MENDAKI CLUB 2014 COLLABORATIONS, CAPACITY BUILDING & INCLUSIVENESS About MENDAKI Club our vision A dynamic and progressive young generation of Malay/Muslim Singaporeans with a strong commitment to society and plugged into the global community. our mission Our mission is to engage young Malay/Muslim Singaporeans through Thought and Action. We do this by fostering a community of young Malay/Muslim professionals which: •Build bridges within the Malay/Muslim community, and between our community and other communities to promote mutual understanding and cooperation • Participate actively in discussions on current developments in the local and global arena •Engage in strategic youth development initiatives to act as positive agents of change in the community and nation MENDAKI Club, or MClub, is a community of Malay/Muslim young professionals and students who are engaged in affairs concerning the community, Singapore and the world. We engage in strategic youth development initiatives and participate actively in discussions on current developments in the local and global arena. We also strive to build bridges within the Malay/Muslim community, and between our community and other communities, to promote mutual understanding and cooperation. MClub was launched in 2000 by then-DPM Lee Hsien Loong and constantly seeks new and interested individuals to be part of its growing community. As a registered society affiliated to the Malay/Muslim Self-Help Group Yayasan MENDAKI, the activities and programmes of MClub are largely organised and run by volunteers from a wide range of professions and backgrounds. PROGRAM PIPELINE 3 ADVANCED PROGRAMMES 2 INTERMEDIATE PROGRAMMES 1 FOUNDATIONAL PROGRAMMES Professional Outreach CONNECT WITH US mendakiclub.org.sg Mendaki Club Mendaki Club Group Mendaki Club mendakiclub TERTIARY NETWORK mclubsg Mendaki Club App YOUNG MINDS CLUB 1 ABOUT MENDAKI CLUB ADVISOR’S MESSAGE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE This year marks MENDAKI Club (MClub) 15th year of existence. Increasing number of Malay/Muslim young professionals and students has stepped forward to contribute back to our community. MClub has contributed to this trend by enhancing its existing suite of programmes and built on the new initiatives launched the year before. Signature events such as Graduates’ Tea, Young Professionals’ Day and MClub Conversation Series were well attended and saw lively discussions among the participants. These events continue to provide a platform for MClub to engage stakeholders on issues that matter to them. More importantly, these events gave the young an opportunity to be inspired and discover ways on how they too can give back to society at large. In encouraging young professionals to be involved and contribute to society, MClub’s Leadership Incubator (LI) programme has achieved good progress. LI members worked in teams to identify critical community needs and implemented projects which created a positive impact. For instance, volunteers from “The Numbers Story” project had helped bridge the learning gap by teaching Mathematics to less-privileged children aged six through storytelling and the use of technology. Another example is “Project Khadijah” which sought to increase financial stability and sustainability for single mothers via better job matching and retention. MClub’s efforts to leverage on technology to enhance service delivery are indeed commendable. Besides the mobile application, the Young Minds Club (YMC) also developed a Web Application in an effort to contribute back to our pioneers. It allows them to enter information about senior citizens’ food choices and capture preferences and trends. It is also heartening to note the increased number of parents’ involvement in our YMC programmes. These initiatives are made possible by partners that believe in MClub’s Vision and Mission. They open their doors for collaborations and gave access to the Club to carry out their programmes. Partners like Beyond Social Services, Google Singapore and Al-Amin Mosque, just to name a few, played a critical role in MClub’s success in 2014 and I thank them for their support. This gotongroyong spirit has contributed significantly to the Club’s success and I hope this will continue for years to come. Dear Members, This year has seen plenty of growth opportunities for the Club. The team of ExCo members and myself went through periods of high intensity, not only in executing the Club’s activities and programmes but also realigning the work, internal processes and exploring new partnerships that would put the Club in a better position to further fully engage the Malay/Muslim community and other communities in Singapore. DR YAACOB IBRAHIM Minister for Communications and Information and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs I am pleased to note that the current ExCo, led by its President Mr Jeffrey Salleh, has invested time and effort to ensure a smooth succession planning and leadership transition. On this note, I would like to thank the outgoing ExCo for their contributions and wish the incoming team all the very best as they build on the achievements as well as the experience of their predecessors. As MClub marks its 15th year, I hope that it will continue to strengthen its offerings and position itself as a key institution for Malay/Muslim students and young professionals to not only serve the community, but to develop themselves as well. With the participation of committed, passionate and talented volunteers, I believe MClub will be in good a position to realise its vision of “A dynamic and progressive young generation of Malay/ Muslim Singaporeans”. 