By Zaki Salleh
Photo: From Emily2u
IPOH, Feb 23 — Achieving the ambition of obtaining the prestigious Pandu Puteri Raja Award is no empty dream.
The award is not merely a certificate, but reflects the transformation of a girl into a knowledgeable, capable and virtuous young woman.
It is also the highest honour in Persatuan Pandu Puteri Malaysia (Girl Guides Association of Malaysia) and is typically presented by the Raja Permaisuri Agong as the association’s Royal Patron.
This is exemplified by Aysha Zahra Anuar, 17, an Ipoh-born student who is currently in Form Five at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Perempuan Methodist (MGS).
Aysha is among five Pandu Puteri Raja Award candidates who will represent the Perak Girl Guides in receiving the honour this year.
Among the prerequisites for the Pandu Puteri Raja Award is the completion of a three-month community service programme.
This marks the final stage of numerous challenges that Aysha has undertaken since Form One in her pursuit of the award.
Recalling her journey, Aysha said her involvement in the Girl Guides began as early as Year Four.
She has also been actively involved in school activities from primary through secondary levels, participating in various community programmes and engaging in dance activities up to the national level.
The three-month community service programme required Aysha to raise funds through sales or employment, with the proceeds channelled to a selected charitable organisation.
Contributions were made in the form of essential goods rather than cash.
In total, she successfully raised RM1,200.
According to Aysha, she raised the funds by selling souvenirs and pre-loved clothing online.
She also assisted with office and hotel work for three hours, three times a week at Team Keris Berhad and Hotel Symphony, in addition to carrying out general work at her father’s friends’ homes during weekends over the past three months.
“However, in December last year, these efforts were temporarily delayed as I was selected for a student exchange programme in Fukuoka, Japan.
“Fortunately, all efforts were made easier when the community service programme concluded with the presentation of goods purchased entirely from my three months’ earnings to Maahad Darus Salam,” she said.
Earlier, dressed in her Girl Guides uniform, Aysha handed over the contributions to a representative of Maahad Darus Salam in Tambun.
Speaking further, Aysha said she will now fully focus on preparations for her Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination at the end of the year.
It is hoped that the Pandu Puteri Raja title will soon belong to Aysha.
