How former Miss Malaysia Deborah Henry is empowering refugee children
- The former model’s non-profit organisation Fugee.org trains refugees to produce jewellery for her accessories brand Fugeelah and learn a range of business skills
- Profits help to support a school for refugees
How did you come to work with refugees in Malaysia? “Back in 2008, I met a few refugee families living in Malaysia. I was hosting a documentary for UNHCR [United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees] and sat in one family’s home listening to their story. I left that day committed to making sure these kids would have access to education and a brighter future.
“Today, over 170,000 refugees in Malaysia cannot work legally or access public-education services and have limited access to health care. Our non-profit organisation, Fugee.org, aims to cultivate an environment where refugees can build more dignified and meaningful lives, despite their limitations and struggles.”
What gave you the idea to branch into jewellery as a form of social enterprise? “Raising funds for refugees in Malaysia is challenging. I wanted to be able to secure finances for the Fugee School, which gives access to education for 200 students. I have a fashion background, so it seemed natural to start a social enterprise selling accessories. Two years later, Fugeelah has sold thousands of pairs. We create pieces that we hope customers wear with pride, knowing that these little pleasures will have a big impact on others.”
How would you describe the brand? “Fugeelah jewellery is for curious minds and conscious hearts. Quietly expressive, a little quirky and with a touch of class, our hope is that each piece is not only a cause for compliment but also a conversation starter. Every piece is handmade with love. All the jewellery is designed and assembled by the team and a small group of refugee girls. The girls are taught how to make the pieces and they are continually learning new skills.”
What other skills do Fugeelah trainees learn? “By involving the girls in all aspects of the business, they gain hands-on skills from inventory management to admin, and marketing and sales. We have seen the girls’ confidence, communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills develop. They are learning the ins and out of running their own business: something that will go a long way in their future endeavours. Plus, there is a lot of excitement when the team meet customers wearing our pieces. It’s a real confidence booster.”
Has your background as a model and public figure helped you to launch a lifestyle brand? “Absolutely. It is such a competitive industry, even more so now with customers spoiled for choice. The competition is global. Having worked as a model and TV host for more than 15 years, I have solid network and industry experience, which I used to kick-start Fugeelah.
“A brand like Fugeelah empowers people to make ‘doing good’ a part of everyday decisions. Consumers are increasingly conscious about their spending: what they buy and how they spend their money. Over the years, I have used my platform to talk about our story – it’s one that empowers, creates impact and is simply about doing something good.”
