Sayaka Yoshikawa shares how volunteering in Timor Leste, Cambodia allowed her to develop her abilities and life a balanced life.

“I was a normal girl who had no believe in self, helped the parents at home… But after studying in SOLS, I can speak English, can be a manager at province. Today I believe, if others can do, I also can do. SOLS changed my life.” (Excerpt from a volunteer’s speech during an International Exchange Program farewell party.)

Whenever we have a party for someone who is leaving for the next step in their journey of life, I get a feeling of contentment and at the same time feel very blessed to be part of the SOLS 24/7 team.

Saya (left) with some of her students in SOLS Cambodia

Almost everyone works to get a salary, and with the money they buy new phones, computers, go for holidays, etc. My salary is a bit different from theirs. Other than money, my biggest payment comes from seeing our students come up in their lives. I feel happy for them when their dreams come true.

Maybe I do not get thousands of dollars every month, but along with enough money to support myself; I get the priceless ‘earning’ of learning, happiness, experiences and support. This is equal to, or I personally believe, is worth so much more than a monetary reward. I am very happy with my balanced life here.

SOLS 24/7 is a school for all. Everybody here is learning and developing, regardless of being a student, or a volunteer.

For example, when I was based in East Timor, I was given an opportunity to run the school kitchen for more than 300 people. This meant managing and producing food three times a day, everyday! For a start, I did not have any skills in cooking and I did not know how to use firewood. This limitation was part of the reason why the opportunity was given to me, so I could develop myself.

When in the challenge, I did not say “I cannot do it,” but instead, “I don’t know how to do it”. So, I had to learn “how to”!

Two months later, I was able to drive the school van to the market every morning and managed food for the full-time students and teachers’ everyday. Running the kitchen was a detail, the most important thing I learnt was a principle: That is, we will be able to something we think we can’t, when we get guidance and practice.

I was also given another opportunity of heading the District Center Department in East Timor. This meant travelling all over the country to touch base with our local volunteers and conducting meetings or training. The local volunteers and I used to say that we would be holding our meetings in a different country one day! After some time, I left East Timor, and continued my learning as a volunteer in Cambodia. A few months later a new group of Exchange Program volunteers joined the SOLS 24/7 team from East Timor. They were the same ones I had spoken to in the district centers, we were now part of the same team in a different country. Our dreams had become reality!

Saya (bottom right) with the rest of the International Program team in Timor Leste

In SOLS 24/7, we sometimes talk about our future plans and dreams. The difference is, we work at it step-by-step to make it come true. This is because we always push ourselves towards the goal we have.

From building a whole school, complete with improved facilities by ourselves, continuing our own career while balancing a good life, even getting married and having children. Something which people think is impossible to balance, or is just a dream that we cannot achieve. I have seen opposite results in SOLS 24/7. We really did build beautiful school facilities for our new Phnom Penh training center, and there are many volunteers who have their own family life while they still improve themselves and their career. Today I can see that any dreams can be achieved when we put in great effort, and when we have great support.

 SOLS 24/7 is my school, my working place and my family. It is very hard for me to find one exact word to express it.

Heading the SOLS Timor Leste District Center managers monthly meeting

Since I graduated from my university in 2007, I have been in SOLS 24/7. I joined the SOLS 24/7 International Program. I got so much from the program – understanding of life, God, human potential, principles, education, training. The list can go on! I have lived, worked in different countries, with different people, and have been given different opportunities to develop myself. SOLS 24/7 changed my life. I would have been stuck in a normal working life routine if I did not come to study here.

Nowadays people do not look at me as a Japanese. When I go to a local market, some times people think I am a Cambodian. Actually I enjoy this. Cambodians, Timorese, Malaysians, all are my teammates and family members. And I really feel proud to be able to be one with them.

 “Make a difference in the life of others.”  

This quote is written on our school’s wall in Cambodia. By being here, actually my life has changed. While I am learning more, getting training from my teachers and the school, I also can share my experience with the junior volunteers and the students. I have seen it is possible to life a great life. I feel really blessed to have my life in SOLS 24/7.

