Yayasan Mendaki to tap technology for wider reach, says Yaacob

SINGAPORE — To navigate the changing volunteering landscape, Yayasan Mendaki will be looking at various ways to reach out to its beneficiaries, such as by harnessing smartphone apps and tapping the expertise of senior volunteers.

The use of apps will help the organisation connect with beneficiaries and “reach out to a wider group of people” given today’s increasing connectivity, Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim said yesterday on the sidelines of a Mendaki Volunteers Appreciation event

“The world that we’re going to face is a world wired up with technology because of Smart Nation,” he told reporters. “Are we willing to seize these opportunities?”

Calling Mendaki volunteers a “lifeline”, he said another form of outreach would be through stronger collaboration between the older generation and the young.

This could incorporate a mentoring scheme to “tap the wealth of experience of senior volunteers” so they can pass their knowledge to the next generation, he suggested.

Dr Yaacob, who is also Minister for Communications and Information and Minister-in-charge of Cyber Security, also urged volunteers to go beyond relying on organisers’ programmes and find meaningful ways to use their unique skills and passions to “enthuse a younger generation”.

He cited an example of a young man working at Lucasfilm who was willing to use his digital skills to get young Malay pupils in primary and secondary schools excited about the future of the creative industry.

“Everyone is talented in one way and has a skill which they can transfer to the next generation ... Every skill set is important, from the humble skill set of repairing electrical wiring to singing,” he said.

“That’s what we need to do, to get the next generation of volunteers to volunteer based on passion.”

At yesterday’s event, 23 volunteers received awards for their outstanding commitment to various community efforts. One of them, Mr Muhammad Sufi Sayuti, 27, clocked more than 200 hours of mentoring and tutoring three Institute of Technical Education students. While he was initially “clueless” about how to approach the youths, Mr Sufi said he now treasures his role as a big brother guiding them through their studies such as in aerospace systems, as well as being a listening ear.

“Growing up, I had always wanted a big brother to help me figure (my way around) ... So when I act as a mentor, I put myself in their shoes, and you realise they do need time and attention.

“The most fulfilling part would be watching their progress as they develop, not only academically but in their social skills,” he said, noting how his once-shy mentees are now able to express themselves freely and share their problems with him.

Another volunteer, Ms Ainina Hajir Adha Abdul Manaf, 21, also found fulfilment in mentoring secondary school youths under her charge since 2013, on top of being in the organising committee for events such as night cycling and bowling.

“Working with youth is a valuable (experience). They’re the community’s assets, with the most amount of potential, but people might think (at that age) they’re rebellious.

“They have a lot of positive aspects that we (as) mentors can bring out,” said the National University of Singapore undergraduate, who hopes to draw on her experiences to do social work in future.