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On 9 January 2000, 20 young people from Yayasan Anak
Warisan Alam had flown off to what was to be an
adventure of a lifetime. The group included two girls
from Alor Setar, sponsored by Yayasan Sultanah Bahiyah.
They went on to sail on the training ship Leeuwin II, a
350 ton sailing ship based in Fremantle, Western
Australia. During their five day voyage, they worked
side by side and mastered the skills needed to sail a
large ship. Indeed, on the two final days they actually
commandeered the vessel! Who knows, perhaps there were a
few Datuk Azhar's in the making
The Yayasan wanted to put
the participants into an environment that none of them
had faced before, so a sea voyage on a sailing ship was
ideal. They were exposed to the wild beauty of the open
ocean, in the hope that they would begin to understand
the importance of the role of the sea in the lives of
all of us, and how it is being damaged by modern
civilization. They were spurred on to savour and
experience every single moment on the ship, to reflect
and think about who they really are, and why they were
there in the first place.
The Voyage had exposed them to a series of
challenges designed to stretch them mentally and
physically. As they mastered the skills that were
essential to sailing the ship, their self-confidence,
responsibility and community spirit were heightened, and
leadership and team-working skills were acquired.
Furthermore, as friendships were forged, a strong bond
developed between the Yayasan and her Australian
counterpart, the Millennium Kids Inc. of
Perth.
 The Yayasan plans to build
the Leeuwin experience into a larger programme of
environmentally-oriented, adventure-based activities for
young people. It also planned to form a working group
from the initial Leeuwin team who will be responsible
for the development and overall direction of this
programme. Thus it will be a programme of activities by
young people for young people.
YAYASAN ANAK WARISAN ALAM is a non-profit
organization, run entirely by volunteers, that is
dedicated to developing environmental commitment in
young people through thought provoking, fun filled
environmental activities. Our aim is to produce leaders
of the future who are committed in protecting the
environment. Our programmes are designed to enhance the
self-esteem of young people and allow their leadership
and team-working potential to blossom. The Yayasan wants
to change the way young people look at life and their
environment and to open their eyes to the unlimited
opportunities that await them.
The Yayasan is very fortunate to have the
support and sponsorship of the Malaysian Airlines
'Grads' scheme, Saujana Resorts Malaysia Berhad as well
as a number of private individuals.
"We must sail sometimes with the wind and
sometimes against the wind, but we must sail, and not
drift, nor lie at anchor"
-Oliver Wendell Holmes.
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