The Volunteer Appreciation Event

By: Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports

By: Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports

At 2.45 pm at Suntec Singapore Exhibition Halls 402-403 Level 4

Distinguished Volunteers,

Colleagues,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. We are here this afternoon to honour volunteers whohave given generously of their hearts and of their time to serve our fellow citizens.
   
   

   Good Work of Volunteers Strengthen Social Fabric

2. The many stories that you and the award recipients bring, and the lives that you have touched are all worthy of commendation. In the interest of time however, I can only highlight a few today. Let me start with the story of Mr Amarjit Singh. His deep concern for the welfare of the Sikh community motivated him to serve on the Sikh Advisory Board since 1989. In the 1990s, there were no centres in Singapore that taught Punjabi as a second language for Sikh students. Mr Amarjit and other Sikh community leaders had to start from scratch. Their efforts paid off.
3. Now, Punjabi classes are run in three centres across the island with a student strength of 1,500. Because of these classes, the Sikh community in Singapore is now able to keep their mother tongue and, through which, their culture and traditions alive from one generation to the next. Thank you, Mr Amarjit Singh.
4. Ms Christy Wong is also a believer in helping the young in order to safeguard the future of the community and the nation. Every young person progresses at a different pace and some may go astray in the course of growing up. Ms Christy Wong has recognized the need to put in extra time and effort to help those who stray so that they too will have the opportunity to move forward.
5. Ms Wong has been going to the Singapore Girls' Home weekly without fail in the last 5 years. She went there to befriend the residents. One of the girls did not have a home to return to after her discharge. Ms Wong became her much needed surrogate 'parent'. Every week, she visits the youth at a post-care residential facility to give her the extra support needed to help her back on her feet to become a self-reliant individual. Thank you, Ms Christy Wong.
6. Moving on to marriage. It is always a happy occasion when we speak of marriages. We are reminded of beautiful brides and dashing grooms. Today, I want to turn your attention to the solemnisers.
7. For the past 5 years, Mrs Chia Swee Tin spent almost every weekend solemnising marriages. During the weekdays, she plays the role of a mediator in the Family Court dealing with divorce cases, witnessing the sorrows of those who were overwhelmed by the challenges of marriage. Hence, she made it a point to conduct a marriage preparation session for every couple before they are solemnized. Some couples who encountered tough times after marriage have also sought counselling from her. Mrs Chia has made such an impression that one couple even sent her a Thank You Card during their wedding anniversary. Thank you Mrs Chia and the many others like you who are also sacrificing precious weekends away from their own families just to help others begin their married life on a positive note.
8. Other than the solemnisers like Mrs Chia, youth mentors like Ms Christy Wong and community leaders like Mr Amarjit Singh, among us today are also Volunteer Probation Officers, corporate executives from organisations who support social enterprises, and those who have been roped in to sit in committees to conceptualise, review, plan and implement polices and procedures. Every one of you plays a vital role in strengthening our social fabric. In many ways, you are helping to shape a nation of socially responsible individuals and inspired and committed youth. In so doing, you are also helping to build strong and stable families and a caring and active community.I applaud and thank you for your dedicated service.
   
   

   Long Service Award Recipients Are Gems

9. We have with us today 86 volunteers who will be recognised for their Long Service, ranging from 5 to 30 years. I commend these volunteers for their commitment. It is through this long term partnership with my Ministry that we ensure that no one falls through the cracks.
   
   

   Conclusion

10. We need more people with the same passion and dedication to come forward and volunteer their time and their skills to benefit the disadvantaged, the poor and the needy. We must be a nation of caring and compassionate people knitted by ties of kinship, friendship and fellowship. A society in which the young and the old, the weak and those who have gone astray, for one reason or another, will have hope for their future because the successful have not forgotten their obligations to their parents and grand parents, to their aunties and uncles, brothers sisters, friends, colleagues, their alma mater and to the community at large.
11. Thank you.
    
    MCYS Speech No: 60/2008
    Date Of Issue: 18/10/2008