| James Kon |
YOUNG people should open up their minds and explore the many opportunities that are presented to them, and get involved in volunteer work to gain and develop important life skills, advised Legislative Council member Yang Berhormat Khairunnisa binti Haji Ash’ari.
The Legislative Council member was speaking to 50 local graduates who are participating in the Civic Village Programme for 2018 yesterday during a dialogue session held at Tarindak D’Seni Restaurant.
The Civic Village Programme is an Information Department project aimed at increasing face-to-face communication between the government and the community. It is also meant to enhance the participants’ competitiveness so that they are better prepared to face future challenges and take advantage of job opportunities offered by the government.
Sharing her experience when she first graduated in 2011, the Legislative Council member said, “I was in a dilemma. I was thinking: ‘What should I do after my degree?’ I decided that I didn’t want to further my studies or find fulltime employment because I felt that I wanted to increase my life experience.”
She continued, “During my time, we didn’t get exposed to NGO work at university. In hindsight, I would have been more active in volunteerism when I was a student. For students today, it’s never too late. You don’t have to follow the common paths that your friends or relatives are taking.
“Everyone is different. Never ever compare yourself to others. I want to explore something new and something different and I want to feel good about what I am doing.” Recalling her time shortly after graduation, she said, “I had an opportunity to carry out volunteer work. With some experience with an international organisation under my belt, I was offered a job as a facilitator in Brunei. The pay was BND500 a month, but I did the work and I really enjoyed it because it involved community service.
“The organisation I was working for, saw my potential and promoted me to manager, and I was given a better pay. I wanted to explore something new and different, and I want to feel good about what I am doing. Despite the modest pay, I continued with my work thanks to the support of my family.”
Yang Berhormat Khairunnisa also spoke about the first volunteer project she got involved in: the Society for Community Outreach and Training (SCOT) Green Xchange community project in Kampong Ayer, an initiative which is still ongoing.
“It was this work that really sparked my interest in community service. I really love the passion of youth who share the same drive as me,” she told the Bulletin.
Sharing her experience of running her own social enterprise Green Brunei, she said, “I really spent the past six years volunteering and organising events. My goal was to gain as much experience as possible. My passion in this field came to me by accident.
“One day, I did the work and I felt good for helping the society and community. I was working with groups of people who have so much positivity to share.”
She continued, “Getting involved in such work opens up opportunities in other avenues… for example I had been invited to organise projects in Cambodia, the Philippines and Indonesia. The important thing is staying committed to working hard and not giving up. Somewhere along the way in this journey, you will definitely face challenges.”
The Legislative Council member added that having volunteer work experience will only enhance one’s employability.
“It makes your job application more attractive. You will have skills that you’ve developed while volunteering in addition to the work experience. It’s a good combination on top on your degree,” she said.
Giving a final word of advice to Brunei’s youth, she said, “Opportunities are plenty out there, it’s up to the youth to make full use of them or create their own opportunities. Take the first step and don’t give up – rezeki is everywhere.”