Telok Blangah CC YEC gets hands-on at Moral Welfare Home

After lunch at Telok Blangah Blk 47 Resident's Committee Center, we settled down to put designs on potted plants: our very first gift to our adopted home - Moral Welfare Home (MWH).

While decorating the pots, Linda, Stacy, Shauna, Xizhi, Guna, Rebacca, Siti were very absorbed in perfecting every detail of their design. Even the usually playful and hyperactive ones like Tery, Ronnie, Andy, Jeffery, Yue Hua, Dave and Yoosuf sat down diligently to put unique designs on their pots. Ying Quan, Alvin and Terence took turns to play the guitar to provide some music and encouragement to everyone. We managed to remember most of the lyrics of some of the songs, and even crooned to "Country Road"!

Full of love, we set off for MWH at 301 Henderson Road. Each of us brought along our hand drawn potted plants as a gift for the residents of the home. We were all geared up to have fun doing art and craft with the elderly. After a couple of weeks of liaison between Yuehua and myself and Eric, the officer in-charge of the Welfare home, we were finally on our way to carry out this community service project.

When we arrived, we greeted the seniors with our brightest smile while we walked through the hall. They were very friendly and some even waved back at us. The macho TBCCYEC gentleman took the initiative to help arrange the tables while the ladies set up the chairs, giving out the drawing block papers, crayons and colour pencils. Within minutes, the place was all set up for art and craft, with some of the residents filling up all the chairs.

Throughout the short one hour, our YEC began a hive of activities. Linda, Siti, Stacy, Jeffrey, Rebecca and Shauna sat down next to an elderly each to draw pictures together with them. Yuehua folded a flower together with a senior. Xizhi, Alvin, Andy and myself engaged in an interesting chat with an elderly at another table. Terence coaxed a more reserved elderly into finally drawing flowers and putting colours on to them. Tery broke the ice by speaking fluent "Hokkien" to one of the "Hokkien" speaking elderly. Ying Quan busied himself checking out the sound system and the venue to plan for the next visit's performance.

Before we knew, it was time to bid farewell. The elderly waved goodbye to us silently. Although most of them did not express themselves in words, we could see the smiles in their eyes reflecting the happiness in their hearts. It's more than words can say. We know that they have enjoyed the simple art and craft session but more importantly - our company and the care that we have expressed through our actions. Seeing the smile on their faces, we know that all the time and effort spent in preparing and carrying out this community service is worthwhile and meaningful.

Yes, we have made a difference, and we will continue to do so.

Love Potion:

A simple act, with a little time and lots of LOVE makes a meaningful difference in someone's life. Will you care to do it?

Written By:

Vanlisa Lee

TBCC YEC

Get Your Certificate!

Are you one of the hundreds who took part in the record-setting Largest Palm Formation at Youth Hands-On! @ South West 2010? If yes, we've prepared a Certificate of Participation to mark your involvement!

Please contact your YEC or grassroots leader who invited you along, and give them the name you want to be printed on the certificate, and ask them to pass your detail on to us. They will inform you when the certificates are ready for collection.

If you are a YEC representative, you should already have received an email from us asking you to send in the details of the youths you invited along. If you haven't already send in the names, please do so by Thursday 8 April, 12pm.

If you are a member of the public who joined in on that day and would like to get a certificate, please email the name you would like to print on the certificate along with your contact number to YEO_Cheo_Tee@pa.gov.sg with the subject header: "YHO Certificate - Public". Each certificate costs $5. We will inform you when your certificate is ready for collection.

Thanks everyone who made the event a possibility!

West Coast CC YEC takes the elderly to a museum

As part of Youth Hands-On! @ South West 2010, West Coast CC YEC, together with the youth volunteers, spent a meaningful Sunday at the National Museum with the elderly from St Andrew Cathedral Home for the Aged in the Singapore History Gallery .

Looking at the old artefacts and viewing videos of old Singapore. the visit gave the elderly an opportunity to share their past experiences with us. We also shared with them stories we heard from our own grandparents.

After the museum visit, we brought the elderly to the nearby Kopitiam where they were spoilt for choice with the wide array of food.

The elderly enjoyed the short outing, in particular the unique dining experience.

To the volunteers, it was also a rare opportunity for us to hone our dialects and learn how to communicate better with them.

It was indeed a meaningful Sunday spent with this group of lovely elderly from St Andrew Cathedral Home for the Aged.

Contributed by West Coast CC YEC. Connect with the West Coast CC YEC via facebook!