 Quick Questions:

1. What did you study in university?

My major was International Economy. In my university days I especially studied about International Development. From that beginning I started to visit developing countries, and I discovered SOLS 24/7. 

2. Describe your family!

There are four of us in my family. I have my parents and a younger brother. 

Saya and her father in traditional Yukata in Japan

 3. How many years have you been in SOLS 24/7?

Hmm, it’s a bit complicated! I visited SOLS 24/7 Cambodia through a Japanese NGO work camp for two weeks in September 2003. After six months I returned to visit. Then I joined the SOLS 24/7 Cambodia student program for nine months in 2005. After graduating from university in 2007, I joined the SOLS 24/7 International Program. In total, I have been in SOLS 24/7 for more than 5 years.

4. Why did you join the SOLS 24/7 International Program?

I was able to get a job in Japan after my university studies. But I knew what I would get Japanese working life was not what I wanted. I was helped to see there is much more in our lives to achieve, not only working and earing money. It isn’t only about achieving survival, there has to be more to life. So I wanted to study about life, and the SOLS 24/7 International Program provided training on Life, Human potential, Universal Principles as well as full on-the-ground education of running an NGO, teaching, management, business principles. 

5. Could you share one fond memory from all your years in SOLS 24/7?

When we had 3000 part-time students in East Timor, everyday was like a festival. All of us were running around like crazy! It was so difficult to find my teammates when I wanted to discuss something with them, because there were too many people around. We slept late at night because we had meetings for the next day of classes. A volunteer even ran from the bathroom to open a new class with some shampoo on his head because an unexpected number of new students came and we needed to start a new class immediately…

We were so busy, but so happy. I believe we could run that period, because of our whole team’s love and unity. 

7.What advice do you have for people who are like you and are looking for something more in life?

There is one thing always in my mind, that I do not want to become 40 years old and wonder what I had done with my life. With about 80 years to live, what do we want to achieve? Earn money, become parents… what else?

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KUALA LUMPUR, March 1: No one should be deprived of education opportunities regardless of their social status.

Hong Leong Foundation Director, Quek Sue Yian

The words spoken by Hong Leong Foundation Director, Quek Sue Yian encapsulated the celebratory atmosphereat the Science of Life Studies 24/7 (SOLS 24/7) Youth Development Center launch in the capital, yesterday.

The Youth Development Center, supported by the Hong Leong Foundation, provides free academic, leadership and character building skills for youth. The training program also includes Department of Skills Development (JPK) certified Computer Systems Technician courses.

Attending the launch as guest of honour was JPK Director, Dr. Pang Chau Leong.

A memento from SOLS 24/7 to Dr. Pang.

“It is our (JPK’s) great pleasure to be part of such a meaningful function and cause,” he said when congratulating SOLS 24/7 on the efforts made to provide skills to Malaysian youth.

“JPK will always try to be an effective supporter and facilitator of SOLS 24/7’s skill training programs,” he said.

Newly awarded Personality of the Year 2012, SOLS 24/7 Founder and Director Madenjit Singh said many children from poor families did not get the support to achieve their potential.

“Education helps people achieve their full potential. In animals achieving their potential happens naturally. Children of rich parents get support and educational opportunities. However the poor do not get the same benefits,” he explained.

"Humans achieve their potential only through education.."- said Madenjit Singh.

Thanking everyone for the trust and belief they had in SOLS 24/7, he gave a brief of the training program that allowed students grasp knowledge and gain skills quickly and effectively.

Singh, fondly known as Big Teacher, was presented the award by Better Malaysia Foundation and Berjaya Founder Tan Sri Dato Seri Vincent Tan during Berjaya Founder’s Day last weekend.

Umashanker Balaraj, 26, graduated from the SOLS 24/7 training program in 2010 and joined the NGO as a Project Manager.

LCP Director, Datuk Lim Sue Beng. Provided the YDC premises rent free!

Not knowing how to string a sentence in English together before joining SOLS 24/7, he spoke to the audience on his experience as an International Exchange student to Timor Leste.

