SINGAPORE – Back in 2014, as a student at ITE College Central pursuing a Higher Nitec in Process Plant Design, Sheila Manokaran, now 29, was predominantly focused on her academics with little involvement in extracurriculars. However, her life took a pivot when she was selected by her principal to join the initial group of Youth Corps Singapore leaders, enhancing her involvement in youth-focused initiatives.
Fast forward, Manokaran is actively participating in the Youth Corps Advisory Committee and collaborates with the Institute of Technical Education to develop internship opportunities, building upon the experiences that shaped her.
Image: Mark Cheong, ST Photos
On 6th July, during the celebration of Youth Corps’ 10-year mark held at *Scape, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who helped initiate the Corps in June 2014 while serving as the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, marked the occasion. The Corps, starting with 90 leaders, now boasts about 30,000 members and provides over 20 programs, including local volunteer efforts and literacy aids for preschoolers.
PM Wong addressed the attendees, expressing the government’s commitment to offering more platforms for youth to impact society positively, inspired by examples like Manokaran’s. He stressed the irrepressible energy and zeal of the youth, which, if harnessed through right opportunities, can lead to significant societal benefits.
The Prime Minister discussed furthering youth involvement through initiatives such as Youth Panels, which allow young individuals to debate pertinent issues and suggest improvements. “We are looking to create numerous other platforms to empower you all in contributing back to society and shaping our collective future,” he added.
Wong suggested reinvigorating the Youth Corps by reducing time commitments for busy youths with more flexible, bite-sized volunteering options. While current members commit to eight hours monthly over a minimum of three months, there’s a recommendation to diversify volunteering areas, such as outreach to socially isolated seniors, boosting their mental health.
Another area Prime Minister Wong touched upon was increasing the number of overseas expeditions. While in 2023, only 2,000 had such opportunities as opposed to 4,000 pre-pandemic, he envisioned giving more youths the chance to collaborate with overseas volunteers to foster robust networks and a global volunteering ecosystem.
Highlighting personal transformations through volunteering, Manokaran shared, “Volunteering helps you discover new aspects of yourself and I believe every young individual should start small as it fosters not only a brighter future but empathy as we evolve.”
Echoing the sentiment, 24-year-old Rachel Soh, a member of the YCLP’s 23rd cohort and nearing graduation from Singapore University of Social Sciences, emphasized the value alignment in volunteering. Post her program, she co-founded The Levelled Field, aimed at aiding people with intellectual disabilities through technology training, and plans to delve into corporate social responsibility.
Soh concluded, “Finding peers who support and share your commitment towards community engagement is crucial. It makes contributing to social good much more feasible.”
