Singapore-On the final day of the Community Festival in Boonley on Sunday (June 12th), 75 children and 50 young volunteers in the neighborhood enjoyed carnival games, perfume making and soccer days.
The three-month community YOUTH CARE Festival was hosted by People’s Association (PA) Youth Movement and was held at the Boon Lay Community Club.
President Halimah Yacob, along with Honorary Guest and Parliamentarian of the West Coast GRC, Minister for National Development Desmond Lee, read aloud to children and attended a mental health workshop for teens.
At this event, PA presented Madame Harima with a $ 250,000 check for the President’s challenge to support low-income households.
Madame Murni Arsahat’s two youngest children, Ashlyn Abdul Faki (7 years old) and his sister Shaquina (5 years old) were at the carnival.
The pair folded the origami frog and put it in a cup in exchange for sweets from a youth volunteer.
“I’m glad they came here and had the opportunity to play for a day, otherwise they would be playing on my phone at home,” said Madame Murni, four mothers. 40 years old) said.
Madame Jenny Yo’s 11-year-old son, Jeremiah Lee, wore a Liverpool jersey when playing soccer with friends at an event.
“It’s good for him to make friends with other children in the neighborhood,” said Madame Yo, 42, who works for human resources.
PA’s Youth Network in Boon Lay also operates the ongoing The Heart of Care @ Boon Lay initiative. This initiative consists of weekly activities and programs for residents.
This includes reading and math programs for children in low-income households, mental health workshops for young people, and sports and heritage activities to connect communities.
The Youth Network has helped more than 180 children from 96 households since 2018.
Madame Murni, a housewife living in a two-room rental apartment in Boon Lay, said an educational program for children aged 5 to 18 was helpful.
She added that volunteers effectively continued to implement educational programs during the Covid-19 pandemic.
