The Suara Bumi 2024 program, or Voices of the Earth, has wrapped up with incredible success, leaving an inspiring trail of empowered young environmentalists in Perak! This exciting initiative brought together Roots & Shoots Malaysia, the Girl Guides Association Malaysia (Perak branch), and EKO-EKO, with fantastic support from Yayasan Hasanah, the Ministry of Finance, and The Habitat Foundation.

Focused on the beautiful, biodiversity-rich state of Perak, Suara Bumi aimed to turn Girl Guides into powerful spokespersons for the environment. And wow, did they deliver! After receiving 82 applications, the program selected 30 passionate participants who embarked on a life-changing adventure at the Suara Bumi Bootcamp in March 2024, held in the historic town of Taiping. Here, they honed their skills with expert mentors, preparing for an exciting journey of outreach and advocacy.

These eco-champions didn’t stop there—they took their mission to schools and communities, reaching a whopping 19,352 people and collecting 15,842 surveys. Whether speaking to classmates or engaging with the public, their message was loud and clear: biodiversity matters!

The grand finale? A star-studded graduation ceremony in Kuala Kangsar, graced by none other than Her Royal Highness Tuanku Zara Salim and Her Royal Highness Tunku Soraya. The Top finalists dazzled the crowd with presentations of their projects, earning well-deserved applause and cash prizes to bring their visions to life. The top three finalists received RM3,000 each, and the fourth-place finalist took home RM500—a little boost to make a big difference!

Get ready to be inspired! The Suara Bumi 2024 finalists turned their ideas into real-life projects that made an impact:

• Nur Syahmina created the Hornbill Corner at SMK Sri Perak, turning her school into a hub for biodiversity conservation.
• Ghayathri made waves with her Waves of Hope project, using Daisy the Dolphin to highlight the need for ocean conservation.
• Zarra Amani hosted Save Penny and Friends Day on the idyllic Pulau Pangkor, where Penny the Turtle stole hearts while raising awareness about marine life.
• Nur Sumaiiya led the exciting WildQuest Explorace, an adventure-filled event inspiring action for wildlife and biodiversity in Malaysia.

Suara Bumi 2024 didn’t just empower young leaders—it sparked a movement. These passionate Girl Guides are now eco-advocates who’ve proven that with a little guidance, a lot of heart, and a dash of creativity, anything is possible.

From classrooms to communities, the program has planted seeds of hope for a greener, more sustainable future. Suara Bumi 2024 is living proof that when young voices rise together, they can truly become the Voices of the Earth! 🌏✨