Vision for sharing

Wong Sze Zen is abeauty with a heart anda vision for the world.

FORMER Miss Malaysia/World Wong Sze Zen is no stranger to international exposure; apart from representing the country in the Miss World pageant in Sanya, China, in 2003, she was a model and she also dabbled in acting. It was her work with World Vision, however, that opened her eyes to the world around her.

Having been a World Vision Malaysia Ambassador previously, Wong has now left her glamorous life behind to work full-time with World Vision International Singapore in donor relations.

Former Miss Malaysia/World Wong Sze Zen visiting Chokchai, her sponsored child in Praiburng, Thailand.

“Doing this feels like I’m fulfilling a dream I didn’t know I had,” shared the 28-year-old, who was in town recently to attend the World Vision International Marketing Conference 2008.

“The best thing about my job now is that it’s about shared blessings, not just about how I can help the under-privileged. It’s about building a bridge that connects you to these children from all over the world. It’s also an amazing opportunity for me.”

Wong has always believed in realising her dreams and doesn’t let conventional schools of thought hinder her. “I realised that if you’re not doing something your heart wants to do, then no matter how wonderful your life may seem on the outside, you won’t really be happy. Working with World Vision was my passion – I just had to find the courage to do it!”

Wong is not one to shy away from dramatic changes. In 2006, she stunned those close to her when she decided to trade in her designer wear and high heels for suits and folders; she joined the marketing and communication department at fashion retailer F.J. Benjamin.

“Since winning the Miss Malaysia title, I have made lots of changes!” she laughed. “When I left modelling to join the corporate sector, many of my friends thought I was crazy. And then, when I recently left my job with F.J. Benjamin to join World Vision without even confirming a position there, people were again shocked. But I’ve thought long and hard about (making) every one of these changes.”

Wong’s relationship with World Vision first took root in 2005 when she became an ambassador for the relief, development and advocacy organisation. It was also then that she started sponsoring a child in Praiburng, Thailand as part of the organisation’s Child Sponsorship Programme. She even visited the boy she sponsored, Chokchai, when she was part of a donor group that travelled to interior Thailand.

“It was an experience like no other. I realised that I actually had a lifeline to a child living in a whole other world from mine,” said Wong.

Wong Sze Zen: ‘I’m fulfilling a dream I didn’tknow I had.’

Founded in the 1950s, World Vision current­ly handles about 5,000 projects around the world, serving poor children and families regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gen­der. Besides the Child Sponsorship Program­me, its other main fund-raising activities are the 30-Hour Famine and Gifts of Hope.

“Working with World Vision wasn’t just something that came with the Miss Malaysia title. My time as an ambassador helped me get to know the organisation’s vision and mission and ever since then, I’ve had a passion for the work they do,” she said. “I had been thinking of dedicating myself to something meaningful for quite a while. However, I really loved my then-job (with F.J. Benja­min), and could not find it in my heart to leave.

“Then recently, I attended World Vision’s One Life Revolution exhibition, which was about the HIV/AIDS epidemic and how it affects developing countries. The exhibition touched me so deeply that I knew I couldn’t wait any more. So I quit my corporate job earlier this year to seek a position with World Vision.”

She admitted that it was a little scary to resign without having another job in hand but she just prayed and went along with what was meant for her. She found herself working with World Vision International Singapore, where she handles communications with donors and sponsors.

“It took me a while to settle into my role but now I see that it’s perfect for me! I used to constantly grab people and go on and on about World Vision and the work it does; now, this is what I do for a living!” said Wong with a smile. “When I look at my life now, I really think that God has a great plan. Who would have thought that someone like me, who led a so-called frivolous life, could end up here?”

For Wong, working with World Vision is an opportunity to show the importance of pursuing one’s dreams, intimidating as they may seem.

“A lot of people are unhappy with their lives; that’s why they have the ‘Sunday-night syndrome’, where they don’t want to get back to work the next day.

“The message I want to share is that you really need to do what makes you happy. You have to ask yourself whether it’s worthwhile to maintain a lifestyle that looks so good on the outside but then, you’re unhappy inside,” she concluded.