Kuala Lumpur

Dignity for Children

Despite ever-improving living standards in Malaysia, young people from poorer families often drop out of school to help put food on the table for their families.

Hassan, aged 23, experienced these pressures when growing up in Kuala Lumpur. However, his mother was determined to see him complete his education and, with her support, he graduated from school and joined forces with a group of peers to create the LEAD project.

Tapping into the local passion for football, LEAD uses the beautiful game to engage marginalised young people and teach them life skills such as teamwork, communication and dealing with victory and defeat. In doing so, it raises their awareness – and that of their parents – of the importance of education and helps set them back on the path to finishing school.