Week 1: AKPK is coming.
Today began with the community service initiative lecture, which will become more relevant to me however this mornings was a little above my head. Puan Akma was here to introduce a project that required us to do soon. She is from Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK). It is an agency set up by Bank Negara Malaysia. The purpose of it is to help individuals taking control of their financial situation and gaining the peace of mind that comes from the wise use of credit. To treat Puan Akma respectfully, we were attired in a smart casual or formal wear. In nearly two hours of lecture, as Puan Akma delivered her speech in a relaxing way, she thus gained much attention from students and me as well.
In relation to the project, there are some persons are in trouble and has many issues surrounding financial, but lacking some relevant knowledge to deal with it. Such a person called “Sahabat”. Our main task in the project is to provide them advice by teaching them how to allocate money. For instance, how to do a budget book and make a marketing plan for them.
When I knew the details of this project which presented by Puan Akma from AKPK, I felt so stressed and challenging. I scared I will screw up everything and cause enormous losses in Sahabat’s business. Moreover, I worried that I was not able to cope with it since the project could be considered as my first practice work. As people said, “In theory, theory and practice are the same; in practice, they are not.” Nevertheless, I would do the best I can in this project. I will be more responsible instead of having a slovenly attitude to look at this project.
At the same time, I am looking forward to their budget book. I am so curious to see how the book will look like. By the way, we also need to do a reflective journal about this project. It could help me look back on what I have learnt, and consider how I have learnt it. This can make the experience richer, and make me more self-aware. As a twist on a common phrase might put it, “Don’t just do something: stand there and think about it!” Doing a project such as this, is a good preparation for a career where I am expected to be a “reflective practitioner”.
Week 2: Tutorial of Budget Book from AIM.
Despite having a lecture from Puan Akam, today, Ms. Mona from Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) is invited to give us a lesson. It is about the usefulness of a budget book and how to create it. Budgeting is simply balancing your expenses with your income. The lesson provided us a wide range of knowledge and idea on how to achieve the aim of the project.
Ms. Mona said that budgeting is important. There was a time that I was in a serious financial situation, I was wondering that how my money disburse. It is one of the reasons why I seldom hang out with friends. To resolve this problem, I started to make a budget book even if it is not a formal budget book. Fortunately, I did have some savings in my bank account. For that reason, I totally agreed with Ms. Mona that budget book is an essential element in finance.
Throughout Ms. Mona’s lecture, I have gained more knowledge than before about budgeting. I would utilize them while providing advice to my Sahabat, she can thus rely on my advice to allocate her money. And I am confident that I will explain well to Sahabat about the budget book. Other than that, to reduce my Sahabat’s cost of production, I will follow what Ms. Mona has taught in the lecture hall which is how to distinguish among the three kind of expenses. It seems like an attractive activity for me. Hence, I felt excited to the community service project that we need to do soon.
 Logo AIM |  Ms. Mona from AIM |  Ms. Mona from AIM |
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 Budget Book from AIM |  Budget Book from AIM |
Week 3: First meeting with Sahabat.
Today began with shadowing a core group focusing on our Sahabat - Puan Hasanah. She is running a tailoring business which is "A&Y Tailor" located in Ampang Hulu Klang.
At first, I was very nervous to meet her due to the level of my Malay. My feelling was changed when we started a conversation. She was patient of our poor language. She always waited for us to finish our sentence. It made me feel guilty of not empathised more on Malay. My initial feeling for Sahabat is she must be a very shy and kind person. It is because when it was her turn to introduce herself, she spoke very softly and said she was not going to point anybody. She said that she did not want to force people. She hoped to be chosen instead of to choose. She gave us the right to choose.
After a long talk, I realized that she is a kind and cheerful person. Despite having a lots of difficulties, she always think positive and never give up of her life. As people always say "Life isn't always roses, there's lots of thorns". Besides, I have a great respect for her. She intended to be a founder rather than an ordinary housewife. In 2009, she set up her own company, A&Y Tailor was founded. Her aim was achieved.
During the time of conversation with Puan Hasanah, there was another Sahabat broke down in tears while sharing her experience. At the moment, I put myself in her shoes even though I was not able to help her. I think the only thing I can do is to comfort her. In that moment, I truly understand the Sahabat’s difficulties. Furthermore, to solve Puan Hasanah’s difficulty, we did a research in relation to her circumstances, hoping to gather a wider understanding that would enable us to complete the marketing financial plan for her. . I hope that our marketing plan will really work so that we can help Sahabat.
