Through a collaborative craft workshop, APU student volunteers helped underprivileged children discover the joy of handmade creations while nurturing confidence, practical skills and entrepreneurial thinking.

Image

A simple thread, a little creativity and a willingness to learn can open doors to new possibilities. For nine young participants at Pusat Kreatif Kanak-Kanak Tuanku Bainun (PKKTB), a hands-on bookmark-making workshop became an opportunity to discover their talents, build confidence and explore the potential of entrepreneurship. 

Held on 26 September 2026 at PKKTB in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, the Handcraft Bookmark Session was jointly organised by Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU)’s Sustainable Future Fusion (SFF) Club and Soroptimist International Club of Shah Alam (SISA).

The initiative supported PKKTB’s mission of providing a safe, inclusive environment where underprivileged children and youths can develop creativity, confidence and essential life skills through arts education.

Learning Creativity, One Stitch at a Time

Guided by Ms Faridah Md Yasin, a tutor and mentor from SISA, and assisted by Ms Linda Abeysekera, participants learned basic crochet and knitting techniques, transforming simple yarn and thread into colourful handmade bookmarks.

From mastering their first stitches to experimenting with patterns, the young learners discovered that creativity goes hand in hand with patience, concentration and perseverance.

Supporting them were nine APU student volunteers, including Rida Shaikh, a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Psychology student, and Zainab Waseem, a Foundation in Business, Finance & Social Sciences student, alongside seven other Foundation and Diploma students.

Through patient guidance and encouragement, the volunteers helped participants overcome challenges and take pride in their creations.

From Handmade Crafts to Entrepreneurial Possibilities

Coordinated by Ms Cynthia Mala Paul Dorairaj, Lecturer at APU’s School of Business and Adviser to the SFF Club, the workshop went beyond developing craft skills by introducing young learners to social entrepreneurship.

The completed bookmarks were prepared for display and sale at the Children's Day, Mental Health Awareness and Pink October community event, scheduled for 10 October 2026 at Dapurku, Setia Alam.

This provided participants with an introduction to the entrepreneurial process, from creating and refining products to preparing them for potential customers.

More importantly, they learned that entrepreneurship need not begin with substantial capital or complex ideas. Sometimes, a handmade bookmark and the confidence to share one's creativity are enough to take the first step.

Strengthening Partnerships, Empowering Communities

Beyond creativity and entrepreneurship, the initiative reinforced APU’s commitment to experiential learning, volunteerism and sustainable community engagement.

It supported four United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) through positive social interaction; SDG 4 (Quality Education) through inclusive, hands-on learning; SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) through entrepreneurial exposure; and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through community collaboration.

The programme also advanced the objectives of the existing APU–PKKTB Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), particularly in knowledge sharing, skills development and community empowerment.

Beyond the Classroom: Lessons That Matter

For APU volunteers, the experience was equally enriching.

“Helping the children practise crochet and knitting reminded me how learning becomes meaningful when we work together. I enjoyed seeing their confidence grow as their ideas turned into handmade products,” shared Rida.

Zainab echoed this sentiment: “This experience showed me how a simple craft workshop can build creativity, patience and entrepreneurial thinking. Supporting the children and celebrating their progress made the session rewarding for me as a volunteer.”

Ultimately, the workshop demonstrated how small acts of kindness, shared knowledge and creative expression can leave a lasting impression.

What began with a simple thread became a meaningful connection between young learners, student volunteers and community mentors - proving that even the smallest stitches can weave together opportunities for a brighter future.