2 ADVISOR’S MESSAGE We continued 2014 with our key primary themes of Collaboration, Capacity Building and Inclusiveness for all our activities and programmes. As you go through this yearbook, you will find examples of one or more of these three themes and their manifestations in our activities and programmes. Each one of us who were involved in the programmes from ExCo members to sub-committee members were conscious in our effort to ensure that the programmes have one or more of the key primary themes. I would also like to pay a great tribute to the team of extremely dedicated team mates in the form of my ExCo members. While our number is small, they have made great contributions to the club but most importantly their contributions impacted our members and the community at large especially the Muslim youths in school and the young professionals. Our club and the ExCo are blessed with a dedicated team of sub-committee members who like each one of my team members, selflessly sacrificed their time and brought much value to our programmes. I am humbled and privileged to get to know them and have them as part of my life. Jeffrey Salleh President MENDAKI Club Executive Committee 2013/2015 This year is also the last year I am helming this club. I joined the club because of its progressive thoughts, boldness in its execution, diverse in terms of its membership and its ability to impact positively to our Muslim community and beyond. After spending four years as an ExCo member which includes two years as the Club’s president, I know all these characteristics are alive and well. In transitioning to a new team, the office bearers have spent a significant amount of time getting the best individuals that we can possibly find in our community to continue carrying forward MClub’s Vision and Mission. I hope they will continue to have the support of our members, partners and other Malay/ Muslim organisations who have been giving my team and myself great support during my term. I trust the club is in good hands with the next team. I wish them well and may Allah bring them to greater heights and all of us closer to things that are pleasing to HIM. 3 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE MENDAKI CLUB EXCO 2013/2015 INDAH PUTRI ANDAYANI EXCO Member SITI NURBIAH DAUD NUR ATIQAH MUNIRAH Secretary WARDHA MOHD SAID Secretariat Secretariat NUR AMALINA ZULKEFLI EXCO Member ATIQAH HALIM Vice President JEFFREY SALLEH President ADAM HASHIDY Treasurer MUHAMMAD NADJAD ABDUL RAHIM MUHAMAD FIRDAUS HAMZAH Assistant Treasurer MOHAMMAD AZREE RAHIM Assistant Secretary EXCO Member 4 EXCO MEMBERS 5 EXCO MEMBERS SHAHROM TAHA EXCO Member YOung MInds Club The Young Minds Club (YMC) is the youngest wing of MENDAKI Club. The YMC programmes are tailored for Malay/Muslim secondary school students and center on nurturing holistic life skills, capacity building and personal development. The curriculum is developed and delivered by young Malay/ Muslim professionals and undergraduates, many of whom eventually become mentors and role models to junior members of YMC. The programmes focus on the current needs of the students and how they can contribute positively to society. While YMC-ians make a constant effort in growing and empowering themselves through participation in workshops and planning of events, they also engage in volunteering efforts from time to time. This keeps them aware of the presence of the less fortunate and serves as a way to help these people. Recently, more YMC graduates are contributing as members of the YMC subcommittee, effectively helping to ensure a continual pool of committed volunteers connected to and familiar with the mission and vision of YMC. YMC Initiation 2014 Young Minds Club (YMC) Initiation is held annually to welcome new members to the Club. YMC Initiation introduces the programme and how it can benefit students holistically. Attendees were treated to an afternoon of performances by current YMC members and team-bonding activities. The event was put together by a core team of YMC members who showcased their ability at event management—a skill that the freshmen can look forward to learning and practise. Parents of these Malay/Muslim Secondary 1 students also had the opportunity to attend a seminar on how to be more involved in their child’s mental and emotional development as they make the transition to their secondary school years. Invited speakers were Mr Mohamed Khair Bin Mohamed Noor, CEO, Chief Consultant & Master Trainer of SuChi Success Initiatives Pte Ltd and Mr Ahmad Taufiq, PhD Candidate in Family Ecology, University Putra Malaysia. The panel session also offered tips for parents with teenage children. YMC Alumnus Muhammad Danish Fawaz also shared his experiences and key takeaways from the YMC programme. Speakers of Parents' Seminar at YMC Initiation 2014 with Mohamed Danish Fawaz and Jeffrey Salleh The organising commitee with participants of YMC Initiation 2014! …to inspire and to reach out “ to youths of our generation to step up to become leaders at a young age. To be leaders who are also followers. To be a leader who is compassionate and empathetic like Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). A leader who is a role model… Mohamed Danish Fawaz Member of YMC Alumni YMC Members who were part of the organising committee for YMC Initiation 2014 ” Facilitating the games session with participants of YMC Initiation 2014! 