Norliza Nordeen

Norliza’s journey with refugees began in 2016, driven by curiosity about the refugee situation in Malaysia. She joined a voluntary group, venturing into refugee communities to assist new arrivals and connect those in need with resources. Before this, she spent nearly two decades abroad, where she studied engineering and built a career as an aviation data analyst and consultant.

In mid-2017, Norliza began tutoring English and Maths on Saturday mornings at Al-Ikhlas School, a primary-level refugee learning centre in Batu Caves serving Rohingya and Myanmar children. She soon discovered the school was struggling financially and at risk of closing. Determined to help, she launched the Al-Ikhlas Hope Project in January 2018, spearheading the “Adopt-A-Child-For-School” campaign to raise funds. Within weeks, generous support from Malaysians covered the school’s expenses for the entire year.

Buoyed by this success, Norliza formalised the initiative, registering it as the Al-Ikhlas Hope Society (AHS) a year later. Today, AHS continues to support Al-Ikhlas School with three main objectives: sustaining its financial needs, monitoring the quality of education, and supporting the students’ families and the broader refugee community in the area.

In addition to her work with AHS, Norliza oversees the administrative functions of the Refugee Emergency Fund (REF), which provides financial aid to refugees facing medical and livelihood crises, primarily in the Klang Valley. As REF’s fund coordinator, she plays a hands-on role in managing cases and ensuring aid reaches those in urgent need.

Juggling what has become a full-time calling with her roles as a wife, mother of three boys, and perpetual student, Norliza continues to dedicate herself to empowering refugees and creating opportunities for their future.

Making an impact for me would mean being able to lower barriers that unnecessarily suffocate and impede possibilities. It is to open up opportunities to allow people to be free to realise their potentials and reach for their dreams. Making an impact also means opening hearts and freeing minds from fear and being blinded from truths, so that injustices can end and fairness and respect can prevail.