A total of 36 students in Form Four and Form Five from four welfare homes in the Klang Valley are participating in a three-month youth development initiative designed to enhance their academic performance and life skills. The Youth Forward programme, launched by Tropicana Foundation in partnership with VitaHealth and SifuTutor, runs through October 31.
The programme offers Mathematics and Science tuition delivered at the welfare homes, accompanied by career counselling, social skills training, and mentorship. It aims to assist participants in preparing for the forthcoming Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations, while also equipping them with practical skills for life after secondary school, whether that involves further education or entering the workforce.
Tropicana Foundation developed the programme to address challenges commonly faced by youths in welfare settings, including disruptions to their studies, limited access to educational resources, and uncertainty regarding post-SPM opportunities. According to programme director Serena Lim, Youth Forward represents the foundation’s first major education initiative and underscores the organisation’s commitment to enabling all young people to reach their potential, irrespective of background.
“For this initial phase, we have selected 36 students who need additional academic and personal development support,” Lim stated. “Beyond improving their SPM results, we want to help these young people build confidence, resilience, and life skills to successfully navigate the next stages of their lives.”
The foundation intends to broaden the scope of Youth Forward in future phases and is inviting more corporate partners, educational institutions, and like-minded organisations to contribute to expanding the programme’s reach.
KS Beh, chief executive officer of Vita Life Sciences Malaysia and Singapore, highlighted the importance of student well-being within the initiative. “Good health is crucial for students to learn, grow, and pursue their ambitions,” he said. Beh expressed pride in partnering again with Tropicana Foundation to offer support that nurtures both the academic and well-being aspects of the students’ development.
Similarly, Syamil Yusoff, chief executive officer of Sifu Edu & Learning, emphasised education’s transformative power and the commitment to strengthening students’ academic foundations through the programme. He noted that every child deserves access to quality learning to fulfil their potential.
The welfare homes participating in Youth Forward include Yayasan Sunbeams Home, Pertubuhan Kebajikan Anak-Anak Yatim dan Miskin Klang, Rumah Hope, and Yayasan Wardatul Jannah. Tropicana Foundation plans to develop Youth Forward into a broader platform encompassing academic enrichment, mentorship, career exposure, financial literacy, and life skills training. The foundation is also exploring partnerships that would expand scholarship access, higher education opportunities, and employment pathways for programme beneficiaries.