KUALA LUMPUR, August 22, 2025 – With Merdeka Day and Hari Malaysia around the corner, the significance of both days rises once again as Malaysians are reminded about the spirit of unity and independence, respecting diversity and moving forward as one people.
It is this very spirit that inspired the birth of Projek57 a decade ago. Founded in 2015, the social enterprise made unity and hope its underlying mission, connecting Malaysians from all walks of life while empowering underprivileged communities, particularly Orang Asli youth. Ten years on, Projek57 remains steadfast in its quest for inclusivity by delivering tangible support to those who need it most.
The social enterprise’s most impactful initiatives have centred around education. Its first preschool, located in Pos Pasik, Gua Musang, Kelantan, began with about 15 children from the underserved Orang Asli community. The school continues to operate today, with enrolment expected to grow in time. Its curriculum emphasises learning through play and social interaction, with teachers from the community itself nurturing a love for learning to prepare the children for primary school.
Building on this success, Projek57 is now constructing its second preschool in Kuala Betis, also in Gua Musang. Currently in its final stages of construction, the school is expected to be completed within the next two months.
With ongoing support from like-minded partners including Prudential Ampri Cleanroom Services (PACS), Projek57 has invested significantly in developing these preschools from the ground up, ensuring they are safe, conducive spaces for early learning, complete with nutritious daily meals for the children.
Projek57 Co-founder Syed Sadiq Albar said, “It is heartening to see the impact of our collective efforts and spirit of hope still strong in our 10th year. These preschools will give disadvantaged children, no matter their background, an opportunity to thrive and break the cycle, which can be tougher for young Orang Asli. A good start in learning will open doors to knowledge, build self-confidence, and spark the belief that they can shape a better future for themselves and their community. We are immensely grateful for the generous support from kind Malaysians who have enabled this.”
The preschool initiative follows a model that can be adapted and established in other Orang Asli settlements. Designed to be practical, scalable and rooted in the needs of each local community. Projek57 aims to adapt this model to other Orang Asli settlements across Malaysia in the coming years.
Funding for the preschools comes from the Projek57 Education Fund as well as proceeds from the sale of its merchandise, including Unity Ribbons, T-shirts and other products proudly worn by Malaysians nationwide.
Projek57 Co-founder Collin Swee added, “Our T-shirts and Unity Ribbons are far more than wearable items for a worthy cause. When you wear our merchandise, it creates a ripple effect. It helps underprivileged Malaysians who handmake our Unity Ribbons earn a living, supports children in Orang Asli communities gain an education, and contributes to other community needs. We hope more Malaysians will join us in support of unity this Merdeka and Hari Malaysia.”
Through the Projek57 Education Fund, Jorita Rosman has been able to transform her life and give back to her community. She first joined Projek57 in 2018 as a sales trainee and, with the fund’s support, secured a scholarship at Saito University where she completed her pre-university studies and later graduated with a degree in Business Management. Returning to her village in Kuala Betis, Gua Musang, Jorita began teaching preschoolers in her own living room, and once the new preschool there is completed, she will lead its first intake of 10 children in a safe and nurturing environment made possible through Projek57’s education initiatives.
Over the past decade, more than 30,889 T-shirts and approximately 400,000 Unity Ribbons have been sold. These efforts, together with special collaborations such as the Yusof Majid art initiative, have collectively raised over RM500,000 in donations for underprivileged communities and for the Projek57 Education Fund. Every purchase not only spreads Projek57’s message of unity and hope, but also directly contributes to changing lives.
Sales of Projek57 merchandise are ongoing, with funds from every purchase channelled directly into the education and community projects it supports.
For more information, please visit https://www.projek57.com/ or visit Projek57’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/projek57, Twitter page at https://twitter.com/projek_57 or Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/projek57/.
