Too busy to care? Young Singaporeans on why they make time for community work
Over eight in 10 young Singapore residents see helping the less fortunate and contributing to social as important life goals, according to the National Youth Survey.
While his peers were busy with schoolwork and weekend plans, then 16-year-old Mohammed Aizam Abd Rahman was working part-time as a banquet server while caring for his 69-year-old cancer-stricken grandmother.
He was close to her. She had helped his mother raise him after his father died of a sudden heart attack when he was 9.
Her medical bills put a strain on the family's finances. His mother worked as a laboratory assistant.
But the community stepped in to help.
'Neighbours sending food over, teachers and friends checking in on me at school – these small acts got us through the day-to-day,' says Mr Aizam, now 26. He is majoring in political science at Northwestern University in Illinois, the United States, on a scholarship.
'It made me realise that if people come together to help one another, anything is possible,' he adds.
Mr Mohammed Aizam Abd Rahman's experience growing up motivated him to give back, including starting an online tutoring service for students of lower-income families during the pandemic.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Mr Aizam's grandmother won her battle with ovarian cancer and lived to the age of 80. She died in 2024.
His experience growing up motivated him to give back, including starting an online tutoring service run by 1,800 volunteers for students of lower-income families during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mr Aizam is one of three young Singaporeans who wants to inspire others to contribute to the community. Their message to their peers: Yes, you can, even if you are juggling school, work and the transition to adulthood.
>8 in 10
Young people see helping the less fortunate and contributing to society as important life goals, according to the National Youth Survey. It polled over 3,500 Singapore residents aged between 15 and 34 in 2022
The three are among those contributing to the SG Youth Plan, either by participating in the SG Youth Plan Quest online (
go.gov.sg/sg-youth-plan-quest ) or through in-person engagement sessions like the SG Youth Forum.
Initiated by the National Youth Council (NYC), the SG Youth Plan gathers the views of young Singaporeans, and charts how society can better support and engage them in shaping Singapore's future.
The SG Youth Forum, also organised by NYC, is a key milestone in this engagement. It will be held on Sept 6 at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre.
What to expect at the SG Youth Forum
The SG Youth Forum is the signature event of the SG Youth Plan – a five-year action plan created by youth, for youth. It aims to address their collective aspirations and outline the support young people need.
The SG Youth Plan involves a year-long series of engagements organised by the National Youth Council for young people to reflect on their hopes for Singapore and how these goals can be achieved.
Sentiments from youth and other stakeholders gathered since November 2024 will be showcased at the forum.
The event has four components: Panel dialogue on shaping Singapore's future with Mr David Neo, Acting Minister, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth;
Marketplace where attendees can learn more about youth-led initiatives and discover the resources and opportunities available to them
Interactive workshops like personal colour analysis, charm upcycling and a curated flea market pop-up featuring local crafts and brands
Participatory Budgeting Exercise for teams to pitch ideas for youth projects and potentially win funding of up to $10,000 to put it into action
Young people can also look forward to live panels on issues that matter to them, such as dealing with interpersonal relationships and mental health.
Where: Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Level 3, Heliconia Main Ballroom and Junior Ballroom, Marina Bay Sands
When: Sept 6, 11am to 4pm
Admission: Registration is free at
go.gov.sg/sgyf-registernow
Why they care
While Mr Aizam's motivation was personal, Ms Constance Han joined community work out of a simple desire to help others – and found personal growth along the way.
The 22-year-old Nanyang Technological University freshman recalls how she used to hide her Institute of Technical Education (ITE) uniform under a jacket. She was self-conscious because of the perception among some that ITE was a place for below-average students.
Joining the Youth Corps Singapore – a national institution that supports youth in driving positive change through community service – helped her build confidence and overcome her low self-esteem.
As one of the youngest members and a co-leader, she was initially hesitant: How could she get her peers and working adults to listen to her?
'Thankfully, my group members were very understanding and it made me realise that I don't have to be so concerned about my age or my educational pathway,' she says.
Ms Constance Han says that community work has helped her build confidence and overcome her low self-esteem.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF CONSTANCE HAN
One incident that stayed with her: An elderly lady who lived alone and was hostile towards the young volunteers during home visits in the Canberra housing estate, organised by Youth Corps in 2022. 'She thought we were pestering her,' says Ms Han.
Ms Han, who speaks Teochew at home, used her dialect skills to connect with the woman, helping with tasks like reading letters sent from the Government and checking medicine labels.
Over time, the elderly woman in her 70s opened up. 'By the last few sessions, when we asked her to take a picture with us – which she used to really dislike – she was so excited, she changed into a new outfit and dolled up for the photo.'
Why they want to be there
For young people who want to step up but are unsure of how or where to start, the SG Youth Forum could be a good entry point, says Mr Ow Songkiat, 28.
Mr Ow, who recently graduated from NTU's School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, sees the event as a place to connect with peers over personal and societal issues.
'When people hear the word 'forum', they might think it's about bigger problems the country is facing, like the job market or defence,' he says. But he believes 'it will also highlight issues that are personal for young people, like mental health struggles or navigating tough times in life'.
Mr Ow has been active in the Clementi Youth Network for 11 years. The network organises activities for lower-income people like food donation drives and spring cleaning. He also mentors juniors from ITE, after graduating in 2015.
Mr Ow Songkiat, who has been involved in community work for 11 years, has simple advice for peers who want to be involved: Start small, and see where or how you want to go from there.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF OW SONGKIAT
'Why I stayed this long (in the Clementi Youth Network) is because I realised how impactful it is to help others directly. It made me happy to know that I can do that,' he says.
He's familiar with the questions that some young people may grapple with: 'How would this impact the greater community? Do my actions mean anything?
'(But) when we over-analyse and seek perfection, it hinders us from taking the first step,' he warns. 'Why not just try doing something now?'
His advice: Start small, and see where or how you want to go from there.
Both Ms Han, who is looking forward to the SG Youth Forum, and Mr Aizam agree. While Mr Aizam will not be able to attend the event as he is studying overseas, he has been participating in SG Youth Plan surveys and tasks online.
He hopes those curious about making a difference will be open to checking the event out.
'If there's a cause you care about, why not jio (invite) your friends and go together? Just go with an open mind, explore, take the chance to listen to the panels and speak to different people about what you can do.'
In partnership with the National Youth Council
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