Malaysia – Generation Change https://blogs.dw.com/generationchange Whether they are campaigning for free press in Zimbabwe, helping provide clean water in India, or offering free music lessons to underprivileged kids in the UK, young people all over the world are making a difference. Wed, 16 Nov 2016 16:49:27 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 Former fashion designer saves Borneo reefs https://blogs.dw.com/generationchange/2014/02/former-fashion-designer-saves-borneo-reefs/ Tue, 11 Feb 2014 13:15:55 +0000 http://blogs.dw.com/generationchange/?p=4743 The dream of fame and fortune is a familiar one for many young people – but giving it up in pursuit of activism is much less common.  Twenty-seven-year-old Felicity “Flik” Finlayson did just that – in one of the most extreme ways possible. She gave up her goal of becoming a fashion designer and moved to a remote island in Borneo to devote her life fulltime to marine conservation with the organization TRACC.

Listen to the report by Emily Richmond from Pom Pom Island in Malaysian Borneo:

Felicity Finlayson relaxing with local staff on Pom Pom Island, Malaysia

Flik went to Pom Pom Island on vacation – and stayed (Photo: F. Finlayson)

Felicity "Flik" Finlayson working underwater on a new artificial reef

Flik rebuilds portions of the reef, then replants the in the ocean (Photo: TRACC)

Coral plugs growing in underwater nursery on Pom Pom Island

These coral plugs are meant to enhance the existing reefs off of Pom Pom Island (Photo: TRACC)

"Flik" using walker during her recovery

Flik’s leg was nearly severed in a boat accident while working on the reefs – but she has fully recovered (Photo: F. Finlayson)

 

 

]]> The gift of a home https://blogs.dw.com/generationchange/2012/11/the-gift-of-a-home/ Tue, 27 Nov 2012 12:43:34 +0000 http://blogs.dw.com/generationchange/?p=2755 Jayne Kennedy, 24, saw that members of the Orang Asli ethnic minority in Malaysia were living in unstable and unsafe homes. So she got her friends together and founded the organization EPIC Collaborative, which builds sustainable new homes for families there. Jayne used to work in the advertising industry, but found that improving people’s lives, just a few at a time, was a lot more rewarding.

Listen to the report by Subir Che Selia near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia:

The gift of a home

Jayne isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty

EPIC has already found lots of volunteers

Some people are baldy in need of a roof over their heads

The new houses completely change the residents’ lives

Learn more about EPIC Collaborative on their website.

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