Caption: From left: NGEO Deputy Chairlady Katryn Haw, NGEO Chairlady Charlene Chea and NGEO Committee Member Aerith Lee.
KOTA KINABALU: Specially organised for the children and grandchildren of members of the Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) Sabah, “NGEO Bob The Builder: Build&Paint Your Own Mini House” will bring together 30 young participants for a hands-on learning experience on 24 October 2026 at the Kim Teck Cheong Consolidated Berhad (KTC) KKIP Site.
The programme is designed to give children an early introduction to how an idea can be transformed from a concept on paper into something tangible through planning, teamwork and practical execution.
Through building, measuring, painting and working together, participants will learn that creating something involves more than having a good idea. It also requires careful planning, appropriate materials, cost considerations, safety awareness and the ability to make adjustments when things do not go according to the original plan.
Next Generation Entrepreneurs Organisation (NGEO) Chairlady Charlene Chea said the programme reflects the MCCC Sabah’s commitment, under the leadership of President Datuk Dexter Lau, to promoting learning opportunities that extend beyond textbooks and classrooms, allowing children to gain a better understanding of how ideas and activities work in the real world.
“Education is not only about being able to answer questions. We also want our younger generation to be curious about how things are made, how businesses operate, how different professions are connected and how an idea eventually becomes something real,” she said.
Charlene said early exposure to practical experiences could help children develop confidence, curiosity and resilience, while encouraging them to approach challenges with an open and constructive mindset.
“The objective is not to determine what profession they should pursue in the future. Rather, we hope to nurture their willingness to ask questions, try things for themselves and understand that when something does not work the first time, they can think, make adjustments and try again,” she said.
The programme is being spearheaded by Charlene, together with NGEO Deputy Chairlady Katryn Haw and NGEO Treasurer Aerith Lee, with participants working in teams to construct and paint their own miniature houses using real building materials under supervision.
Through the process, participants will also be introduced to the different yet interconnected roles of architects, engineers, contractors, designers and entrepreneurs in turning an idea into a practical outcome.
The programme will combine hands-on learning with creativity and teamwork, while giving children an opportunity to appreciate how planning, people, materials, resources and decision-making come together in the process of creating something.
Ultimately, “NGEO Bob The Builder” aims to encourage children to look beyond the finished product and understand the process behind it — from developing an idea and making plans to solving problems, making decisions and turning those decisions into reality.
The programme’s central message is simple: a good idea is only the beginning; real learning begins when children have the opportunity to put that idea into practice.