7 YOUNG MINDS CLUB YMC CAREER CAFÉ Speakers of YMC Career Café were presented tokens of appreciation for their contribution to the event Young Minds Club (YMC) has always kept the ambitions of the young ones as part of the curriculum planning. The Career Café is no exception. This event provides an avenue for young Muslim professionals to network with other members and inspire them to continue working hard towards their goals. The Career Café is an excellent opportunity for me to network with professionals in many different fields. It is natural for a 16-year-old to be exploring career options at this stage. The free time that I may have post-As/pre-NS, I choose to gain insights into possible careers through internships and seminars. Why is this session so important to me then? It is to be able to map out my career ambitions at a young age with a backup plan. I would like a career with monetary gains and guaranteed success. However, keeping our options open will work in our favour. When we keep our options open, it helps us eradicate the sense of hopelessness that we may feel when we experience failure. This session builds an excellent foundation for all of us to get to know professionals and ask them questions in their areas of expertise. Through informal chat sessions, we were able to interact with these professionals. It is beneficial and should be continued as it gives us a reality check and not a rose-tinted view of life ahead of us. The Career Café is part of the YMC curriculum to provide a channel for us to explore different career options and help us make informed decisions when the time comes. Muhammad Syafiq B Mohamed Sahrom YMC Member YMC Members with the residents from Jamiyah Children's Home YMC Community involvement project Not many other moments in my life have impacted me as much as the Community Involvement Project with Jamiyah Children’s Home in which my friends and I were a part of. All of us had merely planned on being involved in running the programme, but we were in for an experience far greater. The feeling of satisfaction came not from carrying out our roles but from the smiles that we see on the children’s faces as the day went along. Although we had a limited time to interact with these children, seeing them smile made up for what we wished we could have had more of—to hear their stories. It was only after the programme was over that I started to picture the untold story behind each of their faces. This motivates me to help the less fortunate in any way that I can and to learn from their life experiences. Putting our efforts into planning a fun event for them was the least that we could do, given that these children have been through so much. All of us at YMC are definitely looking forward to going back to Jamiyah Children’s Home every year with junior members in hopes of making a bigger difference. There is a lot more we can do as youths to give back to society, and we will certainly embark on similar projects in the future. Insha’Allah, by the grace of Allah. Naveed Jeeva YMC Member Preparation of team building activities with the residents at Jamiyah Children's Home YMC Members with speakers of YMC Career Café 2014 8 YOUNG MINDS CLUB 9 YOUNG MINDS CLUB Tertiary Network Looking back on ymc “I first decided to join MENDAKI Club out of curiosity and wanted to find out more about what they do. As I attended more sessions, it became a bigger part of my life and I wanted to commit more time to the club. It provides me a platform to give back to society through community service. It also allows me to meet new people and develop my leadership skills,” said Mohamad Danial Fahmie, YMC alumnus. “The difference made does not have to be big for it to be significant. A little goes a long way and what really matters is that we are doing something to bring about a difference,” he said when asked about his contributions. Motivated to develop his leadership skills, Danial decided to take on bigger roles at various events hosted by the club. “YMC can be more involved in community projects by helping out in large-scale Community Involvement Programme or organising more charity drives. This can achieve even more success with more members entering our club and contributing their ideas in ways to give back to society.” He said YMC has helped its members hone their skills in various aspects and highly recommends others to be a part of the club. Danial who now mentors junior members, continues to participate in the club’s activities. The club is also a great place to make new friends and to learn values such as empathy and humility. Mohamad Danial Fahmie (most left) with other YMC Members at YMC Initiation 2014. 