In looking towards the future , we can broadly tackle the issue of apathy and the effective deliverance of community work using a three-pronged approach .
1 . Setting the right mind set for delivering community service .
• Educators have to inculcate a stronger sense of civic responsibility that is premised upon ecological thinking – one that envisions society as a complex system that is rooted in relationships , connectedness and context .
• Children need to be introduced to alternative modes of thinking that enable them to see the physical and social world in a holistic manner instead of separate entities that are demarcated by economic systems .
• Time needs to be imagined differently with greater emphasis given to how current decisions have impacts that last beyond generations . In the same vein , educators should strive to instill a sense of humility in students by assuring them that results of their efforts do not necessarily have to be seen immediately .
• There is a need to acknowledge that at times , social cohesion , values learning and strength of relationships cannot always be meaningfully quantified . This will enable youths to engage in communities in a more sustainable way .
• These point to shift the focus of community work to personal stories and connections that motivate us to develop a more intimate connection to the social system in which we live .
2 . Placing more emphasis on raising awareness .
• Before recruiting volunteers on a long-term basis , there is a need to first introduce them to these current social issues .
• There is a need to raise awareness about specific issues and provide them with accurate in-depth information about the issues . This is opposed to just getting them to take part in one-off programmes .
• An initiative by two passionate Singaporean youths , Ashik Ashohan and Ashok Kumar .
• Aim to raise awareness of the needs of the physically disabled and to contribute funds to the Society for the Physically Disabled ( SPD ). They have extended their project in recent years so as to target other beneficiaries such as the Children ’ s Cancer Foundation on other climbing expeditions .
• This project is a positive example of balance between emotive and skills-based volunteering . Additionally , it is an independently led project that has the spirit ofvolunteerism at its core .
• Their project has won the Hillview Civilians Sports Club ' s Silent Heroes Role Model Award for Inspiring Youth and the NUS Student Achievement Award for successful initiatives .
3 . Develop a framework that facilitates skills – based community work alongside the community work that is carried out purely motivated by emotions .
This would require a deeper analysis of the demographics of today ’ s youth volunteers so as the make full use of their resources and skills . Some general characteristics are listed below : i . Highly educated with professional backgrounds ii . Goal-oriented with highly organized career , family and social lives iii . Independent / sense of mobility iv . Technologically skilled and comfortable participating in social networks v . Individualistic and have a strong desire for autonomy vi . Multiple interests and identities linked to many communities and causes
Topic of Interest : How can we encourage effective , yet independent youth-led community projects in the future ?
CASE STUDY : Heart2Climb - Singapore
What exactly did they do ?
• Trekked the Annapurna Himalayan circuit without the help of highaltitude porters and guides .
• Managed to secure funding for their climb in addition to raising funds for their cause through rigorous fundraising and campaigning efforts .
• Raised over $ 50,000 for charity
Emotive Volunteering
A shared passion for adventure , sports and community work .
Believed in the importance of empathy .
They specifically chose to engage in a challenging activity such as mountain climbing in an attempt to raise awareness of the ‘ mountains ’ that the physically disabled have to ‘ climb ’ on a daily basis
Skills- based Volunteering
Realised the importance of goal setting : The duo started off with a clear idea of : the cause / beneficiaries , the amount that they aimed to raise ($ 50,000 ) Training required to execute the climb
Reaching out to sponsors and donors
• tap into various networks to secure funding for the climb and to aid with the fundraising efforts .
• reached out to more than 300 organisations and faced a slew of rejections at the initial stages .
• Some of the community partners and corporate sponsors that eventually lent them their support include , Red Bull Singapore , Starhub , Mini Environment Services ( MES ) Group of Companies , The North Face , Little India Singapore , Sri Siva Durga Temple and Hindu Endowments Board
Importance of identifying a mentor : The duo engaged the help of a mentor right from the start for guidance with regards to both the fundraising process and the climbing expedition itself . Dr . Kumaran Rasappan had previously engaged in a similar arduous expedition and was able to support them in many ways .
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