Malaysian Abhinav Kumar Nair Mukunda Kumar and Indonesian Kenneth Christopher Hendra, both 19 years old, are Asean scholarship recipients who founded Project Ivy in January with the aim of providing much-needed quality education to underprivileged children.

Studying at ACS Independent School in Singapore, these academic achievers are well aware that while education is a fundamental right, it unfortunately remains a privilege only for some.

“We were given the privilege to come to Singapore and study, so it’s only fair that I do my part and give back to my home country,” Abhinav told FMT Lifestyle.

Saddened by the declining education standards in Malaysia and Indonesia, and the alarming number of drop-outs, Abhinav and Hendra felt compelled to bridge the educational gap.

“I saw the stark disparity between education in Singapore and Indonesia, and it broke my heart to see children in my home country unable to reach their full potential,” shared Hendra.

Despite their different nationalities, the duo discovered common ground not only in their academic abilities but also in their shared vision for a brighter future.

Project Ivy became the embodiment of their collective goal – to serve the community and uplift the underprivileged through education.

In Malaysia, Project Ivy collaborates with The Peace Education Centre and the HiiChiiKok Foundation, both located in Kuala Lumpur.

The Peace Education Centre offers a safe haven for refugees from Myanmar who are denied public education in Malaysia, while the HiiChiiKok Foundation supports underprivileged Malaysian students from various communities.

Project Ivy’s dedicated volunteers conduct one-on-one online classes tailored to the specific needs of each student. And after only five months, 120 students from Malaysia and Indonesia have already benefited from Project Ivy.

Appreciating the importance of education, the Malaysian-Indonesian duo aspires to attend an Ivy League university, the inspiration for the name of their organisation, Project Ivy.

“Our mission is to provide every child with an opportunity for quality education, and the term ‘Ivy League’ perfectly encapsulates that vision,” said Abhinav.

There are 130 volunteers from secondary and tertiary institutions across Malaysia and Singapore who are part of Project Ivy, dedicating their time to teach English and Mathematics online on a weekly basis.

Many of these volunteer teachers are Asean scholarship recipients themselves just like Abhinav and Hendra.

“Despite the language barriers, our tutors managed to connect with their students and genuinely enjoyed the experience,” Abhinav said, adding that the online tuition not only aided students’ education but also helped foster cross-cultural connections.

What truly sets Project Ivy apart is the astounding impact of their online tuition sessions on students’ academic progress.

“We had this Indonesian student who had always been at the bottom of his English class. But after just a few weeks of learning from our tutors, he surprised everyone by becoming the top scorer on a test. It was like witnessing a complete transformation!” Hendra beamed.

Abhinav shared the touching story of a Malaysian student who initially faced many academic challenges.

“When she first joined us, she lacked confidence and had trouble understanding what was being taught in her classes.

“However, after joining Project Ivy and learning with us, she gained confidence. She started comprehending the lessons and even began explaining concepts to others. Witnessing her progress has been very rewarding.”

These stories are a testament to the positive impact that Project Ivy and their dedicated volunteers have on the lives of underprivileged students.

Although setting up Project Ivy has come with its fair share of challenges, Abhinav and Hendra remain resolute in their mission to continue widening their reach.

In the wise words of Nelson Mandela: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Abhinav and Hendra are wielding that very “weapon”, proving that scholars and students can make a profound impact on the lives of their peers.

Contact Abhinav and Hendra of Project Ivy at [email protected].