UPDATE 31/05/2021: I've extended the fundraiser for another 2 weeks and it will end when MCO 4.0 is supposed to end.

If you don't have the patience to read, you can watch a video of me explaining why I'm fundraising here: 

Why am I doing this?

For those who don't know me well enough, gender-based violence (GBV) is deeply personal. To get a glimpse of why it's important to me, you can read a brief interview I did with UN Women here: https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2021/4/i-am-generation-equality-lauralyn

Since it's my birthday month, I would prefer everyone that sends me birthday greetings to turn those greetings into donations instead. Your donations will be used for a cause that supports those in need of trauma recovery and legal aid.

Why did I choose AWAM?

All Women's Action Society (AWAM) is a feminist NGO established in 1985 – just two years before I was born, yo! Now you know my age. ;)

AWAM focuses on supporting survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), including rape, domestic violence and sexual harassment. They provide free counselling services and legal information to anyone in crisis, irrespective of gender. I love that they also work directly with government agencies and ministries to advocate for policy change. In fact, AWAM has worked with many NGOs through the coalition called Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) to draft and propose a Sexual Harassment Bill. The bill will create a safer environment free from Sexual Harassment in both public and private spaces. More info here: https://www.awam.org.my/sexual-harassment-bill-campaign/

Since it's my birthday month and it coincides with Mental Health Awareness Month, all funds raised will be directed specifically to Tabung Telenita.

What is Tabung Telenita?

Nearly 2 years old, Tabung Telenita AWAM is a funding source for women who cannot afford legal and counselling fees.

Some of the funds from Tabung Telenita funds are used for AWAM to continue providing support via their helpline, TELENITA. This was especially crucial during the Movement Control Order (MCO) from March 2020 onwards. AWAM saw a high increase in domestic violence and sexual harassment cases. AWAM also plans to start a helpline that caters specifically to youth very soon. 

The fund is also vital to support the upgrading of TELENITA's phone systems and for the analysis of the TELENITA Database. Statistics from TELENITA are used to inform AWAM's advocacy and to help strengthen the fight against gender-based violence.

All funds in Tabung Telenita goes towards:

1. Expanding the accessibility of AWAM's free legal information & counselling services for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV).
2. Covering transport costs for survivors to go to the police station to make police reports & AWAM's volunteers who assist survivors in this process.
3. Covering legal administrative costs for GBV cases for those who need them.

Why RM8,888 as a target?

Initially, I was going to match the shortfall of the Tabung Telenita campaign (https://www.simplygiving.com/tabung-telenita-campaign-page), which would be around RM7,000. But, I decided to go with RM8,888 as my birthday falls on the 8th of May, plus I wanted to make it "ong" for those into lucky numbers. ;)

If each person donates at least RM50 (or ~12 USD), it would take 178 people to reach the target. I believe in you!

How will your donation make an impact?

RM50 (or ~12 USD) can transport 3 survivors to the police station to lodge reports.
That's around the cost of a three-course meal at a mid to high-range restaurant OR a six-pack of beer OR a cheap bottle of wine. If you have the privilege to afford the luxury, you can afford to donate.

RM100 (or ~24 USD) supports the costs of legal information hotline services for an average of 80 survivors per month.
Can you imagine? The amount you'd spend on 1 item of clothing at a chain store (e.g. Zara, H&M) can help 80 people in 30 days!

RM200 (or ~48 USD) makes it possible to give 3 counselling sessions for a survivor of gender-based violence.
Recovery is a journey, and 1 session is not enough to even unpack traumas and begin to heal.

You get to show that you care for me in a way that is incredibly meaningful.
For those that know me and can't celebrate my birthday with me for whatever reason, this is a great way to celebrate with me. I'll love you for donating and even if you can't, I'll love you for getting others to donate. I will never forget your support!

If you're Malaysian or working in Malaysia, your donation is tax-exempt. If you've recently filed your income tax, I knoooooow you know what I mean. If you don't, then we need to talk. ;p