Eliza: Whether it is picking up trash, feeding a stray or starting a small initiative, change begins with someone who cares enough to try.
HELPING others doesn’t just change the world; it changes us too.
That is what I experienced firsthand as a student volunteer, handing out food to rural families, cleaning rivers, and supporting the education of Orang Asli children.
I have come a long way since those childhood days of raising my hand to answer quiz questions.
Helping communities and protecting the environment has made me more confident, patient and grateful for what I have.
There are times when the journey feels lonely or tiring, but seeing the results keeps me going.
One of my most meaningful experiences took place at the Orang Asli settlement of Desa Temuan in Bukit Lanjan, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
There is a large green field, about the size of a football field, right at the village entrance.
When I first arrived, it broke my heart. The area was filled with litter, and the fence around it had collapsed. The children playing there didn’t seem to notice how messy it had become.
That was where I met Linda, a girl a year younger than me. I asked if she would like to help clean the field, and she quickly gathered six of her friends.
When I asked if they knew who had been littering, they exchanged awkward looks until Linda admitted that they were the ones.
I couldn’t help but laugh a little. Instead of scolding them, I smiled and said, “Then, let’s fix it together.”
That moment sparked something meaningful – the start of “Geng Gotong-Royong Hijau Desa Temuan”. We agreed to begin our mission the next day.
With help from my parents, I prepared gloves, garbage bags, drinks and snacks for everyone. It was just a small gesture, but it gave the children extra motivation to join.
When we started cleaning, more kids from the area came to see what was happening. A few minutes later, they asked to join too. Our small group quickly grew to 10 members, all laughing and working hard under the hot sun.
From then on, we made it a fortnightly activity. Soon, our effort caught the attention of the village head, Tok Batin, who invited us to his house.
We were nervous at first, but he smiled warmly and said, “You kids are doing a great job.”
His encouragement meant the world to us. My dad suggested asking him for a letter of support so we could involve more villagers, and Tok Batin agreed immediately.
With that letter, our group came up with a simple five-point plan:
1. Organise a fun fair and clean-up day with parents and villagers.
2. Put up “No Littering” signs around the area.
3. Encourage members to have waste bins at home, and provide them if needed.
4. Request more trash bins from the Petaling Jaya City Council for common littering spots.
5. Recognise and appreciate members or villagers who make an effort.
Our project is still ongoing, but it has already made a visible difference. The same kids who once littered are now the ones reminding others not to. They have become caretakers of their surroundings, inspiring their families and friends to take pride in the cleanliness of their village.
It might seem like a small project, but it has had a big impact – for me, for them, and for the environment.
The field looks cleaner and brighter now, and even the stray cats and dogs are safer without sharp litter or plastic waste lying around.
Every little act matters. Whether it is picking up trash, feeding a stray or starting a small initiative, change begins with someone who cares enough to try.
And for me, that is what volunteering is truly about.
Eliza, 15, a student in Selangor, is a participant of the BRATs Young Journalist Programme run by The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) team. For updates on the BRATs programme, go to facebook.com/niebrats.
With the theme of the article in mind, carry out the following english language activities.
1 Would you be interested in replicating eliza’s efforts in your own community? Why or why not? Write down how you would start the initiative. alternatively, plan a different community project of your own.
2 In pairs, role-play an interview. One student plays a volunteer, the other a curious reporter. Suggested questions: Why did you start volunteering? What is the most rewarding part? What challenges do you face? How would you encourage students to contribute to society?
The Star’s Newspaper-in- Education (Star-NiE) programme promotes English language learning in primary and secondary schools nationwide. For Star-NiE enquiries, email starnie@ thestar.com.my.
