Teach For Malaysia

Last December, I had the opportunity to be part of and helped out with Teach For Malaysia. An independent, not-for-profit organisation, it aims to end education inequity by enlisting Malaysia's most promising future leaders in its mission.





I got to know about TFM from an old highschool friend, and after finding out more I became very interested in its cause. What is observed in Malaysia is that if you don't come from a good family background, you don't have an opportunity to attain good education.

It was a pleasant surprise and delight that I’ve met the co-founders before during my PwC internship days, Keeran and Dzameer. They welcomed me to join their management team for 2 weeks prior to its official launch. They are one of the nicest people I’ve met, one with big dreams and yet so down to earth.

Official launch was held on Christmas Eve, 2010! It's an amazing team really and I had so much fun working with the team. A few pictures now to share my moments with TFM:

YL, primary school friend, I @ TFM's Pre-Launch session, Hock Choon terrace

I haven’t seen that primary school friend in 11 years and what a coincidence that YL and him met in the states! Glad we remember each other somehow after all these years.

The DPM officially launching TFM @ Securities Commission
Dzam & Keeran on the stage too

Yayy organizer tag!

The amazing team

Us waiting outside SC to usher the DPM out :)

Post-launch party @ The Social, Bangsar

Those were good times shared and spent. Friendships were made, and am glad through this I got to know about my country’s education development a little more.

If you are passionate about teaching, about making a contribution to our country's development, about bringing our human capital to the next level, about the society in general.... Apply to be a TFM Fellow.

Teach For Malaysia Fellows will serve as full-time teachers for two years in high-need schools. 2 months training will be provided for prior to the placements, with guidance from the best professional coaches around.

Click here to find out more about TFM and apply to be a Teach for Malaysia Fellow. The second deadline’s 27^th June, 2011!

Make a difference. Be a Fellow in Teach for Malaysia’s first cohort.

One day, all children in Malaysia will have the opportunity to attain an excellent education.

P.S. Pics above (a few of them) courtesy of Chris.

this is for my mother

Today whilst sitting the train to work, I thought of the person that I am today. Of all my achievements thus far, and of all the good things that I have.

Of the qualities that I possess.

Who's behind it? Who seeks and gave me the best opportunities life can offer? The one who sent me to piano classes, guitar lessons. The one who urged me to join this mandarin public speaking class when I was 11. The one who accompanied me in all of my competitions. The one who registered for us OBS camps because it's a good exposure. The one who provided me badminton training. The one who sends us to personal development courses when we were young.

The one who whole-heartedly supported me and even urged me to do lasik when I was 19, because she's done it before 10 years ago and she knows it's worth doing in the long run. The one who got me my first and only designer bag, because she wanted me to remember these two values: to remember that my first designer item was from her, and to know that it's important to be financially independent and not depend on others.

The one who encouraged me strongly to pursue in my dreams, and aspire me to be the best I can be. I can still remember when I was 12, I wanted to be 'the world most famous singer'. (I was young and naive then). I wanted to submit this named article to my school's magazine. And she helped me craft out the big picture and idea of this essay.

The one who taught me the values of being kind-hearted, loving, generous. The one who taught me never to take advantage of others. The one who always puts all of us before herself. And most importantly, gratitude. To always be thankful for what we have.

All that I am today and all that I have, I attribute it to my mother.

They say behind every successful man, there's a woman behind it.

I say, behind the person that I am (successful or not, I am happy) - my mother is behind it.

Happy Mother's Day, my dearest mummy.

I love you.

happy sunday :)

Such a happy day today! But first, Happy Labour Day all. :) I truly appreciate the significance of Labour Day now that I've started working. And of course am very happy for the public holiday given tomorrow hehe.

First time today in months that I got up at noon, had a good home-cooked lunch (mee hun kuih), then had a family discussion on income tax. As of next year, I'd have to start filing my own income tax. Parents briefed us on how different forms etc are completed, the real works of taxes, how to make claims etc. It's an eye-opener as it's different from just studying it theoretically in university. It also feels good to know that by paying tax it marks the beginning of my career and income-earning adulthood.

Two things you can't escape from life: Death & Taxes. Indeed so true.

Went to Pavillion after to run some errands which can only be done there (else I wouldn't have gone all the way). I brought along a top to change as well. Initially I wasn't allowed to change it as it's past the accepted number of days and also I bought it at a different store, but end story is that I managed to exchange it! I've learned since young that it's good to ask for you want, but don't push it to an unreasonable extent. Try ask, and you might get it. But if you don't ask, you will not get it. And if you ask and not get, don't be disappointed.

Anyway, I'm so happy because I exchanged it for a working skirt!! My first ever. I've been meaning to get a working skirt and have been hunting for one since forever, but I just can't seem to fit in to any in any shop I walk into. :( I now truly believe that things will appear and come into place when the timing is right. Also I got a formal and comfortable working dress for only RM89. I'm ecstatic. :) 

Sent my Tiffany's to polish (they now charge even for first-time polish!!). Also polished my Pandora since it's so brown and tarnished aihs, due to me wearing it while playing sports. Mental note not to wear it to shower and play sports from now onwards.

If you look closely, the pendant's actually a graduation hat.

It's a graduation gift from one of  my closest girlfriends, and today's her birthday! A huge shout out to her: Happy Birthday my dear :) You're one of the most kind-hearted and patient girls around, and I'm so glad to have you in my life.

Picked an old picture of us, back in year 2007. Thought it's one of the sweetest :)

Hope you all had a good, well-rested Sunday!