“I used to be involved in all kinds of bad activities when I was younger. I could not even organize my own house, with four family members. In SOLS 24/7, I had the opportunity to manage the school kitchen, serving more than 600 students and teachers, three times a day for six months,” he smiled.

The Hong Leong Foundation is the SOLS 24/7 Youth Development Center Premier Partner, and has long been committed to impacting on education and poverty, believing that prevention is better than cure.

The launch was also attended by various supporters and partners from the Berjaya Corporation, LCP group, MyKasih foundation, Microsoft, The Vijayaratnam Foundation, The Budimas Foundation, Tandemic (Tandem Fund), Social Enterprise Malaysia, Yayasan Chow Kit and others.

‘For more pictures, check out our facebook page

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Eighteen-year-old Neomi from Sabah, Malaysia, finished only Grade 5 because of financial problems. She worked as a sales assistant in a boutique to help her parents, both traditional craftspeople.

After several months of training at Science of Life Studies (SOLS) 24/7, Neomi now dreams of becoming a trainer herself and teaching underprivileged youths.

SOLS 24/7 is a nonprofit education program providing free two-year training and boarding to out-of-school youths or poor students who cannot afford higher education.

Guests from Microsoft in computer class

“We teach them information and communications technology (ICT), Office Suite, Internet, basic math and accounting skills, and English,” cofounder and international director Raj Ridvan Singh said.

Students are also taught leadership and character skills to be “life smart” and “spiritual smart.”

The Microsoft Asia Pacific regional team gave a tour of a SOLS 24/7 youth development center in Malaysia during the recent Accelerating Asia Pacific summit.

SOLS 24/7 is a beneficiary of the Microsoft-supported TechSoup Asia, which allows nonprofit organizations to ask for a wide range of software product donations, including operating system, Microsoft Office and server products.

Raj Ridvan Singh explains SOLS goals to the guests from Microsoft

Malaysian Madenjit Singh, a “certified lecturer of the mind sciences and a dedicated social worker,” founded SOLS 24/7 in Cambodia in 2000, together with his sons Dhinu Dhanveer and Raj.

SOLS 24/7 now has more than 60 community centers in six countries—Cambodia, Timor Leste, Malaysia, Laos, Japan and Singapore. It has become the largest provider of nonformal education in Cambodia.

“Wherever you go, they want education, especially if it’s cheap. So we fit in,” Raj said during the orientation.

The day-to-day operations of SOLS 24/7 were financed by their family business, Raj said. About 80,000 youths have been trained using the curriculum designed by Raj and his father.

Girls number in school is equal to boys

Raj said they made it a point that an equal number of boys and girls were accommodated.

“They improve our English, they teach us to be confident and overcome our shyness,” Neomi told the Inquirer.

The SOLS center in Malaysia is in a modest building with a multipurpose hall on one floor, separate lodgings for boys and girls, and a floor for the classrooms. The rooftop, complete with a stage for regular programs, serves as a venue for socials.

Recent visitors who toured the complex found one class practicing conversational English while another was playing a computer game, which honed their typing skills.

Students improving their typing skills

One room held refurbished desktop computers. SOLS has a computer program that accepts PC donations. They repair the computers and donate them to other charity organizations. A small percentage is sold at low prices in rural areas. SOLS Computers is a registered Microsoft refurbisher.

Raj said many students dropped out after their first year “because they can find jobs already with the skills they learned.”

It is one of the missions of SOLS to “establish urban networks that provide youths with the necessary support to gain employment or start their own business that will indirectly help rural economic systems.”

Nineteen-year-old Justin from Sarawak, Malaysia, is one of those who aspire to start a business after training at SOLS. With the ICT skills he gained, he plans to put up a computer repair business.

Some graduates have become trainers in other SOLS centers or other nonprofit organizations. With a training center in Sabah being planned, Neomi hopes to be a trainer in her community.

Raj said the cycle helped sustain the program. “Train students to be trainers, make them give back,” he said.

 Article source: Inquirer News

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Tan Sri Vincent Tan pledges RM 10 million for SOLS 24/7 English training projects.