10 YOUNG MINDS CLUB Officially formed in 2014, Tertiary Network (TN) addresses the needs of Malay/Muslim youth pursuing tertiary education at various institutions in Singapore, as well as FullTime National Servicemen (NSFs). The committee aims to provide these individuals with relevant skills and knowledge towards academic excellence and insights into life beyond school. TN is a platform for them to gain access to an extensive network of industry professionals and valuable opportunities promoting seamless transitions into the workforce. It also integrates members from the foundational programme, Young Minds Club, enrolling them into the Professional Outreach and Leadership Incubator initiatives as part of a holistic youth development effort. App helps capture seniors’ preferences for donated food Idea is to move from giving pre-packed rations to market concept that lets recipients choose which items they need. SINGAPORE: Distributing food and groceries to the needy is a common part of community work, but such items have been known to go to waste when they do not suit the recipients’ lifestyle needs or preferences. To tackle this problem, a group of youths from Mendaki Club has developed a Web application that allows them to enter and store information about senior citizens’ food choices and capture preferences and trends. The information collated in this database will then be passed to senior activity centres and the Central Singapore Community Development Council, so food distribution programmes can be conducted more efficiently. The organising committee with volunteers of <Youth>Innovates Food Distribution Project at Teck Ghee <YOUTH> Innovates Food Distribution Projects <Youth> Innovates aims to imbibe the spirit of innovation and the habit of independent problem-solving. Achieved by mentoring youth in analysing current approaches to tackling community issues and questioning ingrained assumptions, these youths are then challenged to introduce alternative ways to address these concerns. The ability to adapt to adversities is an essential building block of youth resilience. Their first social experiment this year was to review the process of food rationing in Singapore in collaboration with Central Singapore CDC. YMC alumni from various junior colleges along with the Malay, Indian and Chinese Cultural Clubs of Raffles Institution explored methods to improve food ration distribution to the elderly. To allow them to choose their food rations, the students—under the mentorship of a group of young professionals of various races and expertise—reimagined food rationing by using an approach where the elderly were given credits to ‘purchase’ items at the mini store that was set up. The exercise enabled The idea, said Mr Muhammad Nadjad Abdul Rahim, 26, who is a co- developer, is to move from giving out pre-packed rations to a market concept involving community stakeholders such as resident volunteers and neighbourhood food suppliers, where recipients can choose which items they need. Close to 80 Mendaki Club student volunteers from various secondary schools, polytechnics and junior colleges are volunteering for the project. Beginning last December, they visited more than 680 seniors living in Lengkok Bahru and Teck Ghee to understand which food items they preferred. The application was developed last month. Following that, the volunteers collected data from more than 600 seniors over the past two An article featuring one of the <Youth> Innovates Food Distribution projects the participants to gather information to devise an effective and efficient method to ensure the beneficiaries receive customised food packs. An app was also trialled using the Oracle Applications Express platform, designed to incorporate the use of technology to help others. Their good work was featured extensively on mainstream media. This was made possible by the sponsorship of Serial System, Zhi Zhen Tan Dao Xue Hui (Singapore), NTUC Fairprice Foundation, TouristPads and help from local partners: NTUC SilverACE, Lions’ Befrienders and Teck Ghee CCMC. spread this new concept of food rationing in Singapore. With the success of this project … I reckon that more and more members of society will want to be involved. For example, more of such projects can be promoted among general public, where they can sign up as volunteers to assist in the execution of these projects. Izzat Rashad Rosazizi Committee Member ” The organising committee with volunteers of <Youth>Innovates Food Distribution Project at Lengkok Bahru Main Objectives of <Youth> Innovates Food Distribution Project • To reduce food wastage • To bridge the gap between the young and old generations • To form new community-based collaborations The organising committee of <Youth>Innovates Food Distribution Project at Teck Ghee 12 tertiary network great way for the community “toAget involved is to continue to Elderly beneficiaries patiently queuing to "purchase" items at the mini store set up by the organising committee 13 TERTIARY NETWORK Committee members in charge of registration and ushering duties A joint initiative by MENDAKI Club and Young AMP, PRAXIS takes on its fourth year at building a network of socially-conscious youth and empowering them to make a difference in society. Through a framework comprising online discussions, residential workshops, project planning and execution, PRAXIS aims to groom youth aged 17-21 to engage in community-based projects by equipping them with the relevant skills and access to resources. PRISM (Project by Rahman, Irsyaad, Syamil & Muhammad) with participants of <Youth> Innovates Arduino Project It is hoped that the knowledge gained in project management will not only ease the way for participants when they embark on future social efforts, but also contribute to an increase in youth involvement in community development. Formed in 2010, PRAXIS has since seen an increase in participation and organisational engagements every year. The partnership will continue to play an active role in forging bonds and strengthening ties within the community and beyond. <YOUTH> Innovates arduino Project PRISM is the brainchild of four undergraduates striving to make technological production more accessible to youth in the community. As part of an initiative by <Youth> Innovates this year, the team partnered with Beyond Social Services to introduce students at the primary and secondary levels to build their own goal-line technology on the Arduino platform using Scratch and IR sensors. The Robo-Referee Workshop was held in December; the four-day workshop was targeted at youths aged between 10 to 15 years old, living in rental flats within the Henderson neighbourhood, and YMC students. The objective was to equip them with the basic knowledge in programming and electronics. It also served as a way to review concepts learned in schools, reinforcing the link between knowledge acquired in school and its practical use. The workshop culminated in a penalty shootout displaying the works of the participants. The team behind the project was able to reach out and engage the community to experiment with new technology in light of the 2014 Fifa World Cup and the implementation of goal-line technology at the matches. <Youth> Innovates hopes to see the venture fashion into a creative cluster of innovative youth and spur them to think creatively. PRISM will also continue to engage those who share the same passion and interest to facilitate similar workshops in the future. I see PRAXIS as a platform for “ teenagers like me to start playing a part in contributing to society, especially within our own community. Through social involvement and the camp that I have participated in previously, I found joy in giving back, even in the smallest of efforts like entertaining and making time for the old folks… Muhammad Noor Hidayat PRAXIS 3.5 Participant ” Snippets of Praxis 3.5 at SL Kampung For more information on PRAXIS, visit mendakiclub.org.sg/praxis Snippets of the four-day Robo-Referee workshop at IDA Labs. For more information, watch full video and highlights of the workshop on MENDAKI Club’s YouTube channel! 14 tertiary network PRAXIS participants, facilitators and mentors reunited at a sustenance activity 15 tertiary network GRADUATES’ TEA 2014 Each year, Graduates’ Tea is held to celebrate the achievements of Muslim graduates for completing their tertiary education. Held at Hilton Singapore, the afternoon highlighted the importance of providing graduates with insights into life post-graduation and paving the way towards a successful personal and professional life. This year’s event saw the highest number of attendees in recent years. Featured speakers like Dr Rufaihah Abdul Jalil, Senior Research Scientist at Department of Surgery, National University of Singapore; Mr Effendy Ibrahim, Senior Director, RTM & Channel Marketing, Asia-Pacific & Japan at Symantec Corporation; Ms Adlina Anis, entrepreneur; and Ustaz Saif-ur-Rahman, Islamic educator and coach drew on their experiences during the dialogue session which focused on the theme of Connecting The Dots. You can make a living “out of your passion if you are sincere.” Ms Adlina Anis The organising committee with Speakers of Graduates’ Tea 2014 The world that you are going “ to inherit is different from what About 300 graduates filled the Ballroom at Hilton Hotel Graduates were also given a chance to post questions to the esteemed panel of speakers Speakers shared insights on their professional life with attendees of the event we have today. You have to find the passion in you to do the things that will drive and inspire you. Be bold. Seize opportunities... Dr Yaacob Ibrahim ” You should not do something “ just to strike it off your To-do list. You should do something more than what is required of you. Mr Effendy Ibrahim ” Graduates who were part of the event's social media campaign were also featured in Berita Harian Graduates' Tea 2014 feature in Berita Harian For more information on Graduates’ Tea, visit mendakiclub.org.sg/graduatestea Panel and Question & Answer session with Speakers of Graduates' Tea 2014 16 tertiary network 17 Tertiary network PROFESSIONAL OUTREACH Encompassing three distinct programmes: Mentoring, Leadership Incubator, and Conversations, Professional Outreach provides young professionals with opportunities to engage in various professional development activities. Started in 2007, these initiatives allow them to connect and engage with industry influencers in support of their personal and professional development. With our resources, these young professionals will be able to better ready themselves for future career undertakings. Attendees of Young Professionals’ Day 2014 Young Professionals’ Day The second Young Professionals’ Day (YPD) was held in November 2014 to celebrate the completion of the year’s MClub Leadership Incubator Programme. Themed Enabling Human Potential, the event highlighted six key community projects developed by the Club’s Leadership Incubator (LI) participants. The LI programme was introduced in 2011 to provide a systematic training and development opportunities to youth leaders in the Malay/ Muslim community. Existing partnerships with Beyond Social Services and Darul Ma’wa were strengthened through the implementation of various projects in the past year. The participants were able to make new connections and gain a broader perspective on community issues. MClub is seeing an increasing trend of young professionals contributing their time, effort and expertise to the Club. For those who were looking to meet like-minded people, network and share information or resources, the event offered the opportunity. A total of 60 attendees including graduates, young professionals and representatives from key partner organisations were