area, face profound educational barriers. The project's language garden and educational resources offer a lifeline, fostering language skills and knowledge acquisition. By imparting vital literacy skills, the project empowers these children in overcoming social prejudices, breaking free from the cycle of inequality, and taking upon opportunities that would otherwise be inaccessible. Furthermore, the project instills hope and confidence, enabling them to envision a future where their aspirations are attainable. Through this initiative, the project not only bridges educational gaps but also catalyses broader societal change by promoting inclusivity, nurturing talents, and contributing to a more sustainable and harmonious community.
Objectives: 
The objectives of "Sinar Chow Kids - A New Chapter in Educating the Stateless Children" are (i) to provide stateless children in Chow Kit with a dedicated and conducive space for language learning, fostering proficiency in Malay, English, and Arabic; and (ii) to empower these children through education, breaking down barriers to opportunities, and promoting inclusive growth. By nurturing language skills, the project seeks to enhance their self-confidence, communication abilities, and academic prospects, ultimately paving the way for a brighter and more equitable future.
Activities and/or practices employed: 
"Sinar Chow Kids - A New Chapter in Educating Stateless Children" consists of several impactful activities. It involves the provision of a vibrant language garden by renovating the underutilized room at Buku Jalanan Chow Kit. The room is adorned with colorful flashcards, informative posters, and reading materials in Malay, English, and Arabic. The project also facilitates the organization of language-related workshops and programs, by providing an engaging and conducive environment for stateless children to immerse themselves in language learning. These activities collectively empower the children with essential language skills, promoting their educational growth and overall development.
Size of academic audience: 
60
Results: 
The outcomes of "Sinar Chow Kids - A New Chapter in Educating Stateless Children" have been transformative. The once-underutilized room has evolved into a thriving language garden, providing stateless children with a dedicated space for learning and growth. The vibrant environment, enriched with educational resources, has ignited a passion for language acquisition. Children now exhibit enhanced language proficiency, improved communication, and increased self-confidence. This project has kindled a sense of empowerment among these marginalized youth, equipping them with essential tools to overcome societal barriers. The language garden that has been built for the beneficiaries isn’t just a space; it's the representation of the power of linguistic diversity. Upon checking with the caretakers and also the teachers, the students are now actively participating in several activities and competitions such as public speaking and choral speaking. We believe that, by nurturing language skills and fostering a love for learning, the project has created a ripple effect of positive change, amplifying their educational opportunities and paving the way for a more promising future.
Lessons learned: 
The project's success underscores the power of collaboration, community engagement, and resourcefulness. Teamwork among diverse stakeholders was pivotal in overcoming challenges. Adequate planning and adaptability played key roles in navigating obstacles. The lessons learnt highlight that even modest efforts can yield profound impact. It has reminded us of the power of teamwork, the importance of coming together as a community for our community. We also appreciated that inclusivity plays a vital role in ensuring the success of the project. For these children, feeling included can create a whole new world for them. Prior to our language room creation, we had discussions not just with the children, but also some stakeholders of BJCK such as the co-founder, teachers, caretakers, and parents of the children and this has resulted in the holistic creation of the language room.
Key messages: 
Empowering stateless children through education with 'Sinar Chow Kids - A New Chapter in Educating the Stateless Children.' We've transformed an underutilised room into a vibrant language garden to enhance stateless children's language skills and provide them with a conducive learning environment. Let's unite to ignite change and create a brighter path for these resilient young minds.
Relationship to other RCE activities: 
Nil
Funding: 
The project was self-funded by the students and the Instructor of Usrah in Action 2, Section 515 with minimal sponsorship received from the university and interested parties

Pictures:

File Name Caption for picture Photo Credit
Image icon WhatsApp Image 2023-08-31 at 8.40.47 PM.jpeg (51.27 KB) The making of Language Garden for our beloved BJCK Kids. A process and journey for the betterment of the education for the kids Students of Section 515, Usrah in Action 2
Image icon WhatsApp Image 2023-08-31 at 8.41.37 PM.jpeg (145.89 KB) We managed to put smile on the kids’ faces. To see them smiling and enjoying our language garden is one of our ultimate goals Students of Section 515, Usrah in Action 2
Image icon WhatsApp Image 2023-08-31 at 8.42.24 PM.jpeg (129.5 KB) The whole process wouldn’t be possible for without the participation of all these agents of change for sustainability Students of Section 515, Usrah in Action 2
References and reference materials: 
File Videos Sinar Chow Kids.docx
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
(https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs) and other themes of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
SDG 4 - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all 
Direct
SDG 10 - Reduce inequality within and among countries 
Direct
SDG 17 - Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development 
Direct
Theme
Traditional Knowledge  
Indirect
Curriculum Development 
Indirect
ESD for 2030-Priority Action Areas
Priority Action Area 2 - Transforming learning and training environments 
state: 
Direct
Priority Action Area 4 - Mobilizing youth 
state: 
Direct
Priority Action Area 5 - Accelerating sustainable solutions at local level 
state: 
Indirect
Update: 
No
I acknowledge the above: 
Yes