Research
The Asian Research Center for Child & Adolescent Development (ARCCADE) was established as an applied research center to address child and adolescent issues in Malaysia. In the area of preventive and competency enhancing interventions, our current efforts include the Mentoring Malaysia Positive Youth Development program for Secondary 1 and 2 students in the Klang Valley. The study of prevention science highlights the need to implement evidence-based programs and to conduct planful evaluations. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) provided funding for the pilot phase of Mentoring Malaysia in 2007, which was delivered to 320 teenagers and their 90-plus youth mentors.
Programs that are developed at ARCCADE take into consideration the local Malaysian context and cultural appropriateness, with high attention to program quality. Adolescents are actively involved in both process and outcome evaluations, which can be in the form of paper-and-pencil questionnaires, face-to-face interviews, or focus groups. Initial qualitative findings provide support that Mentoring Malaysia promotes Competence, Confidence, Character, Caring, Contribution, and Connections for Malaysian adolescents. In addition, adolescents report that the program facilitates positive youth outcomes and helps prevents problem behaviors (see some of the teens' comments below).
Opportunities exist for Malaysian undergraduates to be a part of this exciting applied research, either as research assistants, research interns, or youth mentors. <Click here for Volunteer Opportunities>
Our long-term vision is to develop, implement, and replicate evidence-based programs across the Asian region. In this way, youth across Asia can be recipients and partners in the promotion of Positive Youth Development.
What do Teenagers* say about Mentoring Malaysia?
Competence:
Social skills. Saya menjadi lebih suka berkomunikasi dan mengenal kawan baru. Mentoring Malaysia berbeza daripada aktiviti ko-kurikulum yang lain kerana pelajar-pelajar yang menyertai dapat berkomunikasi dengan lebih baik / I am now more communicative and like to make new friends. Mentoring Malaysia is different from other school activities because students who join can improve their communication skills (Chong, Form 2)
Confidence:
Sebelum Mentoring Malaysia, saya tidak yakin pada diri sendiri. Saya suka Mentoring Malaysia kerana saya dapat menghargai diri sendiri, dan mengasah bakat yang terpendam / Before Mentoring Malaysia, I was not confident of myself. I like the program because I got to appreciate myself, and to develop my hidden talents (Nurul, age 14)
Courage. Saya suka program MM kerana saya belajar tentang keberanian dari mentor-mentor saya, aktiviti aktiviti Mentoring dan Kids Act. Saya telah berani setelah menyertai Mentoring Malaysia / I like Mentoring Malaysia because I learnt about courage from my mentors, the Mentoring activities, and the Kids Act program. After joining the program I am now more brave (Khoon Yin, age 14)
Acting on stage. Saya berani membuat persembahan di atas pentas / I'm now brave to perform on stage (Tan, age 14).
Setelah menyertai Mentoring Malaysia saya menambah keyakinan untuk persembahan di atas pentas. Saya suka program MM kerana saya belajar teknik berlakon dari mentor-mentor saya. / After joining Mentoring Malaysia, I've increased confidence to act on stage. I like the program because I learnt acting techniques from my Mentors. (Pauline, Form 2).
Caring:
Empathy. Program ini membantu saya memikirkan perasaan orang lain / This program helps me think about other people's feelings (Wai Hoong, Form 2)
Character:
Self / Time-management. Selepas Mentoring Malaysia, saya telah berubah dalam masa saya. Saya tahu bagaimana saya gunakan masa dengan sesuai dan membuat peristiwa yang lebih penting dahulu / After Mentoring Malaysia, I have changed in my time (use). I know how to use my time appropriately, and to do the more important things first. (Joann, Form 2)
Appreciating diversity. Sebelum Mentoring Malaysia, saya tidak tahu macam mana bergaul dengan kawan bangsa lain. Saya suka program MM kerana saya banyak bergaul dengan bangsa lain / Before Mentoring Malaysia, I did not know how to interact with friends from a different race. I like Mentoring Malaysia because I interact more with other races (John, age 14)
Perseverance. Setelah saya menyertai Mentoring Malaysia, ibu bapa dan guru-guru cakap saya berubah sangat rajin. Saya belajar dari mentor saya yang kerajinan akan membawa kejayaan / After I joined Mentoring Malaysia, my parents and teachers say I've changed, more hardworking. I learnt from my mentor that perseverance will lead to success (Mei Ling, Form 2).
Connections:
Connecting with Peers and Friends: Masalah saya semasa di sekolah ialah saya tidak mempunyai ramai kawan dan saya selalu dipulaukan oleh mereka. Saya juga selalu bergaduh dengan keluarga saya. Tapi sejak memasuki MM saya mempunyai ramai kawan. / My problem when in school is I did not have many friends and I was always pushed away by them. I also always fought with my family. But since joining Mentoring Malaysia, I have many friends. (Lina, Form 2).
With positive role models or Mentors.
Menyertai Mentoring Malaysia sangat gembira dan mentor macam kakak dengan saya dan sangat baik / I'm very happy I joined Mentoring Malaysia; my Mentor was very good and like a sister to me (Khai Li, age 14)
Mentoring Malaysia sangat berbeza dengan aktiviti kokurikulum di luar kerana Mentoring Malaysia ada banyak kakak atau abang menggalakkan kita membuat perkara yang baik / Mentoring Malaysia is very different from outside co-curricular activities because Mentoring Malaysia has many sisters or brothers who encourage us to do good things. (Foong, Form 2)
Connecting with Teachers. Selepas Mentoring Malaysia, saya lebih banyak tanya soalan kepada guru. Saya suka program ini kerana saya dapat mengetahui lebih banyak ilmu / After Mentoring Malaysia, I now ask my teacher more questions. I like this program because I can gain more knowledge. (Chee Keong, Form 2 student)
Youth outcomes
School. Saya kini suka membuat kerja yang di beri oleh guru. Guru kata apabila saya menyertai kelab Mentoring, saya dapat menumpu perhatian semasa cikgu mengajar. / Now I enjoy doing the schoolwork given by teacher. My teacher says when I joined the Mentoring club, I am able to pay attention when teacher teaches. (Shalini, age 14)
Prevents problems, Provides positive opportunities. Saya akan menggalakkan belia lain menyertai Mentoring Malaysia kerana program ini akan mengelakkan seseorang remaja daripada terlibat dalam gejala-gejala negatif dan memberikan seseorang peluang untuk menunjukkan bakat mereka / I will encourage other teenagers to join Mentoring Malaysia because this program will prevent teenagers from being involved in negative social ills, and give them an opportunity to show off their talents (Vanitha, age 14).
Friendship and more. Before joining Mentoring Malaysia, I'm not a good friend maker. Changes in my life after the program is I'm confidence to make new friends and to take any challenges that was given to me (as long as it's not against my religion) (Fadzil, Form 2).
* Names of teenagers have been changed to ensure confidentiality