present at YPD 2014. Ice breaker and discussion session led by Leadership Incubator participants One of the six teams from MClub Leadership Incubator Programme Dr Yaacob contributing to the doodle board that summed up the event and community ideas presented 19 PROFESSIONAL OUTREACH conversations Four sessions of the Conversations Series were held in 2014: MClub Leadership Incubator participants attended various sessions to get different perspectives of Leadership, including in Martial arts Leadership Incubator Project pitching session to other young professionals and potential partner organisations The Leadership Incubator Programme, brings together individuals from the Malay/Muslim community, drawing on a mix of different backgrounds and working professions that allows for a dynamic learning experience. Participants go through an 10-month incubation programme consisting of seminars, workshops, interaction with various organisations and monthly check-ins. Forming groups of three to four members, they are then assigned to work at an organisation to formulate a communitybased programme that can potentially be implemented by the organisation at a larger scale. • Unity in Diversity, which included a walking tour in Little India and personal interaction with a vibrant mix of migrant workers to discuss on unique issues faced by them • Impacting Change through Technology, with Mr Erwan Mace from Bitsmedia Pte Ltd which discussed on technology’s role in being positive agents of change in the community • A closed-door session with Dr Ismail Seralgeldin, Founding Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA) which touched on Lessons in Leadership • Dr Ismail Seralgeldin with Jeffrey Salleh An inter-faith discussion on the topic of Spirituality & Society with Ustaz Muhammad Fazalee Jaafar, Assistant Head, Harmony Centre, Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS), Master Adrian Long, Singapore Taoist Federation and Mr Gerald Kong Teck Wee, Executive Secretary, Arcdiocesan Catholic Council for Interreligious Dialogue It is a great opportunity to “ gather insights from experts and learn new things.” Faridah Saad Participant The Numbers Story Teaching mathematics through storytelling, The Numbers Story was developed as an enrichment programme for children aged six from low-income families. According to research conducted by the team behind the project, stories can create vivid, powerful and memorable images in our minds, making it easier for the brain to process and retain information in both adults and children. The weekly interaction benefited not only the children at an academic level, but also the facilitators; they were able to better understand the struggles of low-income households as they develop a more personal bond with the young learners over the course of the trial classes. “ The programme covers relevant lessons like design thinking, systems thinking, strategy and futurism, all to get young professionals to think differently about societal issues, and to eventually form a project that will help the community. Erliana Zaid Participant ” Future plans to further develop and expand the programme includes engaging educators to help fine-tune the curriculum and reaching out to SMEs and MNCs to conduct 12-week classes at various kindergartens nationwide for students from low-income household as part of their corporate social responsibility efforts. Participants of "Unity in Diversity" Conversation series The Numbers Story is one of the six projects developed by Leadership Incubator participants. For more information on all projects, visit mendakiclub.org.sg/professionaloutreach/leadership-incubator. php. Mr Erwan Mace with participants of "Impacting Change through Technology" Conversation series 20 Professional outreach 21 PROFESSIONAL OUTREACH Conversations with the migrant workers at the “Unity in Diversity” Conversation series Information & Technology In this three-day workshop, MENDAKI Club uses its mobile app to instill interest in technology among students between the ages of 15 and 19. The workshop covers the basics for youth who are interested in programming and developing mobile phone applications. Held at Sultan Mosque, the afternoon saw participants from other Malay/Muslim organisations and madrasahs as well, as part of its primary objective of strengthening bonds within the community. This initiative hopes to promote systematic and logical thinking in youth, building a generation of tech-savvy individuals. Singapore delegates at the ASEAN Youth Leaders' Training programme in China. Khairil Sianipar (left) and Nur Ahdiah Salleh (middle), participants of MClub programmes, represented the Club at the Training programme Participants of the workshop in the concluding session Overseas Exchange Programmes ASEAN Youth Leaders’ Training Programme in China (ASEAN YLTP) A truly enriching experience this has been. We were very blessed to be given the opportunity to be a part of this programme. Meeting other youth leaders and exchanging views while forging meaningful relationships made it even more special. Participants of the workshop demonstrating the development of mobile application to Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Guest-of-Honour for the event The participants were also mentored by a number of MClub volunteers with background in Information and Technology We had not given much thought to China and its economic and global influence prior to this trip. This opportunity has completely shifted our