Malaysia Assistance Fund

When it comes to helping those in need, there's no better place to start than at home. The Malaysia Assistance Fund supports children and child-related development work in Malaysia.

Poverty and Progress in Malaysia

The incidence of absolute poverty (i.e. being unable to meet the basic needs of life) increased from 5.6% in 2019 to 8.4% in 20201

As of 2019, 20.7% of children under five suffer from stunting and 11.5% from wasting; 12.7% of children (5 to 19 years) are obese2

As of 2018, school dropout rate is recorded at 0.15% for primary education and 1.21% for secondary education3

Community Development Programmes in Sabah

For many years now, Sabah has remained the state with the highest poverty rate in the country. In 2020, the incidence of absolute poverty by state shows that Sabah recorded the highest percentage at 25.3%, an increase from 19.5% in 2019.4

 

In response to the needs in Sabah, World Vision Malaysia piloted its first Community Development Programme (CDP) in Mukim Tulid, Sabah in 2014. In 2017, a second CDP started in Mukim Tatalaan, Sabah.

 

In partnership with the local government and communities, both CDPs address major challenges faced by the local children and families, empowering them in the following ways:

Education

We promote improved education performance for children 12 years and below.

Working with Parent-Teacher Associations and the Education Department, we conduct workshops to equip and motivate parents to participate in their children’s learning. We organise Children’s Clubs with community volunteers (who are trained as Facilitators) to spark children’s interest in learning and allow them to develop life skills such as communication skills and good saving habit. 

Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH)

We promote improved WASH practices in the community.

We raise awareness on handwashing, hair washing and oral hygiene to effect behavioural change. The introduction of proper sanitation facilities i.e. toilets and clean water also improve the health of communities. Within each community, water committees are formed and equipped with knowledge to improve and maintain their own water facilities. 

Health & Nutrition

We promote improved nutritional practices for children 12 years and below.

We work with Community-based Organisations to build their capacity in raising awareness and improve overall health standards. We form Mothers’ Cooking Groups to train mothers of malnourished children on proper child feeding practices and nutritious food preparation. 

Livelihood

We promote improved economic resilience of the most vulnerable households.

We build the capacity of the most vulnerable households to produce marketable products via farmers’ groups or income-generating groups. We create awareness, strengthen knowledge and skills on local value chain to develop opportunities that will address livelihood issues.

Child Protection

We promote communities’ increased capacity for the protection of children.

Workshops on positive parenting, child rights, child protection and child participation are conducted for both children and adults to strengthen familial relationships. Together with local leaders, we find ways to strengthen the local child protection mechanism to establish an effective system for reporting issues of child abuse, violence and neglect.

Community Empowerment

We promote communities’ awareness and ownership in sustained child well-being. 

We identify community volunteers who are passionate about improving child well-being and equip them with knowledge and skills to facilitate workshops. They also assist in organising and encouraging the community to participate. Community leaders and volunteers are also equipped and mobilised to identify the most vulnerable households and provide support where needed. 

One Goal Malaysia - Eat Right to Play Right

In response to increased needs of urban poor children, One Goal Malaysia – an advocacy and awareness movement promoting nutrition for children through sports – is implementing its flagship programme Eat Right to Play Right (ERTPR).

 

ERTPR seeks to address the issue of malnutrition among children in urban poor communities through:

Donate to the Malaysia Assistance Fund

Help us provide for the needs of vulnerable children and communities in Malaysia.

Malaysia Assistance Fund (One-time, any amount)

RM 35.00

Malaysia Assistance Fund (Monthly)

RM 35.00 / Month

Sources:

1, 4 Department of Statistics Malaysia

2 UNICEF

3 Ministry of Education Malaysia

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In 2023, 83% of donations collected were used for programmes that benefit children, families and communities in need.
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