Social Welfare Department

Strengthening Community Bonds

Supporting social wellbeing and cultural preservation

Our Mission

The Social Welfare Department of Zomi Association of Malaysia is dedicated to supporting the social, cultural, and emotional wellbeing of the Zomi refugee community. We organize community-building activities, preserve cultural traditions, provide social support services, and create spaces for connection and engagement.

Displacement can disrupt community bonds and cultural practices, leading to isolation and loss of identity. Our department addresses these challenges by facilitating community gatherings, cultural celebrations, recreational activities, and support services that strengthen community connections and preserve Zomi heritage in the context of displacement.

Department History

The Social Welfare Department was established in 2009 to address the social and cultural needs of the growing Zomi refugee community in Malaysia. What began as occasional community gatherings has grown into a comprehensive program of regular events, cultural activities, sports programs, and social support services.

Over the years, we have organized hundreds of community events, established regular sports and recreation activities, developed cultural preservation initiatives, and built support systems for community members facing hardship. These efforts have helped maintain a strong sense of community despite the challenges of refugee life.

ZAM Social Welfare Department Team

Our Social Welfare team organizing a community gathering

25+
Community events annually
500+
Community members engaged
14
Years building community

Our Social Welfare Programs

Comprehensive initiatives for community wellbeing

Community Events

We organize regular community gatherings, celebrations, and events that bring Zomi refugees together, foster connections, and provide opportunities for social engagement and mutual support.

  • Holiday celebrations
  • Community dinners
  • Cultural festivals
  • Family activities

Cultural Preservation

We maintain and promote Zomi cultural traditions through language classes, cultural performances, traditional arts workshops, and cultural knowledge transmission activities for both adults and children.

  • Traditional music and dance
  • Zomi language preservation
  • Cultural workshops
  • Heritage documentation

Sports & Recreation

We organize sports teams, tournaments, and recreational activities that promote physical health, team building, youth engagement, and positive community interaction in a refugee context.

  • Soccer leagues
  • Volleyball teams
  • Youth sports programs
  • Annual tournaments

Crisis Support

We provide support for community members facing personal crises, including emergency assistance, counseling referrals, community fundraising for those in need, and coordination with other support services.

  • Emergency relief
  • Community fundraising
  • Support coordination
  • Resource connection

Funeral Services

We coordinate dignified funeral arrangements for deceased community members, providing cultural and religious support, logistical assistance, and community gathering facilitation during times of loss.

  • Funeral coordination
  • Cultural rites facilitation
  • Community support mobilization
  • Family assistance

Community Integration

We facilitate positive interaction between the Zomi community and Malaysian society through cultural exchange events, community education, and bridge-building activities with local communities.

  • Cultural exchange programs
  • Community awareness initiatives
  • Cross-cultural activities
  • Neighborhood engagement

Cultural Celebrations

Preserving heritage and building community through traditional events

Cultural celebrations play a vital role in maintaining Zomi identity, passing traditions to younger generations, and creating moments of joy and connection during the challenging journey of displacement. Our department organizes several key cultural events throughout the year.

Zomi National Day Celebration

Zomi National Day

February 20th

An annual celebration featuring traditional performances, cultural exhibitions, speeches highlighting Zomi history and identity, and community meals. The event brings together hundreds of community members to honor their shared heritage.

Harvest Festival

Traditional Harvest Festival

October

A celebration of agricultural traditions featuring traditional music, dance, foods, and customs related to harvest time. The festival incorporates traditional games, storytelling, and expressions of gratitude that reflect Zomi agricultural heritage.

Christmas Celebration

Christmas Celebration

December

A large community gathering that blends Christian traditions with Zomi cultural elements. The celebration includes carol singing in Zomi languages, traditional performances, gift exchanges, and a community feast shared among hundreds of participants.

Cultural Workshop

Cultural Workshops

Monthly

Regular workshops teaching traditional arts, music, dance, language, cooking, and crafts. These sessions particularly focus on intergenerational knowledge transfer, with elders teaching younger community members traditional skills and cultural practices.