perspective on this amazing part of the world. From the generous hospitality to the government insights presented to us, we were truly humbled to be a part of the programme. We gathered that with sheer determination, meticulous planning and execution, coupled with the most important component of a great vision, anything is possible. This programme has made us really excited about the future. With ASEAN strengthening its ties and China blazing the trail, prosperous times lie ahead. The ability to exchange skills and ideas between different parties has to be a continuous effort to reap its benefit. No one should think of themselves as the best but to work together towards bigger accomplishments. We learned a lot about the country through the people that we met. We realised the value and importance of hard work from the owner of a small Chinese restaurant and reminded of the sacrifice we have to make in life for those that we care for. We also learned that regardless of where we come from, we all share the same goal, and that is to better ourselves. We all have a part to play in shaping our future. It is foolish to think that a single person has no power to effect a positive change. Each of us has the ability and together we can make an even bigger difference. Nur Ahdiah Salleh Khairil Sianipar ASEAN YLTP 2014 Participants A feature on the three-day workshop in Berita Harian 22 Information & technology 23 OVERSEAS EXCHANGE PROGRAMMES Overseas Programmes World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) Japan-ASEAN-Oceania Student & Youth Exchange Programme (JENESYS) He wanted to make a difference and add value to the community. Noor Hanisah Noordin hopes that she has been a good representative of her country, race and religion. Firdaus Hamzah joined MENDAKI Club as a step towards achieving his goal. “Personally, I left the programme with amazing memories of experiencing beautiful Japan, befriending international delegates and the unforgettable, heartwarming homestay. Nevertheless, one of my favourite takeaway from the experience was the friendship formed amongst our Singapore delegates.” “I was involved in spearheading the Leadership Incubator (LI) programme, in which selected young professionals embark on a 10-month journey of personal development and community involvement.” He was also selected to be a part of World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) Young Fellows 2014 that was held in Manila in which selected a one-week intensive programme focusing on youth leadership and bringing together young leaders from all over the world. Noor Hanisah said the eight-day trip made her realise the presence of a strong Singaporean identity that she had previously thought of as non-existing, while preparing for a cultural showcase—the delegates performed to a medley of Singapore National Day songs while donning costumes of different races. “It's amazing to be part of a growing community of like-minded professionals and understand more about our community and society through this experience,” he said. “I foresee and look forward to local collaborations in community work and in building a better Singapore,” she said. He wants to apply what he has learned from the overseas training experience to improve the quality of the LI programme through future partnerships. “I believe the main cause of the event was to promote social harmony, appreciation of others and unity, regardless of our perceived differences. I hope to maintain the friendship I've formed with the participants of the exchange programme, Singaporean or not.” “We are keen to work with any interested community partners who have growth opportunities within their organisations in serving the community, and with development partners who are able to value-add to the 10-month journey with their expertise.” “I also hope to learn more about other cultures by interacting with different people around me, attending cultural events and immerse myself into communities other than my own.” Muhamad Firdaus Hamzah Assistant Treasurer of MClub ExCo 2013/15 WIEF 2014 participant She said that one does not have to travel out of Singapore to experience a cultural exchange. Singapore is home to many people coming from different countries and getting to know these people is a step towards appreciating others. Noor Hanisah Noordin MClub Volunteer JENESYS 2014 participant Group photo of WIEF 2014 Participants Youth Leadership Exchange Programme The Youth Leadership Exchange Programme (YLEP) is a key bilateral programme between youth development bodies in Singapore and the National Youth Council. The programme serves to develop the next generation of leaders and affirms the importance of the role our youths can play at strengthening relationship between ASEAN nations and progressing together toward an even brighter future. Nur Atiqah Munirah (right) and her buddy from Brunei Darussalam at SBYLEP 2014. The five-day workshop held in Singapore with the theme Social Innovation this year, saw participating youths sharing their ideas and experiences in overcoming challenges as well as exploring new opportunities. The 3P (People, Private, Public) approach was introduced to improve communitybased initiatives in the region. The concept highlights social innovation through collaborations. YLEP has since played host to two ASEAN countries: Brunei and Malaysia. The programme provides an opportunity to network and insights into the process of tackling problems and providing solutions of each country. It is