Hear a message of hope for children by UNICEF Malaysia's Representative Dr Rashed this World Children's Day.

A COLLECTION OF STUDENTS' VOICES

Since August 2020, we collected students' voices through written, drawn and verbal reflections on different experiences that they have gone through during this challenging time.

In conjunction with this year's World Children's Day, you will find below the collection of students' voices curated in different formats to help illustrate their unique experiences. These "voices" were collected both from online submissions and physical work posted by the teachers to VOCG organisers.

Through these "voices" we learned so much about our children and how they are coping with the new normal. There is so much hope and resilience in our youth.

Our children's stories

"MCO had given us an opportunity to spend time with our family. My dad normally works and comes back late at night. I won't get to talk to him. But this MCO helped me to spend more time him"
Vaishavi, 15 years old, Penang
"At first I felt happy because school was closed. Then I felt empty because I can't meet my friends. I also felt helpless and bored with so many online classes. I am worried about my eyes and my exams because I did not learn much. I also don't know how my interview to be a school prefect will go. Everything is on hold. I feel helpless.
Ann Chee, 14 years old, Melaka
"People who are affected more than others during COVID-19 are those like my neighbour. He lost his job during the COVID-19 pandemic due to his company not being able to afford to pay the salary to the employees during MCO. He had trouble paying for his bills and cover the expenses of his family because his wife does not work."
'Arisyha, 14 years old, WP Putrajaya
If I had to explain COVID-19 to children...
"Good morning, afternoon and evening to the most curious well-beings in the world! How is your quarantine going? Are you having fun with your family? I bet you are having lots of fun!  As many of you know, the world is sick right now. A bad virus has come and took many lives by making them sick. The virus name is Coronavirus or you may know it as Covid-19. To help the world get better, we should fight this virus. Just like the Avengers beat Thanos we can beat the bad virus by following what the government has announced with our most powerful shield and armour which is a face mask and hand sanitizers."
Aryssa 15 years old, Penang
"Many things have changed ever since MCO. I was a grumpy person and I always get mad even if it's a small thing but after MCO I learned to be more patient, to love my family members a lot and also be grateful for them. I really hope that we as Malaysians continue to fight covid-19 together"
Sadhanaa, 14 years old, Penang
"I actually learnt lots of new things during MCO!! I learnt how to cook, sew, I played with my young cousins, learnt how to dye my mum's hair and many more!
Nanphasorn,16 years old, Penang
"Before COVID-19, I love to go to other states because I love adventures. I love to do trekking, camping and taking pictures of beautiful scenaries. I love to enjoy my life. But after covid19, I am very sad because I cannot do my favourite activities because of SOP. So,I hope that this disease will end soon."
Niraj, 16 years old, Johor

MCO Chefs: What students "cooked" while they #stayathome

We asked students: What’s the funniest thing that happened during MCO?

We got students to draw before and after COVID environments.

Chua Wei Jie, 13, Negeri Sembilan
Rosini A/P Rajah, 14, Negeri Sembilan
Faris Dinie Rizal, 14, Negeri Sembilan

Watch the mini documentary series of the VOCG journey in the last 3 months.

Watch more highlights from our VOCG leaders and students

Milestone 1

Milestone 2

Milestone 3

Milestone 4

Milestone 5

JOIN US ON A JOURNEY AROUND MALAYSIA TO LOOK FOR STUDENTS' VOICES

We received more than 200 reflections and submissions from children all over Malaysia.

Click on the button below to start your own journey.

Join us on a virtual museum tour

This museum tour was put together based on the submissions by our students.

Click here to visit our VOCG museum