Written by Dr Athirah Azhar
The Social Work Programme, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSH), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), implemented the Voices of Resilience Project through the Community Resilience Experiential Learning (CARE) Project under the Fieldwork Practice course (SSS3074) during Semester 2, Session 2025/2026. The course involved 43 final-year Social Work students and was coordinated by Dr Athirah Azhar, with Madam Grace Pui Tze Phing as the course instructor and co-supervisor. Students were placed in groups of four to five at community agencies in Kuching and Samarahan, attending their placements once a week to interact with clients, understand community needs and apply social work knowledge in real-life settings.
As part of the CARE Project, students identified community needs and developed interventions in consultation with agency supervisors, with their implementation monitored by the course instructors. A total of 10 projects were implemented across 10 agencies between March and May 2026, focusing on children, older persons, persons with disabilities, individuals experiencing mental health challenges and other vulnerable communities. Through weekly fieldwork and reflective classes, students strengthened their professional competencies while contributing to the community. Collectively, the projects reached 403 beneficiaries, comprising 190 children, 86 older persons and 127 other community members, while promoting social participation, emotional well-being, inclusion and community resilience.
Among the initiatives was Satu Hati, Seribu Isyarat, conducted in collaboration with the Sarawak Deaf Community Services Association (SDCSA). The programme introduced school students to basic Malaysian Sign Language (BIM) through workshops and a treasure hunt, while other activities with the deaf community included informal interactions and a basic bouquet-making workshop. These activities aimed to bridge communication gaps, promote empathy and encourage more inclusive interactions with members of the deaf community.
For children and young people, programmes such as Ruang Ceria Jiwa Bahagia, Mini Jar Motivation and Jejak Menara Gading focused on emotional well-being, personal development and future aspirations. At Pusat Aktiviti Kanak-Kanak, students created a cheerful and safe environment through decoration activities while raising children’s awareness of bullying and sexual harassment. At Pusat Pendidikan D’WIRA, the Mini Jar Motivation project provided undocumented children with colour-coded motivational notes to help them manage emotions such as sadness, anger and anxiety. The programme also included bonding activities, classroom decoration, a dental care talk and flower arrangement.
Meanwhile, Jejak Menara Gading: Membina Impian, Mencorak Masa Depan brought teenage residents of Rumah Kanak-Kanak Toh Puan Hajah Norkiah (RKKTPHN) to UNIMAS. Through a campus tour, library visit and forum, the participants were introduced to university life and higher education opportunities. The initiative aimed to broaden their aspirations and motivate them to consider education as a pathway towards a better future.
The projects also addressed the well-being of older persons and other vulnerable communities. At Rumah Seri Kenangan (RSK), Satu Titisan, Sejuta Kenangan introduced a mini pond as a therapeutic feature for the elderly residents. Activities such as fish feeding, light exercises, memory games and making dadih provided opportunities for sensory stimulation, social interaction and meaningful engagement.
At Sarawak Cheshire Home, Fairy World of Joy featured puzzle-solving activities designed to stimulate residents’ cognitive functions and enhance social interaction. By working together to complete the puzzles, residents were able to practise their thinking skills, improve concentration and build confidence in a relaxed and inclusive environment.
At Halfway Home, Improving Residents’ Emotional Well-Being Through a Healing Environment focused on creating a more positive and welcoming environment through a vibrant mural. Residents also participated in social activities such as playing carrom, cooking together and celebrating Hari Gawai. These activities provided opportunities for social connection and helped address feelings of loneliness.
The Kit Panduan Persediaan Kerjaya OKU Dewasa at Pusat Pemulihan Samarahan focused on supporting adults with disabilities in preparing for independent living and employment. Through career-sharing sessions, quizzes, self-discovery mind maps and drawing activities, participants were encouraged to identify their interests, explore career aspirations and build confidence.
At the One-Stop Early Intervention Centre (OSEIC), Suara Hati & Dinding Harapan created a platform for parents and teachers to share their experiences and emotional concerns. The Circle Sharing session encouraged open communication, while the Dinding Harapan (Wall of Hope) allowed parents to express their hopes, prayers and aspirations for their children.
At Hope Place, the Inspirasi Kediaman project involved students in practical activities such as painting, cleaning and organising a client’s home. The intervention aimed to create a cleaner, safer and more comfortable living environment, contributing to the client’s physical, emotional and psychosocial well-being.
The Voices of Resilience Project demonstrates how fieldwork education can extend beyond professional training and contribute to the wider community. Through these initiatives, students were able to apply their social work knowledge through practical interventions while developing empathy, communication, teamwork, problem-solving and community engagement skills.
For the 43 final-year Social Work students, the experience offered an important lesson: resilience is not built alone. It grows through connection, understanding, participation and collective action. Through the Voices of Resilience Project, students gained valuable fieldwork experience while contributing to the well-being of the communities they worked with.
FSSH – A Partner for Social Change