From Camps to Careers: The impact of RYTHM Foundation’s Maharani initiative

“If you educate a girl child, she will be empowered when she becomes a woman. Women are half the world’s population, so why leave that potential behind?” emphasised Datin Sri Umayal Eswaran, the Chairperson of RYTHM Foundation, during an interview on Agenda AWANI on March 5.

The initiative began 14 years ago with just 20 participants from a girls’ home and has since evolved into a comprehensive programme spanning multiple states.

Datin Sri Umayal reflected on the Maharani journey, describing it as challenging yet rewarding. “The camps eventually expanded into other states in collaboration with schools and with the approval of the (Education) Ministry.”

The Maharani programme’s core focus is on instilling confidence and independence in the girls involved. “We have seen changes in many of them, from being quiet girls to confident individuals. Maharani is about teaching that confidence and independence in them and saying to them, ‘You can go out there and achieve whatever you set out to do.’”

In 2015, the launch of the Maharani Learning Lab (MLL) in Sungai Siput, Perak marked a pivotal moment in the flagship programme’s expansion. Initially providing academic coaching and soft skill-building activities, the MLL has seen remarkable success stories, including a girl who contemplated dropping out of school but eventually received a scholarship to study medicine.

“The girl’s mother was a rubber tapper and her father an odd-job worker,” Datin Sri Umayal said, illustrating the programme’s focus on participants from B40 households. “This is one example of how they can achieve anything despite their circumstances.”

She highlighted the programme’s impact: “Over the years, many of the girls have completed school, earned their diplomas, and ventured into various industries such as public relations, event management, or administrative roles.”

Today, the MLL has evolved into MLL 2.0, a contemporary education and personal growth hub in Damansara Damai. This upgraded facility offers after-school academic assistance, digital initiatives, and empowerment workshops to prepare girls for 21st-century learning and careers.

Another vital component of the broader Maharani initiative is the Education Ministry-endorsed Maharani School Programme (MSP). The MSP currently supports deserving secondary school girls in 10 schools across Selangor and Negri Sembilan with similar mentorship and activities.

The Foundation envisions integrating the Maharani initiative into the national school curriculum, ensuring every student can benefit from its empowering programmes.

The MSP and MLL 2.0 also align with the Foundation’s year-long ‘Rise With RYTHM’ campaign, which highlights education’s pivotal role as a catalyst for positive change, expands opportunities, and champions equality. To learn more, visit RiseWithRYTHMxAwani