Today, the 2018 winners of the Queen's Young Leaders Award have been announced.
The Award recognises the exceptional work of young people around The Commonwealth and the Leaders will receive their Award from The Queen in a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace next year.
The Queen and Prince Harry have supported the Award since it was set up by The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust in Her Majesty's name in 2014.
Well done to all the winners. You have made the region proud of you, young people!
Ahmad Fadillah Sellahhuddin - Projek Bina Ukhwah Founder
(BRUNEI)
Ahmad works to support underprivileged families in his community. He co-founded Projek Bina Ukhwah, a youth movement that aims to create safer and more hygienic living conditions for people in need.
In its first eight months, the group raised more than B$35,000, distributed $6,000 worth of food packs, and built houses for two families living in poor conditions.
In addition, the organisation runs a Family Empowerment and Economic Development Programme which mentors families and provides them with funding to start their own small businesses. Ahmad has also been a member of the Brunei Darussalam AIDS Council for 14 years, where he raises awareness of HIV/AIDS through education.
Siva Nagappan Visvesvaran
(MALAYSIA)
Siva develops new solutions to existing environmental problems. He has developed numerous innovations to improve everyday recycling including the Linear Water Storage system for his school, which enables rainwater to be stored in a fraction of the space usually required.
Siva is currently studying electrical power engineering and hopes it will allow him to deliver more sustainable and affordable sources of energy to developing countries. In addition, he is the co-founder of a social enterprise called Project Paplet.
The organisation set up a ‘Reuse Initiative’ which takes paper already used on one side and turns it into booklets. The booklets are donated to 50 refugee schools throughout Malaysia through the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. The group also provides toolkits to 11 other institutions globally explaining how to make the booklets and to empower people to create new products out of everyday rubbish. Since its launch in 2016, it has saved around 4.5 tonnes of paper.
Wen Shin Chia - Green Yards Founder
(MALAYSIA)
Wen is an environmentalist who uses innovation and entrepreneurship to tackle pollution in her country. In 2016 she founded Green Yards, which deters people from disposing of household oil down drains by offering them free soap in exchange for every 5kg of oil returned to them.
This oil, which pollutes the water supplies, is instead recycled into eco-cleaning products and candles. In addition, Wen and her team organise community workshops to promote recycling. In just one year, Green Yards has prevented 4.7 tonnes of used cooking oil from being dumped.
Tian Sern Oon - Acceset Founder
(SINGAPORE)
Tian is using technology to help people access mental health support. He is the founder of Acceset, an online platform for people to discuss mental health issues and seek help anonymously.
Tian previously spent three years on the management committee of Audible Hearts, an online peer support mental health network.
During his time with Audible Hearts, Tian and his team worked alongside professional counsellors and trained volunteers to offer support to young people who were not yet ready to seek professional help. Tian is now working to compile a directory of social service organisations in Singapore, to make it easier for those in need to find the right professional help.
Yi Jun Mock - Advisory Co-Founder
(SINGAPORE)
Yi Jun is giving young people the help and encouragement they need to pursue their ambitions in vocational areas of work. He co-founded Advisory, an online initiative aimed at providing young Singaporeans with the opportunity to learn about different career options.
The service provides users with access to resources, and interviews with professionals from a range of sectors to help them plan their future careers. Yi Jun also served on the National Youth Council’s Young ChangeMakers (YCM) Grant Panel, to assess and mentor youth teams applying for funding for community improvement projects.
While working with YCM, he acted as leader of Project Keep-In-Touch, which focused on building awareness of urban poverty in Singapore. Together with his team, they raised $52,000 in 16 weeks, which went towards projects to help people living in disadvantaged areas. Yi Jun also serves as Project Leader (Networks) of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network – Youth, where he works to engage youth globally with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Find out more about them here > www.queensyoungleaders.com
Source :The Royal Family Facebook Page