Ngee Ann Poly Get Hands-On!

On a Sunday where most people would spend their mornings sleeping in, a thousand youths including myself headed over to Vivo City to participate in Youth Hands-On! @ South West 2010.

At 7am, DPA students from Ngee Ann Polytechnic met up at VivoCity to collect their red t-shirts and breakfast before proceeding to the rehearsal for the largest human hand formation. The rehearsal went smoothly as the youths enthusiastically co-operated with the organizers to make this project a success.

By 9.45am, we did the real run and together with other youths, we formed the largest palm formation, setting a record for the Singapore Book of Records. I am proud to be one of the participants because I find the activity to be very meaningful: the hand symbolizes youths providing a helping hand to the underprivileged residents in the south west district.

After setting the record, 20 Ngee Ann students took on the task of road marshals while the remaining youths participated by “marching” for a distance of 2km. in "March To Aid" This march was a test of perseverance for some youths including myself as I had a sprained ankle prior to this event. However, I did not give up as I believed that this 2km march is the least I could do for the underprivileged residents - to make my stand that we should go all the way out for those less privileged in our community.

After the march, my group proceeded to Bo Tien Temple at Boon Lay where we were brought on a tour of the temple and its facilities. Following that, we were tasked to clean up their living quarters and change their bedsheets. We were also given time to interact with the elderly living there and they were delighted to see us.

All in all, I learnt that community service plays an important role in our lives. Students may not realize this but the effort and time that they fork out, do make a difference to someone else’s life. Thus it is good if we can set aside some time (for example: 4 hours a week on community service which would amount to 208 hours of community service) to bring some happiness and cheer to others.

Contributed by Joel Tan, Ngee Ann Polytechnic.
See more photos of the Ngee Ann students here!

Before and After!

Thank you!

Stay tuned for more updates!

Though Youth Hands-On! @ South West 2010 has been held successfully, there's still more updates coming your way!

Check back soon for more stories, coverage, and photos!

In the meantime, have you fanned our facebook page yet?

http://www.facebook.com/youth.hands.on

WE DID IT!

We set a new record in the Singapore Book of Records for The Largest Palm Formation. Hurray!
















From Left to Right: Mr Ong Eng Huat, Singapore Book of Records; Mr Terence Quek, Organising Chairman of YHO@SW2010; Dr Amy Khor, Mayor of South West District and Senior Parliamentary Secretary of the Environment and Water Resources; and Mr Chan Keen Len, Chairman of South West Community Development Council Youth Functional Committee

Invite your friends!

Do copy and paste the following image and email to your friends!

Programme Outline and FAQs

With Youth Hands-On! @ South West 2010 just a couple of days away, preparations are well underway!

If you are a participant, here's the programme outline:

0800am - Registration at Vivocity. Meet at the main entrance (where the fountain is!)
0830am - Briefing for all participants
0900am - Rehearsal for "Largest Hand Formation"
0930am - Arrival of Dr Amy Khor, Mayor of South West District and Senior Parliamentary Secretary of the Environment and Water Resource
0945am - Largest Hand Formation to set record for Singapore Book of Records
1000am - March To Aid @ South West Flag Off by Mayor
1030am - Dispersal to various part of South West district to engage in community service projects

Where To Meet?
We will be setting up a registration tentage just outside VivoCity (near the bus-stop). Look for us there!

What To Prepare?
Drink plenty of water the night before. Have a good rest. Have your breakfast before you come. Bring your own water bottle as we will not be providing bottled water. If you like, you may want to pack some light snacks and carry it in your bag pack.

What To Wear?
Come dressed in light sports attire with walking shoes. You would need to change into the event t-shirt given to you at the point of registration.

What To Bring?
Leave your valuables at home. Bring your own water bottle. We are going green so we will not be giving away bottled waters. Bring your sunglasses or cap if you like. Oh, and your camera and mobile phones so you may take and upload photos onto your facebook!

What If It Rains?
We will proceed with the event if there is light rain. Don't worry, we've prepared ponchos for everyone!

Can I Join / Bring My Friends?
Yes! If you or you have friends who would like to join us, but have not registered yet, please come to the registration counter and queue up at the lane for "Unregistered / Public". Registration is FREE.

Have a question? Drop us an email at tbccyec@gmail.com!

See you on Sunday March 28 at 8am!

We're on PA website!

Check us out on People's Association's main website!

If you would like to join in the fun, write to us at tbccyec@gmail.com!

