In a world where waste is often overlooked and opportunities are unevenly distributed, a group of passionate students from Albukhary International University (AIU) are proving that change can begin with a single bottle — and a powerful idea.
Meet Trashformers, a student-led initiative under the 3ZERO Club (ID 458-021-0093) that’s redefining sustainability and education through creativity, compassion, and community action.
Their mission?
To transform waste into worth — and education into empowerment.
♻️ The Birth of Trashformers
Led by Desti Anggri (Bachelor of Elementary Education) and Lovely Amanda (Bachelor of Media and Communication) as deputy, Trashformers is powered by a dynamic team of change-makers — Yusuf Adiwijaya (Bachelor of Economics), Marina Santri (Bachelor of Media and Communication), and Fitra Irpandi (Bachelor of Politics and International Relations).
Together, they blend environmental responsibility with educational outreach, driven by the belief that small actions can lead to lasting transformations.
Guided by advisors Madam Aini Syahira Jamaluddin (School of Education and Human Sciences) and M. Nur Darina Ibrahim (AIU Language Centre), and supported by ACE-SEDI, the team embodies AIU’s 5A Core Values — Amanah, Adab, Akhlaq, Altruism, and Action — through real-world impact.
📚 Education That Transforms Lives
Every Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., the classrooms at School A, AIU Language Centre, come alive with laughter, learning, and hope.
Trashformers currently provides English and Mathematics tuition classes to 22 underserved children from Kampung Padang Chepa, Alor Setar, aged between 7 and 12 years old.
But this isn’t just about tutoring.
It’s about giving every child — regardless of background — a fair chance to learn, dream, and build a better future.
“We wanted to make education accessible and fun,” said Desti.
“But more importantly, we wanted to make it sustainable — both environmentally and socially.”
💡 A Social Business Model With Heart
True to its name, Trashformers takes an innovative approach:
each child’s participation fee is RM50 per month, with RM10 payable in recyclable materials such as plastic bottles and paper.
This ingenious model not only reduces financial barriers but also raises environmental awareness — teaching children that even waste holds value when seen through the right lens.
It’s education with a conscience — where every lesson leaves both minds and the planet a little brighter.
🌱 Sustainability in Action
The first learning cycle, launched on 13 September 2025, will run until 6 December 2025, led by 15 dedicated student-teachers from the School of Education and Human Sciences (SEHS).
Through structured lessons, interactive games, and creative recycling activities, the program nurtures both academic excellence and environmental responsibility — shaping the next generation of learners and leaders.
“The children are incredibly motivated,” said Lovely Amanda.
“When they bring their bottles and papers, they come with pride — because they know they’re contributing to something bigger than themselves.”
🌏 Embodiment of the 3ZERO Vision
Trashformers stands as a living embodiment of the 3ZERO mission —
Zero Poverty. Zero Carbon Emissions. Zero Unemployment.
It also reflects the spirit of the AIU 8-Hour Rule, encouraging students to dedicate part of their week to meaningful community service and social innovation.
Through Trashformers, education becomes a bridge — connecting compassion with action, sustainability with learning, and students with their purpose.
✨ Turning Waste Into Worth, One Lesson at a Time
The journey of the Trashformers is a powerful reminder that real change doesn’t require perfection — it requires participation.
By transforming waste into wisdom, these young leaders are not only shaping a cleaner planet but also a more educated, empowered, and empathetic society.
Because when we invest in education — and when we see value even in what others discard — we truly begin to transform the world from the ground up.
