Aziza Aznizan is not your ordinary university student. In fact, since 2014, the 23-year-old had been involved with bringing smiles to children around the world. Being the founder of Paint the World (PTW) Malaysia, Aziza herself have been to countries such as Panama, Oman, Lebanon, Africa and several others with PTW volunteers around the world to bring cheers to the underprivileged children.
Sarawakian Aziza was born and raised in Miri, with Kuching being her second home as she comes back each Raya season. When asked what triggered her burning passion, she revealed that her voluntary work stemmed from her childhood.
“I went to a Chinese school in Miri and I was constantly lost between the Chinese community as I always felt like an outcast each time I go for my Agama class, while my classmates went to Mandarin class, and the Malay community would think that I am the Malay-turned-Chinese girl,” lamented Aziza. She also added that, she would further feel more of an outcast during her Agama class as she did not bond well with the other students there.
It was then she realised that though she enjoyed school, she knew something within the community needs fixing. “I did not like the fact where the Sarawakian youths was supposed to be a diverse, integrated community yet I see numerous things that need fixing.”
Knowing this, Aziza would often combine her friends of different races together. However, her willpower to combine races increased after she came back from her first year at an overseas college.
“So when I went to United World College (UWC) Atlantic College at the UK, I saw people of different races unite and I was amazed. I thought if different countries could unite so easily, why not the major ethnicity in Malaysia do the same too?”
It was also during her time in UWC that she met the founder of Paint the World Georgia, Lika Torikashvili. Loving the idea behind PTW, Aziza returned home and gathered her friends in a big car to do PTW events.
Having come a long way since, the young philanthropist shared the various lessons she learned. “One thing I learned while organising charity events for PTW Malaysia is that many were not able to see the purpose of it, rather they felt what the purposes are through their emotions”.
Aside from that, Aziza also mentioned that at times she was surprised of the city she grew up in as she did not know there were orphanages were, including the autism centre, and the stories that entail with each. “I find that Miri is not limited to its malls, and it is always necessary to see a place from both the good and the bad sides. That is actually how you would get to know the place you visit”.
With New Sarawak Tribune following her journey since the beginning, when asked what were her most memorable moments during PTW, Aziza answered, “When we did PTW in Kibera, the biggest slum in Africa. We had to go on a trishaw. The roads were narrow and there were holes everywhere! There were so many people, but barely any roofs on their heads. Yet the children there looked so happy!”
“Before we went, we were warned by the Kenyans to not talk to any of them. There was even a saying that you would go in with full clothes, and go out naked!” she exclaimed.
What breaks the heart was her revelation that most little girls there were regularly raped victims, but they did not look traumatised and could still laugh as though it was nothing.
The altruistic Aziza would usually organise PTW events at different countries by bringing along volunteers from her current university, EU Business School, Barcelona. The group would usually bring balloons, some goodies, and rent a vehicle to visit underprivileged children from different places.
She shared that her struggles throughout PTW was to find youths who are passionate about PTW like her. “It is hard to spread the passion you want to put in other youth and make them see what you see,” Aziza said.
Aziza had won the female category of Anugerah Perdana Belia Negeri 2018 and is now in the midst of working together with Royston Valentine, the winner of the male category of the same award to fulfil one of her goals.
“As I am not getting any younger, the next step for me is to build a school. Right now, we are working on building a 100% eco-friendly school in Pulau Bruit, Mukah, Sarawak. The school will either be built with bamboos or recycled containers. The plan now though is leaning towards using containers as it is much cheaper,” Aziza shared.
Currently, the duo has the designs (done readily by a Kelantanese designer), the exact location of the school, and the prospective students. Graduating in the mid-year, Aziza said she will return to Sarawak then to supervise construction works of the school. She said that the school will be ready before the end of next year.