KUALA LUMPUR, 25 Feb 2012: An award to honour and recognize people who have contributed greatly to the country was presented to SOLS 24/7 Founder, Madenjit Singh for his efforts in service to humanity.

The inaugural award was presented by Berjaya Group Founder Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Vincent Tan under the banner of the Better Malaysia Foundation, which he set up for charitable causes.

Tan Sri Vincent, who retired last week as Berjaya Group Chairman, has announced that he will now focus on charitable work.

Madenjit Singh with his sons getting Better Malaysia Foundation award from Tan Sri Vincent .

Inspired by Madenjit’s work in developing youth through education, he launched the RM 500,000 award as a way to begin his philanthropic focus, working with outstanding leaders in the field of service and human development.

Madenjit (fondly known as Big Teacher), and his sons, Teacher Raj Ridvan Singh and Counselor Dhinu Singh founded the NGO offering free education, life skills, character and leadership training to provide a better quality of life for underprivileged people everywhere.

With more than 80, 000 students impacted in six countries, namely Cambodia, Timor Leste, Malaysia, Laos, Japan and Thailand, Tan Sri Vincent was impressed in particular with the unique system of language training used by SOLS 24/7 trainers.

SOLS 24/7 has one of the fastest and most effective English language learning systems in the world.

Students with zero background in English are able to converse within six months or less of beginning the language training program.

In SOLS 24/7, Tan Sri Vincent has found an organization that shares his passion for education, and in particular the belief that the English language as a necessary skills for human development.

In his speech during Berjaya Founder’s Day, Tan Sri Vincent said he would give full support to any efforts to provide English proficiency to young Malaysians, as he believed this would greatly enhance their employment opportunities.

After visiting the SOLS 24/7 Youth Development Centre in Segambut, Kuala Lumpur earlier this year, Tan Sri Vincent was impressed at the ease and confidence in which students from all over Malaysia conversed in English.

(L-R) Berjaya Corporation CEO Dato' Robin Tan, Berjaya Corporation Founder, Tan Sri Vincent Tan & SOLS 24/7 Founder, Madenjit Singh

With great faith in the SOLS 24/7 Science of Language and English training systems, Tan Sri Vincent pledged RM 10 million over the next five years to SOLS 24/7 to build English language learning centres and training initiatives.

Madenjit said he fully supported Tan Sri Vincent’s vision to mobilize Malaysian youth and empower them through education to create a country that would become recognized internationally for its skilled workforce.

“Our Science of Language system helps not only teach and improve English, but also the students native language,” he said.

SOLS 24/7 Science of Language: Simple and effective.

“English is an important tool for employability and to connect with an increasingly globalized society, but we can’t forget our national language. Science of Language does not place English higher than Bahasa Malaysia,” explained Madenjit.

In his speech, Tan Sri Vincent mentioned his childhood, saying he managed to study up to Form 5 because his family could not afford to see him through to university.

He attributed his first big break into business due to his proficiency in the English language.

“If I had not been able to speak English, do you think MacDonald’s would have given me the franchise?” he had asked.

Citing Tan Sri’s example, Madenjit said the SOLS 24/7 team was planning a project to assist fresh graduates to get their first big break.

Realizing many fresh graduates struggled to find jobs because of lack of English proficiency and belief in self, he said SOLS 24/7 would provide a three-month comprehensive training program in English, leadership and character skills.

The training program would be offered free of charge to Malaysian youth, nationwide.

“With Tan Sri Vincent and the Better Malaysia Foundation’s support, the potential of Malaysian youth will be developed more and this will be reflected in the progress of our society and nation,” Madenjit said.

SOLS 24/7 is also featured in The Sundaily newspaper (Feb 27, 2012) : RM 600 million worth of shares and RM 11.6 million for charity.

Read press coverage from The News Straits Times (Feb 26, 2012) : For the love of education.

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Spearheaded by SOLS 24/7, rural and urban youth from Sabah and Sarawak will finally benefit from unique, holistic training programs thanks to the Berjaya Cares Foundation.

