AYA Awards: Your pick for outstanding youth award

2009/10/25

David Yeow

It's time again to pick Malaysia's most outstanding youth. There were 71 nominations for the Asian Youth Ambassadors Awards this year and now it is down to the final four. These four finalists have proven that when it comes to overcoming the odds and building the future, age is only a number.

Ellynita Hazlina Lamin, 33

OVERCOMING an abusive childhood, Ellynita lived mostly for herself until the 2004 Tsunami struck. Touched by the plight of the victims in Aceh, she decided to do more than just donate money, she volunteered to help with the relief work.

"I thought to myself: 'Why don't I try to get some friends together and take with us as much supplies as possible. We would deliver them and help out there at the same time'."

She helped to decontaminate an area by removing the bodies of victims from ground zero.

In Malaysia soon after, she founded Azhaire Sdn Bhd, a company that funds entrepreneurship programmes to help elevate the living standards of the people in Aceh.

Just when her efforts were gaining momentum, Ellynita was diagnosed with nasal cancer.

Instead, of slowing down, she is using the uncertainty about her future as a reason to include more young people in her work, hoping that they will catch her passion for volunteerism.


Edana Lim Parina, 35

Growing up in a broken family, she fell in with the wrong crowd during university, which led her to drug addiction.

Loaded with drugs and wallowing in depression for almost four years, Edana hit rock bottom. She found hope again after being was introduced to Christianity.

Edana, who dropped out from university, had dreamt of starting a boutique, despite having no experience and little resources.

"Many felt starting a boutique without any experience was a doomed venture. But I wanted to start a business where single mums could find work," said Edana, who grew up in a single-parent family.

Today, her boutique has four outlets in the Klang Valley. Each shop is mostly staffed by single mothers and women from troubled backgrounds.

"Deep down, we are all beautiful in our own way. We all have our strengths, some outside, some inside. My job is to help my staff and customers discover theirs."

Yeoh Chen Chow, 28

A FORMER government scholar and Ivy League graduate, Yeoh gave up chasing millions to work for JobStreet with a heart to help young people find employment.

"I used to work as a consultant, helping businesses make a profit so that they in turn can charge their clients more. It just didn't feel right to me."

A big believer in the concept of "pay it forward", Yeoh believes that more than just repaying his study loan, he needs to help others succeed in their studies.

After work, he runs free education clinics to advise students on how to apply for scholarships.

Today, he is a sought-after expert on scholarships and university applications.

Yeoh also started www.ReCom.org, a free online forum that encourages older students to share study tips and advice that will benefit younger students.

"I might not be part of high society like many of my batchmates, or own a car, but it's worth it. I know I'm making a difference."


Jecyrina Nagarajah, 27

BEAUTY pageant contestants always run on a philanthropy platform, but rarely commit to it when the competition is over.

After seeing the plight of autistic children during one of Miss Malaysia 2005's publicity functions, Jecyrina was moved to stay on.

"During the visit, I met a 10-year-old autistic girl. It was the first time I was meeting someone with autism. That was a life-changing moment for me. I felt compelled to do something."

Jecy left her comfortable job as an accounts executive to help full-time children with special needs.

But more than that, her new direction also meant saying goodbye to her childhood dream of living the runway life.

It's been three years since Jecy gave up her ambition and joined Malaysian Care.

She has dedicated her life towards educating children with special needs.

She is teaching them to cope and slowly integrate back into society.