The Champions program in Sarawak empowers young people aged 18-30 to become agents of change, fostering social and economic improvements in their communities. Through various initiatives, including empowerment series and boot camps, the program enhances youth confidence, social connections, and personal growth while encouraging volunteerism and community contribution. Over its first six months, the program has successfully engaged youth and demonstrated significant positive impacts on their well-being and capabilities.

1. champions are made from something deep within
A DESIRE, A DREAM, A VISION
-Muhammad Ali

2. CHAMPIONS
IMPACT REPORT ‘11
TO ALL THE AWESOME YOUNG PEOPLE IN SARAWAK
YOU MADE THIS POSSIBLE

3. ABOUT THE CHAMPION
The Champions is an outreach effort to create Agents of
Change among young people whom will drive positive socio-
economy impact in communities and organizations thus
contributing to the nation’s growth.
The Champions are young people aged 18-30 whom;
• are Visionaries filled with Dreams, Hopes and
Aspirations, to drive social impact in their community;
• are Agents of Change; Purpose-Driven, Selfless and
Courageous;
• will be our Transformation Catalyst – giving back to the
Community, driving organization growth and leading WITH ONE VISION, CHAMPIONS ARE
VISIONARIES
the Nation.
The Champions is powered by the young people of Sarawak
through peer-to-peer influence and youth volunteerism
spirit. The programs in Champions are designed with a key
focus towards holistic youth development; building a
positive impact in the social and economy environment in
AGENTS OF CHANGE
the lives of the young people in Sarawak.
The team believes in youth, their confidence and their will
power to drive impacts.
TRANSFORMATION
CATALYST

4. ACHIEVED KEY OUTCOME
For the first time, youth in Sarawak are effectively engaged
from ground up to not only participate but to co-create
their social environment.
Champions gave young people the platform to build  Improved in
confidence; step out and step up to make things happen.
The Champions identified four elements that are relevant
Personal & Emotional Well-being
and important to the growth of the youth - community in The Champions create a sustainable support environment to
Sarawak. Education, Arts & Sports, Social Capital, Culture & facilitate young people’s growth. The Champions believes in
Unity. the will power of young people to drive impacts in the
community. Through various youth-led programs and
activities, youth learned from mentors and other young
peers on developing themselves. They became more
//EDUCATION resilient and optimistic, and improve their emotional health
and self-esteem.
//ARTS & SPORTS
//SOCIAL CAPITAL
 Improved in Social Well-being
//CULTURE & UNITY The Champions recognizes the desire of the youth who
wants to do something for the community. The drive and
eagerness to learn are the one thing that formulates
Champions. The Champions are encouraged to look beyond
From these four elements, The Champions has
themselves, and be selfless, always contributing back to the
implemented several programs that benefitted and
community. In the past 6months of The Champions
impacted the growth of the youth in Sarawak. The programs
programs, it is observed that the quality of youth
are entirely conceptualized and implemented by The
relationships improve, in particularly with their friends and
Champions whom are young people aged 18-24, from
community.
different background and education. END

5.  Enhance Connection with the
Social Community
The Champions encourages young people to appreciate the
environment surrounding them. We are what the
environment mold us to be. All Champions have their own
social cause that they champion i.e. Girl Empowerment,
Education, Sports, Arts Appreciation; Champions give back
to the community. Throughout the 6months, it is noticed
that their knowledge, awareness and appreciation towards
the social community improve.
 Increase in Enthusiasm and
Confidence in Learning
We believe in young people, their confidence and their
hunger to learn. All elements of Champions, are engineered
to help and assist young people to learn, relearn and
unlearn from their daily lives, mentors and peers.
Champions encourages young people to be brave, to love, to
dream, and to make things happen. Through leadership
roles, team building activities and program coordination;
the young’s attitude towards learning improved, became
more confident, and are more capable learners in life.
NO MATTER HOW TOUGH IT MAY BE;
WE CAN MAKE IT THROUGH, TOGETHER.

