KUCHING: The youth advocacy event Say Yes 2024, spearheaded by Kids Speak and the School of Design and Arts at Swinburne University, successfully raised over RM83,000 in support of four local non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
The initiative aimed to highlight critical issues and promote youth engagement in social advocacy.
Held at Swinburne University, Say Yes 2024 brought together senior students from Kairos Youth, who presented to an audience of over 400 people.
The teens advocated for causes ranging from childhood illnesses and environmental conservation to animal welfare and food security.
The funds raised were evenly distributed among the four beneficiary NGOs: the Society for Critically Sick Children (S.O.S. Kids), Sarawak Eco Warriors, the Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA), and Kuching Food Aid (KFA).
Distinguished guests, including Swinburne University’s Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Ida Fatimawati Adi Badiozaman and Associate Professor Hugh Leong, were present.
Professor Ida highlighted the importance of youth-driven initiatives in addressing social issues, noting the significance of community support as Sarawak faces an aging demographic.
The event was generously backed by corporate sponsors and individual donors. IMetal and Sarawak Energy contributed RM10,000 or more as Gold Sponsors. Silver Sponsors, donating RM5,000 each, included Adeline Lee, Leung Chung Yan, and Moh Heng Company Sdn Bhd. Bronze Sponsors, who contributed RM2,000 or more, included Sanyan Wood Industries, Farley Mall, LCS Trading Co. Sdn Bhd, AHZA Engineering Sdn Bhd, Awana Kapital Sdn Bhd, Juruterakem Sdn Bhd, and EPR (Kuching) Sdn Bhd. In-kind support was also provided by Digital Microdeft (videography and photography), Lee Ming Press Sdn Bhd, Tealive, and Sweet Memory.
Kids Speak, an educational centre focused on cultivating effective communication skills among students, served as the driving force behind the event, empowering youth voices in their advocacy efforts.
The success of Say Yes 2024 underscores the growing impact of youth-led initiatives and highlights the dedication of Sarawak’s young advocates in building a supportive, sustainable community.
