I Rose With RISE

Full Name: Hajijah binti Bakar 
Country: Malaysia
Location: Sarawak 
Batch No.: Phase 2, Batch 40
Date Trained: 15-17 October 2016
Disability: Hunch back since birth
Business: Sells Ice pop and Snack
Average Monthly Income Before: 0
Average Monthly Income After: RM 500

Some people are born healthy and strong, but Hajijah was born with a condition that affected her life tremendously. She suffered from slow bone growth which gradually caused her spine to curve and she suffered from a curved spine. This did not hold her back from finding her true love. She married the love of her life and they adopted a child together in attempt to build the perfect family that they desired.

As things we starting to look up, God decided to place another test in her life. Her husband suddenly fell ill and it affected his mental health. Being unable to continue working, Hajijah had to take over his role as the sole breadwinner in the family. Her entire family relied on the income she got from part time babysitting and the minimal amount of allowance provided by the welfare department. It was in these tough times when Hajijah was working hard to provide for the family, that her adopted daughter decided to run off with her boyfriend and then went back to her biological parents, leaving Hajijah and her husband in deeper despair. Seeing their daughter whom they brought up with much love and care abandon them, left a hole in their hearts.

Aside from being abandoned by their beloved daughter, Hajijah also faced discrimination from her own flesh and blood. She was condemned simply because she lived a poor life due to the difficulties she faced. Hajijah was pointed out as being a burden to others. All these stressful events in her life eventually caused her to be consumed with depression. Her depression reached a critical point where Hajijah wanted to end it all by taking her own life, to stop all the suffering in her life. She tried to pick herself up again by trying to add a ray of happiness to her empty life, she adopted another child, this time, a son. They were once again complete, as a family but alas, tradegy struck again. A few years after adopting their son, Hajijah’s husband met with a terrible accident. Not expecting such a terrible incident to to occur, left Hajijah in a constant state of fear for her husbands life and hopelessness over her future.

It was at this time, the lowest point in her life, that Hajijah was invited to join the Maybank R.I.S.E Programme. During the three day training sessions, she was enlightened to a whole new world of endless possibilities. With all the knowledge gained, Hajijah was motivated and determined to take a leap of faith by starting a small business. After the third day of training, she went back home, took out an old canopy and table that she had stored away and set it up in front of her house. By using just these two items, she managed to set up a snack and drinks station. From running this small stall, Hajijah was earning as much as 20 cents to RM5 daily. Even though it might not be a huge amount in the eyes of others, it still made a difference to Hajijah. There were still days where she earned nothing and to make it worse, the local children would take advantage of her mentally ill husband (who had to sometimes help her by manning the stall when she was not around), by stealing some of the snacks, as they knew that he was unable to stop them. This did not break Hajijah’s spirit, it instead made her more determined to keep on fighting to change the fate of her family. The thought of her husband and son was her push factor to never give up.

As time passed, her business started to become more fruitful. Her income gradually increased, so much so, that she could afford to sell home-cooked meals for her customers. She diversified her menu and added more items such as fried snacks and noodles as well. With the profit gained, she used it to reinvest in her business by buying new chairs and tables for her customers to feel more comfortable and welcome. Besides being able to upgrade her business, she could now afford to provide the life that she has always wanted her family to have. She was proud and overjoyed that she could finally replace the second hand school uniform that her son was wearing with new ones now. As her life started turning around for the better, she gradually overcame her depression. Hajijah focused most of her energy into keeping herself busy with her business so she could build an even better life for her family.

Hajijah’s hard work and effort did not go unnoticed. Now that Hajijah was an independent business owner who was able to provide well for her own family, the villagers in her area started showing her more respect and admiration. This not only created a sense of dignity and pride in her but also made her feel that she was as capable as any other person, maybe even better. She started believing more and more in herself. As a result of that, she finally mustered enough courage to step up further by getting her own driving license so that she didn’t need to rely on others. Aside from upgrading her standard of living, Hajijah also realised the importance of savings and created an education fund for her son, a thought that had never crossed her mind before the R.I.S.E programme.

Hajijah could never forget all the hardships that she and family went through. It was a rough journey filled with despair, disappointment, hardship and finally some joy. All these are now life lessons to Hajijah, something that she is equipping and educating her son with now to prepare him to face his own future. She mentioned that her son has managed to mature beyond his age and is now learning how to be independent and responsible. Hajijah is working on expanding her business by partnering with a friend who also happens to be disabled. Hajijah has managed to turn her life around and hopes to do so for others. She feels the Maybank R.I.S.E. programme came into her life at a critical point, without it she doesn’t know where she would be today.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Have questions about partnering with Maybank Foundation for BSAS 2027? Find out more about the programme, application requirements and selection process below.

