MakCik Travels
Creating Freedom of Movement for Women and the Elderly
Factbox
Location
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Grant Period
Aug 2022 - Jul 2023
Grant Amount
MYR 51,061.50
Beneficiaries
30 Families
Focus Area
Overview
MakCik Travels provides safe, reliable transport and companionship services for women, the elderly, and people with special needs. By creating flexible gig economy opportunities for women, the enterprise promotes financial independence while improving mobility and wellbeing for vulnerable groups in Malaysia.
Impact At A Glance
- 8 states reached across Malaysia since 2018
- 300 trained AdiNitas providing driver and chaperone services
- Over 6,000 customers assisted, including women, children, and the elderly
- Expanding elderly care services through training and marketing funded by AirAsia Foundation
The Challenge
For women, the elderly, and people with special needs, safety concerns often make even simple journeys a source of anxiety.
Mobility is an essential form of independence and contributes to both physical and mental wellbeing. Yet in recent years, safety concerns have become a growing barrier especially for women, the elderly, and people with special needs. Crimes such as physical assault and sexual abuse during solo travel have made many hesitant to move freely.
This lack of safe travel options not only limits daily activities but also erodes confidence, independence, and social connection. MakCik Travels emerged to change that reality.
The Solution
MakCik Travels provides safe, assisted travel through its network of trained female companions—giving vulnerable groups the confidence to stay mobile.
Initially launched in Bangi, Selangor, MakCik Travels began by providing transportation services specifically for women. In 2019, the founders expanded the initiative to include companionship services, promoting safe and assisted travel for those who need additional care.
Their team of women, known as AdiNitas—a name inspired by Adiwira (superhero) and Wanita (woman)—are trained to assist women, seniors, and individuals with special needs. Customers can choose between two types of service: a driver for safe transport, or a chaperone who provides full-time accompaniment throughout the trip.
This model not only promotes safety and inclusion but also creates flexible income opportunities for women, empowering them to achieve financial independence. Since 2018, MakCik Travels has expanded to eight states with 300 AdiNitas, serving over 6,000 customers across Malaysia.
The Grant with AirAsia Foundation
AirAsia Foundation’s support helps MakCik Travels expand elderly care services and train more AdiNitas in life support and communication skills.
With this funding, MakCik Travels will:
- Provide training in basic life support, elderly care, and communication for 30 AdiNitas
- Enhance marketing efforts to reach new customers and communities
These new skills will enable AdiNitas to assist elderly clients with daily activities such as visiting relatives, attending medical appointments, or running errands—further expanding MakCik Travels’ mission of enabling independence for all.
Gallery
The Organisation
Auntie Wanders Enterprise
Auntie Wanders Enterprise, founded in 2018 by a mother-daughter duo, created MakCik Travels to make transportation safer for women. The co-founder, Dr. Sazlina Kamalralzaman, is a medical lecturer with two decades of experience in rehabilitation and community health. Her background helped identify crucial gaps in mobility services for people with special needs.
Together with her daughter, Siti Sarah Anuar, the enterprise expanded into companionship services in 2019. Their vision is to ensure that every woman, elderly individual, and person with special needs can travel safely and confidently with support from a trusted companion.
Team Leader
Siti Sarah Anuar
Siti Sarah Anuar is the CEO and founder of MakCik Travels. Over three years of leading the enterprise, she has become one of Malaysia’s youngest women techpreneurs.
Sarah is passionate about giving at-risk individuals the opportunity to travel and experience the world safely. She believes that stepping out of one’s comfort zone and reconnecting with the world can greatly improve mental wellbeing and restore a sense of freedom.
Social Enterprise
