PETALING JAYA, 4 March 2023 – RYTHM Foundation, the award-winning philanthropic arm of the global conglomerate QI Group, is excited to introduce the Maharani Learning Lab 2.0 (MLL 2.0), a space that offers a nurturing environment for marginalised adolescent girls to access after-school academic support, digital programmes, and empowerment sessions.
Located at The Zizz in Damansara Damai, MLL 2.0 provides participants with coaching in key subjects like Bahasa Malaysia, English, Science, and Mathematics to excel in their SPM exams. Digital training encompasses programmes like Canva, Microsoft Office, and coding, while personal development initiatives target enhancing self-awareness, confidence, communication skills, and leadership abilities.
The Foundation is actively combatting gender inequality by providing educational opportunities through initiatives like MLL 2.0, encouraging girls to pursue their ambitions, fostering leadership skills, and addressing societal disparities that disadvantage them.
In her inspiring address to MLL 2.0’s inaugural batch of participants, Datin Sri Umayal Eswaran, the Chairperson of RYTHM Foundation, said, “Every two minutes, a girl under 18 years old is married off. That is what we are working to change. If you do not stand up, seek independence, and fight for your rights, it will take 150 more years to end child marriages and violence (against women) and ensure your right to education. It is up to each of you to make this change today.”
The centre’s establishment signifies a commitment to profound change and empowerment. “It is about the transformative journey ahead,” Datin Sri Umayal stressed.
“We aim to shape the mindset and independence of participants, empowering them to lead. Our vision? These girls becoming leaders, supporting each other, and empowering the next generation at MLL and beyond.”
“By nature, boys have a lot. By societal practice, girls have lost a lot. We must regain what girls have lost and empower them – one girl at a time,” Datin Sri Umayal added.
The lab has made a difference for parents, seeing their daughters do better and gain confidence. Subhashini Muralidharan shared, “I have seen many positive changes in my daughter’s outlook on school and her future. She has developed new interests and learned to manage her time effectively. She eagerly participated in the lab’s activities over the recent school holidays.
“I am thankful to RYTHM Foundation. I hope MLL continues to engage more teenage girls, helping them grow beyond the confines of school, homework, and exams,” Subhashini remarked.
As a participant, 16-year-old Afiqah Umairah Asbarihan has witnessed a profound transformation in her approach to learning and her vision for her future.
“The Maharani Learning Lab is not just a place of study but where my growth is being nurtured,” said the student of SMK Damansara Damai.
“Through the guidance and support I receive, I am empowered to break barriers and challenge stereotypes. The MLL fosters an environment where my voice is heard, my potential is nurtured, and I can strive for a future where equality is not just a dream but a reality.”
The MLL began in 2015 with a learning centre in Sungai Siput, Perak, for children to study and participate in development programmes. In 2021, RYTHM conducted a thorough review of the initiative. One fundamental change was redirecting its focus to communities near the Foundation’s operational headquarters in the Klang Valley.
The MLL is vital to RYTHM’s flagship Maharani initiative alongside the Education Ministry-endorsed Maharani School Programme (MSP). Implemented with PINTAR Foundation, the MSP currently supports secondary school girls in several Selangor and Negri Sembilan schools.
The MSP has empowered over 8,000 girls aged 13 to 16 since 2010, fostering experiential learning and equipping them with essential skills and knowledge to pursue their full potential.
The MSP and MLL 2.0 mark a significant move toward offering crucial resources and support to young women. They also fit perfectly with the Foundation’s year-long #RiseWithRYTHM campaign. By broadening educational opportunities and promoting equality, they reflect a crucial campaign value: education as a critical driver of positive change.
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About RYTHM Foundation
RYTHM Foundation, the heart of social impact for the QI Group of Companies, champions Education, Empowerment, and Environmental Sustainability. An acronym for “Raise Yourself to Help Mankind,” RYTHM embodies the QI Group’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Since 2005, RYTHM Foundation has reached over 80,000 individuals across more than 20 countries, partnering with over 115 organisations to launch over 50 sustainable projects. Our initiatives, particularly in education, women’s empowerment, and inclusive support for youth and individuals with disabilities, have garnered international recognition, including prestigious awards in India, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Ghana.
Discover more about our impact and join us in making a difference at www.rythmfoundation.org
For media enquiries, please contact:
Anita Pandian (+6012-200 9645)
PR Manager, Communications
QI Group of Companies