Looking at those people struggling in solving their financial issues, I appreciate that I was raised up in a comfortable environment, living without worries. My parent never fail to satisfy my desire. I knew I was blessed with a gift of having them.
 A photo with Sahabat |  Sahabat |
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 Sahabat was choosing their mentor |  |
 A conversation with Sahabat |
Week 4: 1st visit to Sahabat’s premise and house.
Today was the first visit of Puan Hasanah’s premises. However, as we arrived there, the shop was closed due to our Sahabat’s eye allergy. Despite this, she still guided us to go into her shop to have a look at it. We took a long look around for opportunities and threats, in turn defines the strategic premises.
Sahabat showed us her products which are Baju Kurung. I paid tribute to the Sahabat in tailoring and designing Baju Kurung by herself. Through a brief of her products given by her, I could feel her ambition to create her own brand and make this brand stronger. Therefore, she is very eager to learn how to run an online shop even she has no idea with those high technology such as smartphone. I was so surprised on it as some older people are not willing to choose use modern device. For example, my mother is under the category of not using modern device. She is not participating in the online revolution. Consequently, I have a better understanding of my sahabat. She is a person who is willing to accept such change. She likes new technology although she is not used to it. In fact, it is very difficult for elder people to learn newest things. While people getting older, it takes more time to learn new and difficult things. They need to take a longer time to learn new knowledge or to practice a new mental skill and get it learned up to an acceptable standard. There is a saying in Chinese: “Live till old, learn till old.” Sahabat showed us that it is important to keep learning even if you enter into an old age.
After that, Sahabat invited us to her house. I was so happy for it because people generally will not invite someone whom they are not believe in or familiar with. Taking me as an example, I would only invite my friends to my house. Allowing stranger enter to my house make me feel uncomfortable. For me, the act of Sahabat means that she was fully believing in us and was really willing open up herself in sharing her feeling and experiences with us. Furthermore, Sahabat prepared a simple meal for lunch for us. I am so grateful to my Sahabat.
 Sahabat's premise |  Sahabat's premise |
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 Sahabat's premise |  10487690_836374269765758_790390799_n.jpg |
 Sahabat's business budget book |  Sahabat's business budget book |
 Sahabat's personal budget book |  Meal that cooked by Sahabat |
 A&Y Tailor's productAll are tailored and decorated by Sahabat. |  A&Y Tailor's productAll are tailored and decorated by Sahabat. |
Week 5: 2nd visit to Sahabat’s premise and house.
During the second visitation, we received an enthusiastic welcome from Sahabat. Our Sahabat is really a generous person. Not to mention that she allowed us to visit her house, later on in the afternoon, we were offered the opportunity to have a large satisfying meal provided by Puan Sahanah. And I knew that the meal was not a meal that can be cooked easily as I saw Sahabat around 2 hours in preparation of the meal. By the way, Ms Kelly and Mr. Sam were there as well. We ate the lunch together. We all agreed that the meal was very delicious, even if it was a little spicy. I have to say again that I am so grateful to my Sahabat. I really hope that our marketing plan designed for her would have a significant improvement in her business.
Thinking back on this project makes me more confident in becoming more involved with person facing finance issue, I have learnt a lot. Apart from the good learning opportunities, Sahabat’s positive thinking motivates me. She made me understand that it is important to stick to our dreams even if we never could. Previously, the goal of Puan Hasanah was to become an owner of a small company even she had no any business knowledge background. It was hard but she did it successfully. Now she wants to expand her business. Even she is not familiar with social network and lack of capital, she never give up. Now, she is getting closer and closer to achieving her goals. I am confident that my Sahabat will be successful.
It was a meaningful experience for me. I learnt that helping people who in needs are a blissful thing. If I was offered another chance to join this project, I believe that I would do better job. I would put all my effort to help people who needs help through my experiences and knowledge of community service initiative project. Before this, the first thing I am going to do is to improve my Malay so that I can communicate fluently with Sahabat.
All in all, I am appreciate that Taylor’s University, AIM and AKPK offer me an opportunity to be part of the project. This experience has benefited me greatly.
 A photo with Sahabat |  Teaching Sahabat to use internet |
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 A gift from AKPK |  Last day with Sahabat |
 Certificate |