Berjaya Group Founder Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Vincent Tan presented the million ringgit cheque to SOLS 24/7 International Directors, Teacher Raj Ridvan Singh and Counselor Dhinu Singh at the Berjaya Founder’s Day event on Saturday.

The vision: An environmentally focused Youth Development Centre, in Sabah.

The SOLS 24/7 Sabah YDC is set to be the first fully environmentally focused ‘green’ school in the country.

Students at the SOLS 24/7 Sabah YDC will be trained in English, IT and ICT, Mathematics, Accounts, Job Employment and more.

“SOLS 24/7 will be exploring renewable energy efforts such as micro hydro, solar and biogas,” said Teacher Raj, adding that implementing such efforts would benefit the rural community and promote eco-tourism.

Micro hydro, which produces power from small streams and rivers, can be used to power machinery and generate electricity.

“Micro hydro is ideal for rural communities, it can replace kerosene, the use of fire wood, and can even help small businesses become sustainable,” Teacher Raj explained.

Meanwhile, biogas provides the added benefit of treating organic waste, production of energy, providing high quality fertilizer and contributes to a better farming community image.

Not only will SOLS 24/7 be encouraging a deeper awareness and responsibility for the environment in youth, but the YDC will also equip them with education and thinking skills.

“Once you give youth education, and the tool of effective communication, they will be able to become dynamic change makers in the community,” he said.

The SOLS 24/7 Borneo YDC project  also appeared in the New Straits Times (Feb 27, 2012): Preparing Youth With Life Skills- NST

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TechSoup provides high quality, legal software to NGOs for a nominal administrative fee. To date, it have served over 150,000 NGOs worldwide and saved the sector more than USD$2 Billion. SOLS 24/7 will translate program information into Malay and also contact NGOs directly by email and phone. Mike Yeaton, Vice President of TechSoup Asia says “SOLS 24/7 is a great organization transforming the lives of youth in Malaysia and throughout the region. We are excited about this new stage in our partnership, and about working together to help NGOs improve their operations through the effective use of technology.” Adds Raj Ridvan Singh, co-founder and International Director of SOLS 24/7: “We are thrilled to be collaborating with such a great organization and Non-profit ICT Enabler. We believe through TechSoup Asia now localized in Malaysia, many NGO’s and Non-profits can maximize their impact as they will now have access to the donated software and other resources.”

More information about Techsoup Asia you can get by presing this link.
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Science of Life Studies 24/7- GDI

Cambodia

November 2011

Newsletter

The latest update from our SOLS 24/7-GDI Cambodia team.

In this latest installment, read about:

1) The SOLS 24/7 Anniversary celebration (see more pictures here: SOLS 24/7-GDI Facebook Album

2) COPION Volunteers Camp

3) Province Managers Monthly Meeting

4) SOLS Training Centers expansion via the COPION project

5) New International Intern- France

6) Graduation Ceremony in the news post!

January 2012 Newsletter- Page 1

January 2012 Newsletter- Page 2

January 2012 Newsletter- Page 3

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SOLS 24/7 discusses English education programs in Malaysia with former Malaysian Prime Minister, YAB Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad and Tan Sri Vincent Tan.

5 Feb 2012, KUALA LUMPUR: The solution to improving the English proficiency of Malaysians has to be addressed from multiple approaches in order to reach the people.

This was just one of the issues discussed by Science of Life Studies 24/7 (SOLS 24/7) Directors Madenjit Singh, Raj Ridvan Singh and Dhinu Dhanveer Singh during their meeting with former Malaysian Prime Minister YAB Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad and Berjaya Corporation Berhad Chairman, Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Vincent Tan.

Presenting the SOLS 24/7 training programs and methodology to Tun Dr. Mahathir

During the hour and a half meeting, SOLS 24/7 Directors presented some of the training methodology and programs crafted from 27 years of research.

Tun Mahathir was impressed with the research and technology of the new English training program presented and mentioned that he would look into giving SOLS 24/7 a pilot in a private university he has influence in. He also suggested that SOLS 24/7 open a training centre in Kedah, for which he would place students.

