Debbie Choa, Co-founder & Chief Operating Officer of Projek57, Malaysia

In this episode, I am speaking to Debbie Choa, co-founder and chief operating officer of Projek57, a social enterprise in Malaysia that focuses on unity and youth. Projek57 began when its founders were dismayed that racial polarisation and religious tension kept rising in Malaysia and believed they needed to do something and enable Malaysians to stand together as one. Debbie and her husband, Collin started Projek57 with Collin’s long-time friend, Syed Sadiq Albar with the hope of bringing unity through youth engagement while giving back to the community. Working with corporations and youth, Projek57 has channelled more than RM400,000 to help the underprivileged in Malaysia through undertaking workshops and projects that foster unity in Malaysian youth. How did a lawyer, wife and mom like Debbie become a social enterprise founder? This is her story. Krista's note: It's apt that this episode airs today. The past week has been incredibly trying for many Malaysians who lost their homes and for some their lives during the flooding. Malaysians leveraged Twitter to ask for help and rallied supplies and resources in this time of need whether it was cooking food, donating supplies or even cleaning up mud-filled houses. What a fantastic demonstration of our true Malaysian spirit despite the tragic circumstances! I for one am so heartened by the Malaysian spirit - the very same spirit that Debbie and Projek57 is championing! More show notes at womenpreneurasia.com