designed to stimulate youths to be catalysts for change and in creating an integrated ASEAN community. Singapore and Brunei delegates of SBYLEP 2014 I feel there is potential in “ youths to act as agents of social change. I also feel that I was able to contribute ideas and share experiences in terms of pertinent issues or plausible ways in uplifting the community, from my background in the social service sector. Nur Atiqah Munirah MClub Secretariat SBYLEP 2014 participant ” Singapore and Malaysia delegates of SMYLEP 2014 The community can come up with “ Social Innovation ideas that will help create a positive impact in Singapore and work together using the 3P (People, Private, Public) approach. Wardha Mohd Said MClub Secretariat SMYLEP 2014 participant 24 OVERSEAS EXCHANGE PROGRAMMES 25 OVERSEAS EXCHANGE PROGRAMMES ” MClub Iftar 2014 MClub Iftar was held at Al-Amin Mosque, joined by Google Singapore in this unique collaboration. Members and volunteers were given the opportunity to engage with the community in the month of Ramadan through food hamper distribution. The pioneer generation was in for a bigger treat with house visits and an invitation to the mass iftar. This year, Google Singapore conducted a workshop at the mosque adding a technological twist to the yearly event. Families were able to experience the interactive workshop and bonded through various activities. The event aims to bring the community and families together through such an initiative. The partnership extends beyond the day with some of the youth volunteers undergoing training with Google Singapore. A conversation session was also hosted on the topic of Spirituality and Society, where both the speaker and attendees shared their views on the subject. The annual gathering serves as a platform to reach out to the community and establishing new relationships. Every year we see the committee members working with volunteers on community events such as this to encourage people to play a more active part in society. For more information on MClub Iftar, watch full video of the media interview on MENDAKI Club’s YouTube channel! Attendees of MClub Eid Gathering 2014 MClub Eid Gathering 2014 MClub Eid Gathering is held every year, bringing together all MClub members to celebrate the month of Syawal. In addition to mingling and networking, guests were also given the opportunity to learn more about potential collaborations within the Club and other upcoming plans. Tokens of appreciation were presented to volunteers of MClub events held throughout 2014 in recognition of their commitment and dedication to the club. Volunteers of various MClub programmes MClub volunteers were presented tokens of appreciation for their contribution in MClub events in 2014 Snippets of Food hamper distribution and MClub Iftar 2014 26 MEMBErSHIP 27 MEMBErSHIP acknowledgements Young Minds Club Subcommittee Members • Firdaus Alip • Muhammad Hilmi Abu Bakar • Muhammad Bin Kamit • Nadiah Mohammad Yusoff Speakers for Graduates’ Tea • Ms Rufaihah Jalil • Beyond Social Services • Mr Effendy Ibrahim • Google Singapore • Ms Adlina Anis • Masjid Al-Amin • Ustaz Saif-ur-Rahman • IDA Labs Subcommittee for PRAXIS • Shazni Zulkifli • Noor Hanisah Noordin • Eman Lim • Nur Shahirah Nassir Junior Facilitators • Nur Dalilah Akehsan • Junie Zafira • Muhammad Faris Adam • Nur Zahirah Ismail • Mohamed Danish Fawaz • Muhammad Noor Hidayat • Muhammad Idris Bin Abrahim • Sharifah Nur’aisyah Syed Iskandar • Muhammad Haziq Bin Mohd Rashid • Junie Zafira • Aslam Shah Iskhandar Shah • Tengku Ahmad Syamil • Muhammad Syakir Hashim Tertiary Network • Zafirah Mohamed • Nasuha Thaha Subcommittee for <Youth> Innovates Food Distribution Projects • Tan Weilie • Lok Yanlin • Bhavan Jaipragas • Liyana Soh • Elissa James • Tan Zhi Feng • Mohd Zaidi Bin Ariffin Subcommittee for <Youth> Innovates Arduino Project • Abdul Rahman bin Ahmad • Syamil Maulod • Syed Irsyaad • Muhammad bin Rahmat • Hakim Bin Hamid Subcommittee for Graduates’ Tea • Widyawilis Selamat • Salmiza Zainon • Su Elina Subandrio • Latifah Ishar • Ali Selamat • Muhammad Firdaus Partners Professional Outreach Speaker for Young Professionals’ Day Calling for Volunteers! • Central Singapore CDC • NTUC Fairprice Foundation • NTUC SilverACE • Lions’ Befrienders • TouristPads • Teck Ghee CCMC • Serial System • Zhi Zhen Tan Dao Xue Hui (Singapore) • Young Association of Muslim Professionals • National Library Board • Handicaps Welfare Association • Transient Workers Count Too • Band of Doodlers editorial team • Nur Atiqah Munirah • Shahrom Taha • Mr Mas Shafreen Sirat Subcommittee for Leadership Incubator • Khairul Anwar • Zafirah Mohamed • Mohamed Rushdy Hakam Speakers for Leadership Incubator • Douglas O’loughlin • Ustaz Saif-ur-Rahman Subcommittee for Conversations BE PART OF MCLUB AND GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH OUR VARIOUS PROGRAMMES AND VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES! • Faridah Saad • Alia Fatin Abdullah • Erliana Zaid GET IN TOUCH WITH US • Farah Sidek Speakers for Conversations • Muhammad Iylia • Dr Ismail Seralgeldin • Nur Syazwani Nordin • Mr Erwan Mace • Diyana Amin • Ustaz Muhammad Fazalee Jaafar • Rina Rasid • Master Adrian Long • Nur Atikah Abdul Rahman • Mr Gerald Kong Teck Wee 28 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS www.mendakiclub.org.sg Designed by Visual Inconsideration [email protected] +65 245 5818 / 5717 51 KEE SUN AVENUE SINGAPORE 457056
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