The Impact of Cultural Preservation

Our cultural events and preservation activities create multiple benefits for the refugee community:

Identity Preservation

Maintaining connection to cultural roots and heritage

Intergenerational Bonds

Creating bridges between elders and youth

Psychological Wellbeing

Providing familiarity and belonging amid displacement

Community Cohesion

Strengthening shared bonds through collective celebration

Sports & Recreation

Building community and promoting wellbeing through physical activity

Sports and recreational activities play a crucial role in our community-building efforts, providing physical, social, and psychological benefits for refugees of all ages. These programs offer opportunities for healthy activity, positive social interaction, and moments of joy amid the challenges of refugee life.

Zomi Football League

Our flagship sports program includes multiple teams organized by age groups, with regular practices, matches, and annual tournaments. The league engages over 150 participants, with teams competing against other refugee communities and local Malaysian teams.

Volleyball Teams

Both men's and women's volleyball teams practice weekly and participate in community tournaments. The program has been particularly important for providing structured recreational activities for women and girls in the community.

Youth Sports Program

Designed specifically for children and teenagers, this program offers a variety of sports activities, basic physical education, and games that develop coordination, teamwork, and healthy habits from an early age.

Annual Zomi Cup

A major annual tournament bringing together teams from different Zomi communities across Malaysia. The multi-day event includes competitions in football, volleyball, and traditional Zomi games, becoming a significant cultural and community gathering.

Benefits of Our Sports Programs:

  • Physical Health: Regular exercise and activity improving overall wellbeing
  • Mental Health: Stress reduction and positive psychological impacts
  • Youth Engagement: Positive activities and mentorship for young people
  • Community Bonds: Strengthened relationships through shared activities
  • Positive Identity: Pride in team achievements and representation
Zomi Football Team Youth Sports Activities Volleyball Team Annual Zomi Cup

Community Support Services

Standing together during times of hardship

Beyond cultural and recreational activities, our department provides critical support services for community members facing hardship or crisis. These services embody the spirit of mutual assistance that is central to Zomi culture, ensuring that no one faces difficult times alone.

Emergency Relief

Immediate assistance for families facing unexpected hardships such as job loss, illness, or housing crises. This may include temporary financial support, food assistance, or connection to other resources.

Community Fundraising

Organizing community-based fundraising efforts when members face significant medical expenses, accidents, or other major financial challenges that exceed individual capacity.

Funeral Services

Comprehensive support for families who have lost a loved one, including funeral arrangement coordination, cultural and religious ceremony facilitation, and community support mobilization.

Bereavement Support

Ongoing emotional and practical support for bereaved families, including community visits, assistance with administrative matters, and connection to counseling when needed.

"When my husband passed away suddenly, I felt completely lost in a foreign country with three young children. The Social Welfare Department immediately stepped in to help with funeral arrangements, mobilized community support, and helped me navigate the difficult weeks and months that followed. Their support showed me that even as refugees, we still have a community that cares for us like family."

- Mary, community member supported during bereavement

Building Bridges

Fostering positive relationships with Malaysian society

Cultural Exchange Event

While maintaining Zomi cultural identity is important, building positive relationships with Malaysian society is equally vital for the wellbeing of the refugee community. Our department organizes various initiatives to promote mutual understanding, respect, and positive interaction.

Cultural Exchange Events

We organize events that showcase Zomi culture to Malaysian audiences and provide opportunities for cross-cultural learning. These events include cultural performances, food sharing, and interactive activities that highlight both similarities and unique aspects of each culture.

Community Service Projects

We organize volunteer activities where Zomi refugees contribute to Malaysian communities through neighborhood cleanups, environmental initiatives, or participation in local charity events. These activities demonstrate refugees' desire to give back to their host country.

Friendship Programs

We facilitate connections between Malaysian and Zomi families through friendship programs, shared meals, cultural exchanges, and collaborative activities. These relationships help break down stereotypes and build lasting bonds.

Community Awareness

We work to increase understanding about refugee issues through educational presentations, participation in community forums, and media engagement that helps Malaysian society better understand the refugee experience and contributions.

Through these integration efforts, we aim to create an environment of mutual respect and understanding where refugees can feel more accepted in their host country while awaiting durable solutions to their displacement.

