Youths recognised for voluntary efforts in Punjab, India
Channel NewsAsia - Youths recognised for voluntary efforts in Punjab, India - channelnewsasia.com
SINGAPORE : Twenty youth volunteers from Singapore gave a school - which was poorly maintained, with little or no electricity - a makeover in December last year.
For about two weeks, the volunteers cleaned, refurbished and painted the building in Punjab, India.
The volunteers from various racial and religious groups were part of Project Khwaish, an initiative of the Young Sikh Association.
They also built a library and catalogued close to 2,500 donated books.
In addition, they conducted workshops on teaching techniques and library management in the school. Clothes and toys were also distributed to the local community.
Their contributions were recognised on Wednesday night, when Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs and Law, Ho Peng Kee, presented them with certificates of participation.
For the youths, the expedition was an opportunity to make a difference.
One participant, Dora Tay Joo Ling, said: "I started to see how people in Punjab (lived) without a lot of basic necessities like what we have in Singapore. Going on trips like this not only helps to touch the lives of others, but it also helps yourself." - CNA/ms
