Over the first weekend of August 2019, more than 100 students from around Malaysia attended “Saya Malaysia//Kita Malaysia,” a national English camp focused on storytelling and identity in Malaysia. Students participated in workshops led by Malaysian professionals on mediums including spoken word, journalism, art, social media, music, and podcasting.
During the workshops, participants produced and shared their personal stories. On the last day of the camp, students presented their storytelling projects to one another and larger Kuala Lumpur community through a Saya Malaysia//Kita Malaysia Student Showcase attended by U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia Kamala Shirin Lakhdhir, who reflected on the program in an article “Saya Malaysia, Kita Malaysia” in celebration of Merdeka Day.
The journalism project that won the Fay Khoo Award for the conference, “A Greeting of Cassava,” will be featured in the forthcoming anthology (November 2019) for the Fay Khoo Award for Food+Drink Writing.
We hope that you enjoy reading and listening to the compelling stories created by these talented, hardworking students.
With love and appreciation,
Julia Munslow, Emily Owens, Thomas Klein, Selma Ismail
Camp Coordinators
Congratulations to Our Award Winners
FAY KHOO AWARD WINNER
Golinia Michelle Anak Gody, SMK Kidurong
Honorable Mentions
Thurga Devi A/P Pusparaja, SMK Mudzaffar Shah
Lili Suhara Binti Ismail, SMK Abu Bakar Al-Baqir
Siti Balkis binti Abdul Taib, SMK Kemena
Peggy Tay Hui Fen, SMK Asyakirin
Ainur Aliesa binti Abdullah, SMK Jerai
Muhammad Aliff Shauqi bin Abdullah, SMK Kuala Krau
EXCELLENCE IN STORYTELLING AWARDS
The Drawl Family Award
Chong Jia You, SMK Aminuddin Baki Chemor
The Heart of a Wolf Award
Irfan Hakimi bin Muhammad Shahril, SMK Jerai
The Seeds of Change Award
Nur Alisya Himairah binti Ridhuan, SMK Kerdau
The Cumulonimbus Award
Mifthahun Najihah binti Syfol Rizad, SMK Abu Bakar Al-Baqir
The Thomas J. Duffy Award
Tan Shu Shan, SMK Sri Kota
The Lillian Lian Scholarship
Laura Linggan, SMK Kidurong
The Alva J. Price award
Zul Hilmi bin Roslan, SMK Seri Bemban
The Faulhaber Fund Award
Nur Aleeya Najiha binti Mohd Zaid, SMK Seri Pengkalan
The Ismail Albeely Award
Abdul Hadi Bin Roni, SMK Mudzaffar Shah
The Lighting the Path Award
Sharvin Vicknesvaran, SMK Dato’ Haji Mohd Taib
The Emily Pomeranz Memorial Award
Nurul Jannah binti Yahaya, SMK Kampung Jambu
The Dr. Mona Imam Award
Amissa Kemelia Anak Meling, SMK Kemena
The Faulhaber Fund
Hanathisvary Tamil Selvan, SMK Tanjong Puteri
The Thomas J. Duffy Award
Au Jing Ru, SMK Dato’ Dol Said
The Moore Family Award
Siti Nur Aina Najeehah binti Mohd Nor Efendey , SMK Rapat Setia
The Emily Pomeranz Memorial Award
Nurul Atiqah Syazwanni binti Abdullah, SMK Asyakirin
The Thomas J. Duffy Award
Ain Mardhiah Huda binti Mat Taib, SMK Kuala Krau
The Klein Family Award
Nur Hasnani Atikah Bt. Mohd Adnon, SMK Wira Jaya
The Legacies of Love Award
Aida Nasuha binti Aziz, SMK Merbok
The Hamilton Proper Award
Norhariz Haikal bin Norsharizam, SMK Gali
What Students Said
It gave me opportunities to learn about different ways to tell a story. … Overall, it is certainly one of the best camps I have ever attended.
Student from Pahang
It opened my eyes about being Malaysian.
Student from Perak
The most important thing I have learnt was don’t let people determine who you are, show them who you are!
Student from Perak
Photos from the English Camp
Photos by Sara Schleicher and Nicole Feleo
Thank you to our sponsors
Saya Malaysia//Kita Malaysia 