Join us in Malaysia for an incredible life-changing experience! 

Malaysia is a Southeast Asian country known for its beaches, rainforests, and mix of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and European cultural influences. The capital, Kuala Lumpur, is home to the iconic Petronas Twin Towers. Malaysia is also home to 177,000 asylum seekers and refugees among its 31 million population.

There are over 30,000 Rohingya refugees registered with the UNHCR in Malaysia; however, it is expected that there are around 100,000 Rohingya refugees who still need to be registered within Malaysia. This means they have restricted access to many essential services, including education. Many refugee children have missed years of schooling, which greatly impacts their future and that of their families. This project seeks to educate Rohingya refugees by opening a school near the beneficiary families. 

Islamic Relief has been working since 2005, helping over 450,000 in Malaysia. This program is an Alternative Learning Centre for refugees, particularly Rohingyas. It focuses on providing education and life skills to Rohingya children ages 7 to 17.

Since 2018, Inspire held 5 cohorts in Malaysia, running educational and psychosocial support programs with orphans. 

Check out previous Inspire Program activities in Malaysia!

Volunteers will go on a 10-day journey engaging with the Rohingya and Malay communities to learn about their lives. The program will give an in-depth understanding of the challenges faced by the refugee communities and the importance of helping them get access to quality education that fosters their success.

Volunteers will run an educational camp for kids at a Refugee non-formal education Centre funded by Islamic Relief. The primary activities will include:

1. Activities focusing on team building and developing self-confidence

2. STEM-based activities to spark their creativity and develop 21st-century skills in a fun and engaging environment.

3. Educational visits and excursions with students to explore the local community 

4. Fun learning activities of various types and aims.

These activities aim to provide integrated psychosocial support to the children. Psychosocial programming is crucial for orphans and vulnerable children as it allows for a structured framework for emotional support and mental well-being, helping them navigate the challenges of loss, trauma, and instability. By addressing psychological and social needs, such programming fosters resilience, emotional growth, and a sense of belonging, essential for their overall development and integration into society. 

Volunteers will pack and distribute food items and hygiene boxes to refugee families and gain an in-depth understanding of the challenges faced by the refugee communities.

Furthermore, volunteers will get a chance to:

1. Visit local Islamic Relief projects in the area and interact with rights-holders to hear their stories.

2. Explore Malaysia’s culture, natural beauty, and history during their visits to the Petronas Twin Towers in KLCC, the gorgeous mosques of Putrajaya, and the hustle and bustle of Bukit Bintang, Malacca City, and other landmarks.

All accepted applicants are required to raise a minimum of CAD 3,500 each one month prior to their departure date. All the funds raised will be going towards Islamic Relief projects in Malaysia. Islamic Relief Canada will provide each volunteer with a fundraising session that includes tips on how to fundraise, how to engage your network, etc. Also, Islamic Relief Canada will set up an online fundraising page for each volunteer to raise funds for their project. 

Donations will be allocated towards the Inspire program components and contribute to ongoing, long-term projects in the region. None of the donations will go towards the personal costs of the volunteers.

The Inspire program aims to provide volunteers with a unique and eye-opening experience where they can immerse themselves in a completely different context than they are normally accustomed to. This program is an opportunity to give back to vulnerable communities overseas while learning and growing skills in an enriching environment. Participants will also be encouraged to continue volunteering with Islamic Relief Canada following the trip to continue their humanitarian efforts. 

Islamic Relief Canada will cover your stay in Malaysia, including accommodation, transportation, food, and scheduled sightseeing activities. Please note that flights are NOT included in this, thus, the volunteer is responsible for purchasing their flights to and from Malaysia and mandatory health insurance. 

Once accepted into the program, volunteers are required to complete a combination of mandatory virtual and online training sessions. There will be about 3-4 sessions in total, with an average duration of 2 hours each. The training will cover Fundraising, Team Building, Country Profile, Islamic Relief History, Field Safety and security, Activity Planning, Humanitarian Standards, and Passion Projects. The schedule will be released upon being accepted into the program. These training sessions are mandatory to attend.