From Silence to Strength: How Taufiq’s Story Sparked Voices at SMK Yaacob Latif
At SMK Yaacob Latif this past April, the room wasn’t just filled with students; it was filled with courage. Our Speechmakers Program, already known for helping students grow in confidence and communication, introduced a new chapter: a live podcast session. It was a leap forward, and at its heart was Taufiq, a young man whose voice had once been denied by borders, by circumstance, by the simple absence of a paper that says you belong. Now, his voice is lighting the way for others.
The Speechmakers Program is a youth-centered initiative by Solve Education! designed to help secondary school students improve their spoken English, confidence, and storytelling skills. Through workshops, peer-led discussions, speaking challenges, and innovative formats like podcasting, the program encourages students to express themselves clearly and meaningfully in English—regardless of their starting point. With support from the Saujana Cares Foundation, the program has engaged students from diverse backgrounds in Kuala Lumpur and beyond, helping them build communication skills that will serve them in school, life, and future careers.
The Weight of Words: Taufiq’s Journey
Taufiq stood in front of the students, not to perform, but to share. He didn’t use metaphors or grand gestures. He just told the truth. His story began with silence, the silence of being stateless. No identity card, protection, or access to the basic things that many take for granted.
He told the students about the time he had a severe gastric attack. “I didn’t want to go to the clinic because I knew I wasn’t a citizen,” he said. “But I had no choice. I was so sick and desperate. I ended up paying RM500 for treatment, while Malaysian citizens only pay RM1.”
That moment, simple and harrowing, settled in the room like a held breath.
It wasn’t just about money. It was about being made invisible by the system. And yet, here he was, visible, real, strong, and finally, free. Taufiq is now a Malaysian citizen. But more than that, he is someone who has chosen to use his hard-won voice to empower others, especially the youth who may still be finding theirs.
That day, the students listened not as an audience but as witnesses. And for many, it was the first time they saw speaking not just as a skill, but as a responsibility.
And just a few months later, during the final workshop of the Speechmakers Program on 24th September 2025, Taufiq’s journey came full circle. He was awarded First Runner-Up in the June 2025 Video Competition, along with other winners Qaseh, Lui, Yarshavie, Nawaroh, and Kaylie, a well-earned recognition of how far his voice has carried, not just across the room, but across platforms, communities, and hearts.
Podcasting as a Platform for Power
Our Speechmakers Program is built on innovation. Under our GAIN framework, Gamification, AI Coaching, Incentives, and Network, we’re constantly finding new ways to help learners step into their full potential. This podcast format isn’t just a tool for learning. It’s a vehicle for transformation.
It puts the mic into students’ hands. It makes them not just speakers, but producers of their own narratives. Students learn to ask better questions, to listen deeply, to speak from both mind and heart. And with the help of our AI-driven coaching on edbot.ai, their growth doesn’t stop at the end of the session; it continues long after, with personalized support every step of the way.
Through podcasting, we are not teaching public speaking. We are teaching presence. Ownership. Agency.
Global Perspective, Local Impact
We were honored to have Sensei Naw, a visiting educator from Japan, join us to observe the session. With decades of experience in empowering youth, she offered words of encouragement to the students and to us.
“You are not just teaching speaking,” she said. “You are teaching how to be brave.”
Her presence reminded us that innovation in education isn’t about flashy tech, it’s about empathy, relevance, and connection. And that’s exactly what our programs are designed to foster.
Why This Matters for Our Ecosystem
What happened at SMK Yaacob Latif wasn’t an isolated success; it was a demonstration of what happens when community, technology, and human stories come together. Our partners help make this possible. By working together, we’re building more than programs; we’re building platforms where young people like Taufiq and the students who listened to him can find their power.
To our funders and partners, this is a glimpse of the impact your support enables. You are not just backing an initiative, you are backing a future where courage is contagious, and where even a young person once silenced by the system can become the reason others begin to speak.
This is what innovation looks like at Solve Education! It’s not always in the code. Sometimes, it’s in the quiet after someone speaks their truth, and others realize they can, too.
With Gratitude
This journey would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our collaborators. We are deeply thankful to the Saujana Cares Foundation for championing inclusive, transformative education through the Speechmakers Program. Thank you also to the dedicated leadership of SMK Yaacob Latif, especially Principal Puan Zuraida Hamsian binti Mohamed Nasir, and to every teacher and student who brought life to this initiative. Your partnership doesn’t just support a program—it supports every learner’s right to be heard.
Read another amazing story here.