Tan Sri Vincent, who organized the meeting, is a passionate advocate of English language education in Malaysia. His genuine desire to see Malaysians and the nation benefit from an effective English program extends to introducing it to the formal education system.

Tan Sri Vincent’s keen interest in promoting English proficiency in the country is evident through his involvement in theSun daily newspaper, which is provided free in the Klang Valley.

Through his support, SOLS 24/7 is currently in talks with theSun newspaper to create a comprehensive system of English training through a pull-out teaching format.

However, Tun Mahathir cautioned about the challenges that were sure to lie in the path to bringing the SOLS 24/7 programs to the formal education system.

Despite the challenges he mentioned, Tun Mahathir promised to give his support for the SOLS 24/7 English training program and consented to officiate and launch an event in relations to SOLS 24/7 English programs.

Reflecting after the meeting, SOLS 24/7 Chief founder, Madenjit Singh (Big Teacher) said he was tremendously empowered by the discussion.

“We are truly grateful to have the blessings and support of both Tun Mahathir and Tan Sri Vincent,” he said.

“Through their guidance, and by helping connect us to the appropriate people, we hope to get the opportunity to launch a pilot program to teach and prove the effectiveness of our English programs,” he continued.

Group picture

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Tim Spijker shares why SOLS 24/7 is the BEST learning school for young Social Entrepreneurs.

Hello world! I am Tim Spijker (25) from The Netherlands and I am in SOLS 24/7 because I want to make a difference in this world. Inspired by SOLS 24/7 during an earlier period as a volunteer (2009), I took the decision to come back (2011) to learn how to become a social entrepreneur. My goal is to start my own social projects in the future.

I have been in SOLS 24/7 for about 10 months divided over two periods. During this period I have been volunteering in Malaysia and Cambodia. I spent by far my longest time in Malaysia, a country which I feel in love with.

During my first period as a volunteer I was involved in the teaching department (English, Math, Sales & Marketing), initiated a fundraising project in my own network (to buy new furniture), and even in recruitment (promote internship program for students to universities).

Managing classes & monitoring student progress - Cambodia

I had a wonderful time as a volunteer. I really enjoyed teaching and mixing around with the students. To see the students progressing is a wonderful thing to see and gives a lot of fulfillment.

After working for a corporate in my home country for more than a year, I decided to give a completely different twist to my life. I applied to join the SOLS 24/7 International Program. Joining the SOLS 24/7 International Program is not a usual step that people take, especially not for a Masters graduate. Instead of working for a big multinational, earning a lot of money, living in a big house, and driving a nice sports car, I am currently in almost the opposite position. I am working in developing countries without any salary,  share a dorm with seven boys, and I had to give a lot of compromises to my privacy, luxury and comforts.

Am I insane? Maybe some would say yes, but I don’t think so. My goals are very ambitious and challenging and the road I am travelling is full of excitement and adventure.

The reason for joining the SOLS 24/7 International Program is because I strongly believe that SOLS 24/7 is the best learning school for young social entrepreneurs who want to learn all the ins and outs of this profession.

Discussing ongoing projects with Malaysian colleague

The International Program is customized to the student’s own interest and passion and has a very practical focus. For example, I am currently managing several projects in SOLS 24/7 Malaysia and I learn a lot by just doing it. As a Masters graduate it is interesting to compare this method of training in SOLS 24/7 with the approach of education by universities. Universities seem to be too much theory-driven and many professors think they can solve social problems by doing research in an ivory tower. SOLS 24/7 is very practical and operates on a grassroots level but at the same time we are all striving to be scientific in our actions.

To become a changemaker is not easy. It requires tremendous amount of effort, hard work, reflection, improvement of weaknesses and the development of new skills.

Teaching in Laos

A social entrepreneur needs to have the skills to initiate and manage projects; be a leader/example; guide and inspire youth; deal with partners, donors, and governments; generate income to make the projects self-sustainable, and much more.

