Projek57 hopes to sell 100,000 unity ribbons to help underprivileged youths

In the countdown to Hari Merdeka and Hari Malaysia, social enterprise Projek57 is targeting to sell 100,000 Unity Ribbons to Malaysians this year, with 100 per cent of the profits to be channelled to Orang Asli and underprivileged youth communities.

Inspired by the Jalur Gemilang flag, the Unity Ribbon was launched by Projek57 in 2018. The Unity Ribbon is handmade by Orang Asli youths, the disabled and underprivileged. Priced at RM3 each, the ribbon features the iconic silhouette of the country’s first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman’s face.

Over the last two years approximately 260,000 Malaysians bought and wore the ribbon which serves as a symbol of patriotism and unity, and hope for a better future for all Malaysians.

Since its inception in 2015, Projek57 and its partners have been able to empower youth communities in need by raising close to RM300,000 through the sale of the Unity Ribbon as well as premium quality cotton t-shirts and other merchandise featuring unique home-grown designs with messages of unity.

Co-Founder of Projek57 Syed Sadiq Albar said, “This has been an exceptionally tough year and it is only by standing together as one that we can move forward as a nation. Ours is a simple message but one that binds us as Malaysians. Together with our partners and youth organisations, we will continue to reach out to needy communities with Projek57’s Youth Movement of Hope.”

Projek57 is collaborating with Undi18, Nation Building School, Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (ABIM) and several other youth organisations and NGOs this year.

Unity Ribbon workshops are also held to hand-make the ribbons while instilling the message of hope among the participants.

Those interested can also purchase t-shirts and polo shirts featuring Tunku Abdul Rahman and patriotic messages. There are various designs and sizes available for all ages.

All merchandise are available at https://www.projek57.com/shop/, Pos Malaysia outlets nationwide, Village Grocer & Ben’s Independent Grocer, A&W Malaysia, Madam Kwan’s and the APOM stores.

“By instilling the values of the Rukun Negara, namely patriotism, diversity, unity and progressiveness, we hope to encourage our youth to find their voice and make a difference in their lives and for those around them.” Co-Founder Collin Swee added.

The social enterprise has also teamed up with Earth Heir this year to create Fair Trade reusable cloth face masks hand-embroidered with Projek57’s iconic silhouette of Tunku Abdul Rahman which start at RM30.

The mask comes with a filter pocket and has been tested in Hong Kong by a medical practitioner, with up to approximately 90% effectiveness. The exclusive face mask can be purchased from the Earth Heir’s website at https://earthheir.com/collections/fair-trade-refugee-made-reusable-face-mask/products/projek-57-x-earth-heir-tunku-mask.

For more information, please visit https://www.projek57.com/ or visit Projek57’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/projek57, Twitter page at https://twitter.com/projek_57 or Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/projek57/.