A. About BSAS 2027

  1. What is the Balai Seni Art Series (BSAS)?
    The Balai Seni Art Series (BSAS) is a Maybank Foundation initiative that supports the development and appreciation of arts and culture through programmes that nurture artistic talent, preserve cultural heritage and create meaningful opportunities for arts and cultural practitioners and communities.

  1. What programmes are open for applications under BSAS 2027?
    Organisations may apply to partner with Maybank Foundation under any of the following programmes:

        • MyTIGER Values Art Competition (MTVAC)
        • Cultural Art Showcase and Bazaar (CASB)
        • Maybank Foundation Artist Fellowship Programme (MFAFP)
        • New Arts & Culture Programme – an open-concept programme for proposed arts and culture initiatives. 

  1. Can an organisation apply for more than one programme?
    Yes. Organisations may apply for one, multiple or all four programmes. A separate proposal, including the proposed approach, implementation plan and budget, must be submitted for each programme applied for.

B. Eligibility and Requirements

  1. Who is eligible to apply?
    Registered organisations with relevant experience and capabilities in arts, culture or creative programme delivery across ASEAN are invited to apply. Applicants should demonstrate their ability to develop, manage and deliver programmes aligned with the objectives of the selected BSAS programme.

  2. Can organisations based outside Malaysia apply?
    Yes. Eligible organisations from ASEAN Member States may apply. Organisations outside Malaysia should submit the equivalent legal registration or establishment documents recognised in their respective countries.

  3. Can an organisation apply if it has not previously partnered with Maybank Foundation?
    Yes. Organisations that have not previously worked with Maybank Foundation may apply, provided they meet the eligibility requirements and can demonstrate relevant experience, capabilities and a suitable approach to delivering the proposed programme.

  1. What should be included in the proposal deck?
    Each proposal deck should be tailored to the selected programme and include the following:

    1. Programme Overview: Proposed concept, objectives and alignment with the selected BSAS programme.
    2. Approach and Value Proposition: Programme design, delivery approach and the needs or opportunities addressed.
    3. Target Beneficiaries and Intended Impact: Target audience, expected reach, key outcomes and measurable impact.
    4. Scope of Work and Deliverables: Key activities, implementation plan, timeline, milestones and expected outputs.
    5. Partnership and Delivery Capability: Proposed team, relevant experience, key partners and resources required.
    6. Budget and Funding Request: Itemised budget, funding requested and any co-funding or other resources, where applicable.
    7. Sustainability and Scalability: Plans to sustain outcomes, extend impact or scale the programme beyond the implementation period.
    8. Monitoring and Evaluation: Proposed indicators and methods to track progress, measure results and report impact.

  1. What supporting documents must be submitted?
    Applicants should provide the required organisational information, relevant legal registration or establishment documents, and a proposal deck for each programme selected. Additional information or supporting documents may be requested during the assessment and due diligence processes.

C. How to Apply

  1. How can an organisation submit an application?
    Interested organisations should complete the BSAS 2027 Partner Application Form through the application link provided on Maybank Foundation’s website. Applicants must select their preferred programme(s) and upload the corresponding proposal deck for each programme.

  1. What is the application deadline?
    The application deadline is 8 November 2026, 11:59 PM MYT (UTC+8). Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications and supporting documents before the deadline to allow sufficient time for review.

  1. What happens after an application is submitted?
    Applications will undergo an evaluation process to assess their suitability for the selected programme. Shortlisted organisations may be contacted for further information, clarification or supporting documents and may be required to undergo Maybank Foundation’s due diligence, compliance checks and procurement processes.

  1. What happens if an application is incomplete or additional information is required?
    Maybank Foundation may request clarification, additional information or supporting documents where necessary. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their submissions are complete and that the information provided is accurate.

D. Evaluation and Selection

  1. How will applications be evaluated?
    Applications will be assessed based on their alignment with the objectives of the selected BSAS programme, the strength and relevance of the proposed concept, expected outcomes and impact, implementation approach, organisational capability, budget and overall feasibility.

  1. Does submitting an application guarantee selection or appointment as a programme partner?
    No. Submission of an application does not guarantee selection or appointment as a BSAS 2027 programme partner. All applications are subject to evaluation and the relevant approval, due diligence and procurement processes.

  1. When will successful applicants be notified?
    Applications will be evaluated from 9 November to 15 December 2026, with the selection outcomes scheduled for consideration by the Maybank Foundation Board. Further information on the announcement of successful applicants will be communicated when available.

E. General Enquiries

  1. Who can I contact if I have further questions?
    For enquiries regarding the BSAS 2027 Partner Application, please contact Maybank Foundation through the general enquiry in the “Who We Are” section provided on the website.