Say I WILL to YOUTH HANDS-ON

We've just made a pledge on iwill.sg and hope you'll join the pledge by clicking on the "Join this pledge" and more importantly, join us on March 28 at VivoCity, 9.30am!

Say I WILL, join the MARCH TO AID and GET HANDS-ON!

Schools Get Hands-On!

Following our appeal to all schools in South West district, mails and phone calls have been streaming in to support our call for students to get Hands-On! with us on March 28.

Thank you Principals, HODs, and Teachers-in-charge for answering our call! We appreciate your support!

If you are a student or teacher-in-charge or a Principal of a school based in South West district, we hope you'll join us in our MARCH TO AID and get your students to make a real impact in our local community.

Call our South West CDC staff members in charge Ms Lim Yee Leng at 6551 9286 or Ms Angeline Cheo at 6551 9283 today to register your interest today!

Youth Executive Committees Get Hands-On!

We're heartened to receive the support of several Youth Executive Committees base in South West district and we look forward to more Grassroots Organisations coming onboard over the next couple of weeks.

If you are a Grassroots Leader in South West, or know someone who is, please get in touch with us. We're hoping to bring onboard as many Grassroots Organisation - from RCs to CCCs - to make a real impact on their immediate local community.

What's more, as part of its mission to assist the needy, bond the people and connect the community, South West Community Development Council will be providing some financial support to each community service project that directly benefits its local needy residents. Grassroots Leaders who wish to learn more may contact Ms Lim Yee Leng at 6551 9286 directly.

Youth Hands-On! @ South West looks forward to connecting Grassroots Organisations and students in South West to positively impact the lives of those who help in our community!

MARCH TO AID, GET HANDS ON

The first e-flyer that was sent out today at 03:28pm.

Help spread the word by copying the image and emailing it out.

For more details, email tbccyec@gmail.com

Take A Break and Hands-On!

The good folks at Kit Kat have come onboard with cash sponsorship to benefit the local community through Youth Hands-On! @ South West.

Thanks to one and all at Kit Kat for answering our call for support and for empowering us to do more for those who need help.

Calling everyone - come March 28, Take A Break and Get Hands-On!

If you would like to support our cause, please email tbccyec@gmail.com

Talking Hands

This image taken from www.thinkquest.org shows the alphabets in sign language.

For most of us, we take our hands for granted.

But for some underprivileged residents in South West district and beyond, their hands are their means to make a living; to communicate; to connect.

As we put together Youth Hands-On! @ South West on 28 March 2010, let us join hands in reaching out to those in our community who need help, and take a proactive step towards a more inclusive and gracious society.

This March 28, let our hands do the talking.

For more details about YHO@SW2010, email tbccyec@gmail.com

Why March To Aid?

Why March To Aid?

It all began when we were deciding on the date for Youth Hands-On! @ South West 2010, which was eventually set on March 28, 2010.

When looking at the date while brainstorming on the concept, an idea struck.

"When we spoke about the date, 'March-Two-Eight' sounded very much like 'March-To-Aid'," says Terence Quek, Chairman of Telok Blangah Community Club Youth Executive Committee.

"This is most apt since Youth Hands-On! is about encouraging youths to get 'hands-on' in the community, and so we decided to incorporate a march into the programme."

Youth Hands-On! @ South West will feature a mass walk by 1,000 youths to symbolise youth taking proactive steps towards aiding those who need help in our community.

Mayor of South West district Dr Amy Khor will flag off and join the youths in the march.

Will you put on your shoes and do the march in aid of your local beneficiary?

For more details about YHO@SW2010, email tbccyec@gmail.com

Which logo? Have a hand in picking!

Thanks to Ms Stacy Peh for volunteering and contributing her artwork.

Like what you see? Let us know your pick! Email tbccyec@gmail.com today!

What's YHO@SW?

Youth Hands-On! @ South West (YHO@SW) is a mass community service event happening in 2010 on March 28 ("March To Aid").

1,000 youths, together with grassroots leaders, will make a positive difference to local beneficiaries throughout Singapore's South West district on the same day, at the same.

The youths will attempt to make a Singapore Book of Record entry with a massive human formation of an open palm to symbolise youths getting hands-on in the community.

They will also 'march off' to various locations to engage beneficiaries, bringing with them gifts, good will and encouragement to show the community cares for them.

The event is organised by Telok Blangah Community Club Youth Executive Committee and South West Community Development Council.

Nestle is a sponsor for this meaningful youth community event.