I was just scrolling through my social media, like any other day, when I came across a video that stopped me in my tracks.
It tells the story of a good hearted Arif, an “anak Chow Kit” living in abject poverty, struggling to provide his siblings with food and suitable clothing. Their tough daily lives as street children in the challenging city centre have been major social problems.
Upon watching the video, it reminds me of an old saying: “It takes a whole village to raise a child.” It means that raising a child isn’t the sole responsibility of the parents, but a community effort to provide care, guidance and mentorship to the child as they grow up.
And the truth is, there are many more Arifs out there
Arif’s story reminded me that so many children out there grow up without the support they need. In my involvement with the Sejahtera Leadership Initiative (SLI) team, I met many street children during the MBA & BBA students’ community research projects. Some have lost their parents, while others come from broken homes. Many are victims of abuse, poverty, or displacement, and they turn to the streets because there’s nowhere else to go.
Many of these children don’t have a stable home, proper education, or even identification documents. Some don’t attend school simply because they don’t have a permanent address or a guardian. They are left to navigate life alone, forced into adulthood before they even experience childhood.
Most of us don’t think about them until a video like this appears on our screens
The good news is, there are people who care.
Alhamdulillah (Thank God), NGOs like Yayasan Chow Kit and organizations like MBSB Bank are working together to ensure that these children are fed, safe, and given opportunities for education. It was through this very support system that Arif found his footing again. He was able to continue his studies and chase his dream of becoming a teacher.
Founded to support underprivileged and at-risk children, Yayasan Chow Kit provides a safe space where kids can learn, grow, and receive the care they deserve. Beyond just food and shelter, the foundation works with corporations like MBSB Bank to offer education, emotional support, and life skills training, ensuring that these children have a fighting chance at a better future.
But here’s the thing: It’s not just their responsibility. It’s ours too.
So, where do we start?
Start by watching the video. See Arif’s story for yourself:
👉 TikTok
And if it moves you, share it. Talk about it. Let’s make sure these children are not forgotten.
Zulkifly Baharom is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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