Confident: Pamelya Xavier is now brave and not nervous at all.
PETALING JAYA: From a timid and shy child to a bold and brave student and player, the life of Pamelya Xavier has changed since she joined the Nicol David Organisation (NDO) three years ago.
The 10-year-old Pamelya is one of the many children from the B40 families, who have been part of the two-in-one study and squash “Little Legends’ programme started by eight-time champion Nicol and her co-partner Mariana De Reyes in 2022.
The chirpy lass now wants to be a champion like Datuk Nicol.
“I attend the NDO programme on Mondays and Wednesdays. It’s my happy session after school,” said Pamelya, who studies at the Ladang Bukit Jalil Tamil Primary School, in a NDO video filmed by Atlantic in Motion.
Pamelya is the pioneer NDO batch who began learning English and playing squash under Nicol and her team of coaches.
“My favourite time during this programme is playing squash. My forehand and backhand have improved. I like the English classes too, especially the singing sessions,” she said.
“I want to be a champion and make my father, mother and my coaches proud,” said Pamelya.
Nicol David giving a high five to Pamelya.
Her dad Xavier is just so happy to see the changes in his daughter.
“She was a lonely child, shy, and does not talk much. Now, she is brave and not nervous at all. I’m happy to see the change in her attitude,” he said.
“And like a sportsman, I see that she does not give up easily. Even when her exam marks are low, she assures me that she will get better, and will not give up easily. I’m just so grateful for this NDO programme for kids like Pamelya.”
Nicol is delighted to see the positive change in the lives of the young children.
“The past three years have been the most fulfilling and I have found more purpose giving back than I ever did competing professionally,” said the former world No. 1 Nicol.
“Seeing Pamelya being proud of herself and pushing herself to be better just makes everything we do in NDO worth it. My only goal is to continue to empower young talented Malaysians to dream big like I once did.”
The NDO was founded by Nicol and Mariana with the mission of empowering women, girls and boys through sport, education, mental health and community advancement with their two flagship programmes “Little Legends” for children and “Ibu Legends” for mothers.
Established in Kuala Lumpur, it currently serves 140 children from low to mid income families predominantly selected from public schools by providing squash training, English tutoring, life skill workshops, robotics and competitions.
They also attend to 30 mothers by providing mental health workshops, nutrition and physical education, 100% free medical check ups, financial education and entrepreneurship.
The goal is to expand both ‘Little Legends’ and ‘Ibu Legends’ across Malaysia and guarantee children enter university education, as well as mothers can improve their health and financial development for the family.
“We transform lives through the betterment of women, children and families by providing education and access to sports that will break the societal barriers of access to better opportunities,” added Nicol.