6. “The Champions changed my life to come
forward more boldly in front of many
people. Through the programs, it open my
mind on how we can all work together,
even if we came from different
background and we, as the young change
makers want to prove that we can change,
to become a better Champion in our lives!
I am more confident that I can lead after
attending the camp that provides very
valuable key lessons of life that no one
else can give it to me. I want to share this
experience to other people around me,
starting from my family, friends,
community and all the teenagers whom
are less motivated, less daring to show
their spirit…”
Zanna Lee Nelly, 19
Story of a champion

7. 2011 programs
EMPOWERMENT SERIES
Champions: Empowerment Series is a series of interactive
and inspiring sessions for the young hearts in Kuching,
Sarawak. The sessions focuses on notable entrepreneurs
and personalities to share their experiences,
accomplishments in work and personal lives.
More than 500 youth from the various campuses attended
the weekly series held in an unorthodox and chill-out set up
in Bing! Coffee.
SPECIAL TITLES IN 2011
• ARTS & ITS FLAIR
• JOURNALISM
• ENTREPRENEURSHIP
• FOOD & BEVERAGE
• HOSPITALITY
• HUMANITARIAN
• FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE
• YOUTH EMPOWERMENT

8. TESTIMONIALS
This is indeed a program that serves
well the community of young people
in Kuching, to inspire, to enlighten and
to launch.
-Maclean Patrick
Special Thanks to our Through such activities, business leaders can inspire youths
Inspiring Speakers through their experiences and encouragements and offer
• Ramsay Ong
• Charles Arthur
valuable advise at the same time gain an insight into the psyche
• Maclean Patrick of the younger generations.
• Georgette Tan -Donald Tan, Singgahsana Lodge Kuching
• Halfi Idris & Team
• Gracie Geikie
• Donald Tan
• Anna Wee
• Chris Junior
• Dicky Lee
• Jason Lo
• Jonathan Quek
• Bernard Hor

9. CHAMPIONS PERSEVERE. WE DO NOT GIVE UP

10. CHAMPIONS BOOTCAMP
Champions “BootCamp: Introductory Weekend” is a 3-day, 2
nights Youth Engagement and Volunteerism program which
gathers 120 youth influencers and leaders in Sarawak. It
was held on the 9-11 September 2011, at Yayasan Sarawak,
Jalan Sultan Tengah.
The theme of this BootCamp: Introductory Weekend is
“Empowering Selfless, Purpose-Driven & Courageous Youth”.
The objective of Champions Bootcamp is;
• to introduce an enabling youth-friendly environment of
The Champions to the youth;
• to empower youth on their roles towards the growth of
the socio-economy development in the state and the
nation and;
• how they could play a proactive role voluntarily in
ensuring a healthy and competitive state of economy in
Sarawak.
A platform to share, listen
and support youth in their
growth in personal &
emotional wellbeing

11. WE ARE COURAGEOUS,
RELENTLESS, AND
SELFFLESS. WE DREAM,
WE LEARN AND WE
PERSEVERE
“THERE’S A CHAMPION
WITHIN ALL OF US”

12. “Champions inspire me to be more
confident when communicating with other
people in English.
Before this, I was always cautious when
speaking in English, afraid of judgments and
criticism from other people. But after
joining this camp; I think it doesn’t matter
whether it is English; as long as you have
the confidence, you can make it.
Throughout the journey as a Champion, I’ve
learn that we need to always
STEP FORWARD AND BELIEVE IN YOURSELF
THAT YOU CAN DO IT. Cause no matter
what it is, we are the champions; and
champions never stop!
To all the Champions out there. Remember,
We are AWESOME! :D”
-Zufizah Jazman, 19
Story of a champion

13. 19&20 November
2011
Civic Centre,
Kuching, Sarawak
BREAK FREE 2011 aims to
BREAKFREE2011 • Unite the youth of
is Sarawak’s first and largest Sarawak;
inter-varsity youth festival. • Inspire Youth to be more
The concept and design of RICH (Responsible,
the event are spearheaded Independent, Confident
by Champions; as a team and Healthy) and;
whom have came together • Revolutionize a positive
after the various programs growth in life of the
held months before. young people.

