Issue 14: Instilling Community Work Amongst Tamil Community
Issue 14: Instilling Community Work Amongst Tamil Community
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Pre-Panel Discussion
1. Are there sufficient platforms for youths to volunteer?
• Most youths felt that there are many platforms available( e. g. Trybe, Children’ s Cancer Foundation, National Youth Council, SINDA) while a minority felt that there should not be a‘ management’ to coordinate community work; but instead, it should be an individual’ s will and self-motivation to engage in community work.
• A couple of youths spoke about SINDA as an example. They felt that SINDA has some good initiatives such as SINDA Young Leaders Seminar( SYLS) and SINDA Young Leaders Programme( SYLP). However, there seems to a be a lack of follow-up in these programmes, making them less sustainable.
• The National Youth Council has many volunteer programmes, catering to a wide spectrum of beneficiaries e. g. dysfunctional families, elderly, children with special needs.
• Academic institutions and schools have many opportunities for youths to engage in community work, however, some felt that the engagement is due to compulsory Community Involvement Programme( CIP) points attainment.
• There are some youths who are unaware of the available platforms, and they felt that more publicity should be done.
2. What are the youth’ s reasons for volunteering?
• To obtain more points in the CIP
• Due to interests in learning more about the beneficiary or the process of volunteerism e. g. dance contingents
• Some youths come from underprivileged backgrounds or know someone who comes from such backgrounds, thus they engage in community work to give back to the community.
• Some youths feel that to truly ascertain their interest in community work, they should experience it for themselves, thus engaging in community work momentarily.
3. What inhibits youths from engaging in community work?
• Some youths prefer to spend more time in their academics and school-related activities instead of community work.
• Some youths felt that the values / experiences gained from community work is not transferable to other aspects of their lives e. g. academics, career.
• There seems to be an apparent lack of motivation and laziness.
• Corrective work order was brought up as an example in some groups, where they felt that people perceive those who engage in environmental cleaning( i. e. anti-littering) as criminals.
• Not all schools actively promote community work. There tends to be an emphasis on cocurricular activities e. g. rugby that brings in medals and good reputation for the school.
• Community work initiatives in school tend to be proposed by teachers. Some youths voiced out that they preferred self-initiated proposals e. g. a youth shared how his Secondary four class washed cars to raise moneys for stray dogs. This was a self-initiated idea that allowed maximal participation and motivation from the students.