By being put in many situations and having a lot of different responsibilities I am working on the development of these skills and get a lot of valuable experiences. I have the unique privilege to learn from two of the best teachers I could ever wish for: Big Teacher and Teacher Raj. With their mentoring, guidance and feedback, combined with my own efforts, I am in the process of becoming a more dynamic, bold, responsible, patient, flexible, humble, loving, caring and wiser human being.

 

 

 

Quick Questions:

1) SOLS 24/7: What is your definition of a  ’changemaker’?

Tim & Frank (extreme right) after fundraising and purchasing beds for Malaysian students.

Tim: I would define a changemaker as someone who addresses social problems and comes up with innovative and practical solutions with the goal to make a positive change in this world. There is a lot of suffering going on and each country – whether it is rich or poor – has its own social problems. Many people are aware of these problems and complain about it, but most just neglect it and live their life onward. Only a few unique persons with a great heart for humanity are attacking these problems by looking for solutions. These people are the real heroes in this world, the changemakers.

2) SOLS 24/7: What made you change your perception of life from the ‘rat race’ to social entrepreneurship?

Tim: My perspective on life changed drastically after my first period as a volunteer in SOLS 24/7. By working with students from a poor background, from broken families or with other disadvantages and by living under different

conditions, I realized that I am in a very favorable position compared to the vast majority in the world. I am young, high-educated, come from a wonderful family, had a fantastic youth, and was born in one of the most wealthiest countries in the world (Netherlands). I have all the tools to do GREAT things for humanity and to give something back to the world. I’m not interested to be part of the ‘rat race’. To be a successful businessperson and have a lot of money is one thing. To be a great human being who makes a difference in the lives of others is another thing, which brings much more fulfillment, happiness and meaning than any currency does.

3) SOLS 24/7: To learn is to change, and sometimes change can be difficult. What has been your biggest learning curve so far?

Tim: I wouldn’t say it is my biggest learning curve but one of my most recent ones is that I’m learning more about leadership and how to become a great leader. I wouldn’t consider myself as a natural born leader in terms of boldness and dynamism and therefore I’m working hard to become stronger in these areas. I am managing several projects which requires leadership and help me to develop these qualities.

4) SOLS 24/7:  What advice would you give someone who wanted to join the SOLS 24/7 International Program?

Dressing up for Deepavali in Malaysia!

Tim: The SOLS 24/7 International Program is a great program for young people who want to make a difference in the world and are willing to invest a lot of time and effort into this. This latter part should not be underestimated. To be outstanding and to make an impact is far from easy. Before changing the lives of others you have to invest in yourself. Upgrade your current skills, develop new skills, and being put in many different situations to gain a lot of field experience. If you don´t have a 9-5 attitude, are willing to put a tremendous amount of effort in your work and development and want to make a change, the SOLS 24/7 International Program is the best place to learn.

5) SOLS 24/7: Tell us what has been favourite moment in SOLS 24/7?

Tim: It is hardly possible for me to pick one specific favourite moment out of so many wonderful experiences. From having great in-depth discussions with the Founders to playing futsal with the students, and from eating raw chillies during a chilli contest to making myself ridiculous imitating a Bollywood dance. There are too many things to mention. However, all my favourite moments come back to one key element: the great love and unity among the team members, volunteers and students in SOLS 24/7.

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Education, Computers, Personal Development.

About 39, 462 Burmese refugees call Malaysia ‘home’ as of December, 2011. However, due to their refugee status many can’t access proper education and are forced to accept jobs with no securities and no rights.

UNHCR and SOLS 24/7 are offering Burmese refugees an opportunity to receive training that could change their lives:

A FREE and comprehensive training program, educating Burmese youth in academics and life skills.

Do you know Burmese organizations or know/ seen people who could benefit from this initiative? One small gesture of sharing could change their life!

We are seeking people like you to reach out to the ‘invisible’ people in our society. Make a pledge and share this information… if only with one person!

Click here for the PDF of SOLS 24/7′s ‘My Training Centre’ Brochure: UNHCR SOLS ‘My Training Centre’ Brochure

For more details, contact Project Manager, Jessy Francis: +6019- 6898442

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