2 Winners Of TikTok Awards' 'Changemaker Of The Year' Not Only Entertain But Also Inspire
By using it to inspire change, educate others, and build supportive communities, these two TikTok sensations have shown the incredible potential of social media to make real-world impact.
By Sadho Ram — 11 Aug 2024, 10:46 PM
Tonight, 11 August, TikTok Awards Malaysia celebrated some of the most influential creators on the platform, highlighting those who use their influence not just for entertainment, but to inspire and enact social change
Among the night's most impactful winners were two creators whose work transcends the typical scope of TikTok content, winning them the special 'Changemaker of the Year' award.
They are LoKohoPunoh (LKP) and BraderWheelchair.
LKP are a group of passionate volunteer environmentalists based in Terengganu, who are cleaning up Malaysia, one beach at a time
Uzair Emir, the founder of LKP, and his team have turned TikTok into a platform for environmental activism.
What started as a simple beach clean-up at Pantai Batu Burok in Terengganu has blossomed into a nationwide movement, inspiring countless Malaysians to take part in environmental preservation.
Uzair, a final-year MBBS student, recalls how a friend's WhatsApp message about a clean-up inspired him to take action.
"I've always been passionate about cleanliness and preserving the environment, so I decided to join them," he shared.
Realising the potential of TikTok to reach a larger audience, Uzair and his team began documenting their clean-up sessions on the platform
"TikTok has become one of the mainstream social media platforms, and its ability to amplify messages quickly and reach a diverse audience caught our attention," Uzair explained.
However, the road to success was not without challenges
Balancing his medical studies, hospital duties, and managing the NGO required immense dedication.
"I had to use my scholarship money to buy a quality phone for recording videos. I learned videography and editing skills online, often sacrificing my study time to make and edit videos," Uzair shared.
He also opened up about his personal struggles with Major Depressive Disorder, revealing that clean-ups and content creation became a form of therapy for him.
"There were times when I felt like giving up, but I knew that abandoning this cause would mean giving up on my principles."
The content that LKP produces is powerful
The team features time-lapse videos of beach transformations and before-and-after shots that visually demonstrate the impact of their work.
One particular video of a clean-up at the Drawbridge in Terengganu went viral, garnering unprecedented engagement.
"The video resonated because it showed the tangible impact of our efforts, making it clear that collective action can lead to significant positive change," Uzair explained.
However, LKP's success on TikTok isn't just about the visuals
It's about community engagement.
The team actively responds to comments, hosts live sessions, and even organises meet-ups where followers can join in on the clean-ups.
This approach has not only increased their following but also expanded their team, which now boasts 100 members across Malaysia.
On the other side of the digital spectrum is BraderWheelchair, whose real name is Nur Izhar Idham.
A wheelchair user himself, BraderWheelchair has defied expectations and stereotypes with his infectious positivity and determination.
Izhar has become a beacon of hope and inspiration for the differently-abled community, using his TikTok platform to raise awareness and provide insights into life as a wheelchair user.
What began as a fun way to share his daily routines and wheelchair tutorials quickly evolved into a powerful advocacy platform.
"TikTok is one of the platforms that has no boundaries and is easy to get engagement from viewers, especially if the video content is useful to others," Izhar explained.
Izhar's journey on TikTok was driven by his desire to inspire other wheelchair users to become more independent.
Izhar's content initially focused on practical tutorials, like how to get in and out of a car from a wheelchair, or how to navigate daily tasks
"I saw many wheelchair users still lack basic skills for handling wheelchairs, so I decided to share my knowledge," he said.
But as he continued to post, it became clear that his videos were doing much more — they were breaking down misconceptions and inspiring both wheelchair users and the broader community
"TikTok is a platform that goes globally, making wheelchair awareness videos impactful for the community around the world," Izhar noted.
One of the key features that drew Izhar to TikTok was its accessibility and global reach.
"Spreading awareness becomes easier," he said, highlighting how the platform's algorithms and community engagement tools have helped him connect with a vast audience.
Izhar doesn't shy away from addressing misconceptions head on
He engages with his followers, answering questions about his life, his abilities, and his experiences with a positive and educational approach.
"The most common question I receive is about how I drive a car and what happened to my legs," Izhar shared.
By answering these questions openly, he not only educates his audience but also shifts the narrative around disability.
Like LKP, Izhar faced significant challenges in his TikTok journey
"At the beginning, I struggled with gaining followers and creating content that would resonate with people," he shared.
He also had to deal with misconceptions and negative feedback about the OKU community.
"People often assumed that I was complaining or using my platform for political purposes," he added.
However, Izhar chose to focus on the positive impact of his content and ignored the negativity.
"I engage with viewers who ask genuine questions and try to educate them about the realities of life as a wheelchair user."
Despite the challenges, Izhar's content has garnered thousands to millions of views, with viewers appreciating his candid approach to disability awareness.
Both LKP and BraderWheelchair have demonstrated that TikTok is more than just a platform for entertainment
By using it to inspire change, educate others, and build supportive communities, these two TikTok sensations have shown the incredible potential of social media to make real-world impact.
Their success at the TikTok Awards Malaysia is an example of the power of authentic content that not only entertains but also makes a difference.
As LKP embarks on an environmental tour across Malaysia and BraderWheelchair continues to advocate for the differently-abled community, their stories serve as a reminder that anyone can be a changemaker.