14. Futsal Challenge Martial Arts Demonstration
Open Stage & Youth4Unity Concert X-Flow & Parkour

15. 2011 at a glance
JULY EMPOWERMENT SERIES
AUGUST EMPOWERMENT SERIES
SEPTEMBER CHAMPIONS BOOTCAMP
DiGi’s CHALLENGE4CHANGE
OCTOBER FLASHMOB @ THE SPRING
BREAKFREE YOUTH FESTIVAL 2011
NOVEMBER
EMPOWERMENT SERIES
SHADES OF ART 4
DECEMBER XMAS ‘AWESOME’ FLASHMOB

16. GROWTH OF THE CHAMPIONS

17. The differences champions make
Champions offers young people the opportunity to make new
friends, get out of their comfort zone, to learn new skills, to
90%
overcome challenges and to achieve in many ways. For many, 86% 88%
it’s an exhilarating experience that leaves them proud,
motivated and energized. It gives them something to look 56% 68%
forward to everyday. For some, the experience is so powerful 45%
46%
that it completely changes their outlook on life and transform 38%
them as an individual.
30% Personal
Wellbeing
Champions is a movement which provides young people a
Personal
Wellbeing
Social
Wellbeing
Before Champions
Social Enthusiasm &
Environment Confidence
After Champions
sense of belonging, and an opportunity to contribute and be Chart 1: Observational Differences on Youth Behavioral Change
significant in the society. One of the impact we measured Please take note that data are collected via observational
was the positive effect it had on young people’s overall research. Research interpretation may defer from personal
opinion.
satisfaction with life.
CHAMPIONS BROADENED THEIR
23% Social
Wellbeing
HORIZONS, PARTLY BY GIVING THEM THE
CHANCE TO SEE THEIR OWN
CAPABILITIES IN UNTESTED GROUNDS

18. How Champions Impacted Me…
I enjoy with new things, Though only an infant program of 6months; the feedback
experiences, chances from from our partners and young people whom have been
champions and i feel that, as a involved have been tremendous and encouraging.
youth i need to do something to
my community and keep learning
50%
and enjoy myself at the same Social
time.. Yeah, it increased my level Environment
of confidence somehow.and I feel
AWESOME :) TQ! So champs, ask
not what your country can do for
you, bt ask yourself wht u cn do to Our observations has shown that the experiences in The
ur country. :) – Sarah Razak Champions provide a significant boost to young people’s
personal, emotional and social well-being. The skills they
learn and confidence they develop in their own capabilities
enable them to achieve in new ways and make them a
more effective individuals at school and in workplace.
well before this i was not
use to be friendly with
friend and i got not many
friend..but after
Champions, I have got
more friends and am more
44% Confidence
Enthusiasm
friendly than before.. Champions in the year 2012, vows to see greater impact
when i join the Champion, and changes as an individual and the community at large.
I feel amazing and I can be
myself..Awesome man..go
champion.. - Julian

19. 6months in a glance
300 2261 9600
young leaders and
influencers
youth empowered to be a
Champion
volunteer hours from
The Champions
“ To young people, well-
being is about feeling
confident, safe and
able to live a healthy
fulfilling life. It’s all
45 18 1.8mil
about feeling positive
& effective, valued
and supported.
Well-being unlocks
seconds FB average Industry stakeholders kilowatt of AWESOME energy
respond rate and partners engaged generated young people
potential to achieve
whatever they put
38 7 2mil
their minds at.
Champions is a
platform that
encourages and
mentors involved in
The Champions
public & private
institutions participated
earned media impressions spread
across local &international media
facilitates these
growth. ”

20. Kuching started off as a livable
What are they saying place when I first got here. But
since I met The Champions and
with things happening all the
time, I can now say that I love
and I enjoy being in Kuching!
-Hanani Shukri
Happiness kept me smiling,
challenges as it will always
make me stronger, sadness
reminds me that I’m only
human, success keeps me
motivated, failures reminds me
to be humble, friends and family
love keeps me going.
The Champions reminds me to
continue to be determined, and
persevere, because at the end, I
will always prevail from any
hardship.
-Paul Racha

