Good Things

Here’s a good thing you need to know: Sehri Tales is a Ramadan-wide writing and creativity challenge, where the goal is to compose a fresh piece of prose, poetry or nonfiction upon waking up for Sahur, the pre-dawn meal during Ramadan, and complete it before the break of dawn. It started in Bangladesh, and has since seen global participation from people all over the world. We speak to Sabrina and Abak, the people behind this project, about its significance in bringing people together during the month of Ramadan.

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Here’s a good thing you need to know: a world where women are safe, heard, and empowered is possible, and the Women’s Aid Organisation is making that a reality. From advocating for stronger laws to ensuring survivors of domestic violence get the protection and support they need, WAO has been a powerful force in shaping policies and attitudes towards gender-based violence in Malaysia, for over 40 years now. As we mark International Women’s Day, we sit down with their newly appointed Executive Director, Nazreen Nizam, to talk about what’s next for WAO, the biggest challenges facing women today, and why collective action is key to making real progress.

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Here’s a good thing you need to know: Komuniti Tukang Jahit is changing lives, through sewing. In homes across Malaysia, women who once struggled to find financial independence are now stitching their way to empowerment, thanks to this social enterprise founded by Yap Sue Yii. It provides a lifeline to homemakers, single mothers and other underserved communities by offering them sewing opportunities that turn their sewing skills into a means of financial independence. We chat with Sue Yii to hear how a simple idea, fueled by heart and determination, has changed lives, one stitch at a time.

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Here’s a good thing you need to know: there’s magic in the everyday, if only we stop to notice it. Jamie Solomon’s book, When Our Lives Intersect - Celebrating Ten Years in Fraser’s Hill is a gentle reminder of that—a little nudge to slow down, breathe, and let nature show us what really matters. Inspired by her 30 visits over 10 years to Fraser’s Hill, Jamie weaves together personal stories, quiet moments, and reflections that feel like catching up with an old friend. It’s a book about finding beauty in life’s small intersections, reconnecting with ourselves, and remembering that sometimes, the simplest things are the most meaningful. Jamie joins us to share more about her book, her love for nature, her connection to Frasers Hill, and the joys of journaling.

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Here’s a good thing you need to know: in 2012, a group of audiologists and speech-language pathologists from Malaysia set up a non-profit resource centre to provide community support to families with speech-language/hearing disabilities. MARCHES raises funds to help these families receive financial assistance for the purchase of hearing aids or speech-language therapy, and also raises public awareness about hearing and/or speech-language impairments. We catch up with the co-founder of MARCHES Dr Carmen Ooi, who’s also a speech-language therapist.

Podcast transcript is available here.

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Here’s a good thing you need to know: Malaysia is taking bold steps to tackle learning loss and school dropouts with Program Anak Kita. With nearly half of 11-year-olds struggling to read and thousands of students missing out on their education, this initiative aims to rebuild the foundations of learning through a whole-of-nation approach. But how does it work, and will it be enough? In this episode, we speak to the experts shaping the program, exploring its whole-of-nation approach, the challenges ahead, and what it truly takes to reform education for a better future.

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Here’s a good thing you need to know: Native Discovery is redefining cultural tourism in Malaysia. This social enterprise began as an unlikely collaboration between an aspiring Orang Asli entrepreneur and a curious civil engineering student. Their mission is simple yet powerful: to create tourism ventures that uplift Orang Asli communities, preserve heritage, and break cultural stereotypes. Their project, Native Allies Society, takes things a step further by promoting allyship and meaningful support for indigenous self-determination. We speak to Daniel Teoh, the Founder of Native Discovery, about this incredible journey.

Image Credit: Nature Discovery, Facebook

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Here’s a good thing you need to know: A Malaysian scientist, is developing a photocatalytic process to convert plastic waste into fuels and versatile chemicals, thus reducing the time for the decomposition of non-biodegradable plastics. We catch up with Dr Kong Xin Ying to find out what inspired her to pursue chemical engineering, and why she’s focusing her research on developing innovative solutions for environmental sustainability. Dr Kong’s work recently earned her the prestigious MIT Technology Review’s Innovators Under 35 Asia Pacific Award for 2024 - also known as the TR35 award. She is currently spending three months at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, at the University of California, on a 2023 Merdeka Award Grant for International Attachment.

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As the climate crisis deepens, it's easy to succumb to despair. But Steve Willis and Jan Lee, co-authors of Fairhaven, offers a different perspective—one rooted in ecological resilience, innovation, and actionable solutions. In this conversation, we explore the harsh realities of our environmental challenges while uncovering pathways to sustainable change. Can optimism coexist with the urgency of our times? Willis and Lee makes the case for hope, grounded in science, community action, and a shared commitment to a better future.

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Sister Dorothy Amalia Laudi has spent the last 19 years building a brighter future for some of Sabah’s underserved children. Known for her compassionate work as a Franciscan nun, she runs 12 kindergartens in Tambunan and Paitan in rural Sabah, giving children the tools to succeed despite incredible odds. From raising funds for school supplies to ensuring teachers are trained, Sister Dorothy exemplifies the spirit of service and compassion, and her efforts have earned her national recognition. But for Sister Dorothy, the real reward is seeing young lives transformed and families uplifted. Today, we hear her story - a tale of faith, resilience, and love in action.

Image Credit: Arthur Joseph Kurup, Facebook

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