Stories of Community Impact

Real experiences showcasing the importance of social welfare

Youth Transformed Through Sports

"When we first arrived in Malaysia, my teenage son was struggling with the transition. He was withdrawn, had difficulty making friends, and was losing connection with his cultural identity. Joining the Zomi youth football team changed everything for him. Through regular practices and matches, he developed close friendships, found positive mentors, and regained his confidence. The coaches not only taught him football skills but also emphasized teamwork, discipline, and cultural pride. Today, he's one of the team captains and helps train younger players. The sports program provided exactly what he needed during a challenging transition – a sense of belonging and purpose."

Bawi, Parent of Youth Program Participant

Bawi

Parent of Youth Program Participant

Cultural Heritage Preserved

"I was just seven years old when we fled Myanmar. Growing up as a refugee in Malaysia, I was losing connection to my Zomi heritage – I barely spoke the language and knew little about our traditions. The cultural workshops organized by the Social Welfare Department became my link to our heritage. I learned traditional dance, music, and most importantly, became fluent in our language. The cultural knowledge I gained shaped my identity and gave me pride in my roots despite displacement. Now as a young adult, I volunteer to teach Zomi language classes to children, continuing the cycle of cultural preservation. These programs ensure that even as refugees, we don't lose the essence of who we are."

Nuam, Cultural Program Participant

Nuam

Cultural Program Participant & Volunteer

Community Support During Crisis

"When my apartment building caught fire, my family lost everything – clothing, documents, and the few possessions we had managed to accumulate. The Social Welfare Department responded immediately. They coordinated emergency housing, organized a community fundraising effort that helped us replace necessities, and provided emotional support during a traumatic time. What touched me most was how the entire Zomi community came together through the department's coordination. People with very little themselves gave what they could to help us restart. This experience showed me that even without a country to call home, we have a community that functions like an extended family, providing security and support when it's needed most."

Thang, Emergency Relief Recipient

Thang

Emergency Relief Recipient

Challenges & Solutions

Addressing obstacles to social welfare for refugees

Limited Space & Facilities

Refugees lack access to adequate spaces for community gatherings, sports activities, and cultural events, limiting opportunities for social connection.

Our Solution:

We establish partnerships with local community centers, schools, and religious facilities to secure affordable or donated spaces. We also develop creative approaches to organize smaller-scale activities in available spaces.

Resource Constraints

Limited financial resources restrict the scale and frequency of community programs, particularly for emergency support during times of crisis.

Our Solution:

We implement community contribution systems where members support each other, develop partnerships with organizations who share resources, and create sustainable funding mechanisms for emergency assistance.

Generational Differences

Cultural preservation efforts face challenges with younger generations who grow up in Malaysia and may become disconnected from their Zomi heritage.

Our Solution:

We create youth-focused cultural programs that blend traditional elements with contemporary approaches, involve young people in program design, and provide meaningful roles for youth in community activities.

Integration Barriers

Social restrictions, language barriers, and misconceptions about refugees can limit positive interaction with Malaysian society.

Our Solution:

We develop targeted bridge-building initiatives, partner with Malaysian community organizations, and create opportunities for positive interaction that highlight refugee contributions and shared values.

Join Our Social Welfare Team

The Social Welfare Department welcomes volunteers who want to help strengthen community bonds and preserve cultural heritage. Whether you have event planning skills, cultural knowledge, sports expertise, or simply a desire to support community wellbeing, your contribution can make a significant difference.

We Need:

  • Event organizers and coordinators
  • Cultural program facilitators
  • Sports coaches and activity leaders
  • Community support volunteers
Learn About Volunteering Contact Us Today

Contact Our Social Welfare Department

Reach out for community program information or support

Phone

(603) 2142 6659 ext. 6

For program inquiries and information

Email

social@zam.org.my

For program details and general questions

Visit Us

155 (A), 1st Floor, Jalan Maharajalela
50150 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Office hours: Monday-Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Department Head

Mary Cing

Social Welfare Coordinator

Upcoming Community Events

  • July 15: Community Sports Day - Taman Aman Petaling Jaya, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
  • August 5: Cultural Workshop: Traditional Music - ZAM Office, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
  • August 20: Zomi Language Class for Children - ZAM Office, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
  • September 10: Malaysian-Zomi Friendship Gathering - Community Hall, 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

All community members are welcome to participate. Some events require registration.

Strengthen Our Community

Join us in building a vibrant, supportive Zomi community that preserves our heritage while embracing new connections.

Get Involved Today