21. I first heard about the Champions from a friend of mine. He was going on
about this new group of young people who called themselves, The
Champions and they wanted to make a change in society. My first thought
was, “They won’t last.” Like most youths in Sarawak, I was skeptical when it
came to these things as most often disappear over time due to lack of
leadership or spirit.
However, one afternoon he invited me to have a chat with Melody
Bendindang, who was the youth specialist heading The Champions program
under Youth Works Asia.
She shared and explained her vision of empowering local youths with the
skills, knowledge and confidence through The Champions Program to break
out of the social norm here in Sarawak. Various planned events such as the
Empowerment Series, The Champions Boot Camp, BREAKFREE 2011 and
others all focus on creating a platform for the youth to chase their dreams
and be agents of change in Sarawak.
I felt a sudden rush of excitement as I listened to her explain her vision. I
could see the enormous amount of potential this program had to effectively
change the youth in Sarawak. By individually reaching out to each youth
and asking them what they want in life and guiding them towards it, the
methods used in the program to communicate with the youth would alter
the way youth looked and thought about each other, the lifestyle they live,
our society, our state and our country. It could also open countless windows
of opportunities for aspiring young talent in all industries as the program
essentially creates ‘bridges’ between the big players of industries with
hopeful young talent.
-Julian, UCSI Story of a champion

22. In the news

23. OUR PARTNERS
Champions is fortunate to receive support from some of the
State’s more influential organizations and individuals. The
Champions prove to be an effective public-private
partnership that leverages on the strength of collective
support.
A special thanks to all our partners that went above and
beyond in their support to Champions.
A S I A
Kementerian
Pembangunan Sosial

24. conclusion Our vision in 2012
In conclusion, The Champions program has impacted and Over the coming years, Champions will continue to strive
empowered the youth of Sarawak and started a movement of and built on what we have learnt til date since the past
young people who are passionate in seeing a positive change 6months. In particular, we will look into the following:
in their community and beyond. The Champions is still growing
in numbers and creating even bigger impact as it goes on. • Continue to run impactful youth development programs
with the Champions;
The Champions hope to see more agents of change created • Focus on short-term learning outcomes, whilst building
and be the transformation catalyst of the state and the nation. in more longer-term measures;
• Consider the emotional and physical benefits of spending
As more focus is directed to the youth of the nation, thanks to time in the natural environment, and how this helps to
efforts of our beloved Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun achieve positive outcome for young people;
Razak, The Champions hope that the public and private sectors • Expand our programs beyond Kuching, Sarawak together
will contribute more to the development of the youth in with the young people in a structured manner;
Sarawak and help propel the economy and social growth of • Create a bigger and bolder year 2012 for the young
Sarawak to move ahead. people in Malaysia
With this, The Champions hope to continue its efforts in
developing and engaging the youth of Sarawak and
transforming the landscape of the youth for Sarawak to
flourish in the years to come.

25. 2012 in a nutshell

26. AWESOME YOUTH AWARDS (AWWYA 2012)
AWWYA2012 recognizes grassroots youth on Significance & Awesomeness.
Community Hero, Empower badge, Inspire badge, Youth4Unity award, Awesome Youth of the Year.
SOUL HEART RIGHT BRAIN LEFT BRAIN
EDUCATION
LIFESTYLE
INNOVATION
EMPOWERMENT LEADERSHIP CREATIVITY
FINANCE
INSPIRATION TEAMWORK ARTS
SOCIAL MEDIA
PASSION DREAMS UNITY
EMPLOYMENT
COMMUNITY
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
4 PILLARS OF “AWESOMENESS” - a holistic development model for youth.
YOUTH ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY
Campus Leaders Program • Community Champions • Anak Muda Sarawak (ambassador program)
If you’d like to participate and support The Champions next year, please do drop us a line at
bernard@youthworks.asia or call us at +6011 1239 8163.

27. courageous, relentless, selfless
We are the champions

28. To a bigger
Bolder
2012
Champions Impact Report 2011 and its content are copyrights of The Champions © Youth Works Asia 2011.
All Rights Reserved