Arising from the recent Community of Excellence: Leaders' Forum in October 2003, sectoral networks for the various areas of concerns namely, Education, Families, Youth and Employability has been formed to assist the Steering Committee in its effort to uplift the Malay/Muslim community towards excellence.

Through these networks, Malay/Muslim social service organisations can develop their unique areas of specialisation and enhance their professionalism.

As recommended during the Forum, the community must galvanise its resources and expertise to positively develop the youth into economically self-sufficient adults with positive & healthy social relationships and active citizens of the community and society. Thus the Network has been entrusted with the task of fulfilling this mission.

The objectives of the Network are:

• To roll out an implementation plan for positive youth development
• Monitor the progress and effectiveness of the various initiatives within the plan
• Build the community's competency i.e. knowledge and skills in working with youth specifically youth-at-risk

As a response to the recommendations by the Community of Excellence: Leaders' Forum on youth development and strengthening families and as one of the main initiatives of the Youth Sectoral Network, MENDAKI has initiated a positive youth development programme aptly known as Youth-in-Action.

Youth-in-Action is anchored in 3 strategic thrusts:

1. Positive role modelling i.e. there is a need to establish formal mechanisms to ensure youth benefit from positive relationship with at least one role model
2. Effective tripartite partnership between parents, schools and community so as to ensure a stable network of supporting systems
3. Upstream effort i.e. addressing youths who are potentially at risk due to their current environment and non-nurturing experiences

The programme targets youth between the age of 10-14 years old and is attending Primary 4 to Secondary 2 level.

Objectives of programme is to:

• Motivate youth to remain in school
• Reduce at-risk behaviour
• Equip youths with the 4Cs: Competency, Character, Control and Connectedness
• Enhance parent-youth relationship

We NEED you as our YOUTH MENTOR!

Youth Mentors

What is a mentor?

A mentor is both a role model and a friend whom the youth can turn to for help, to discuss issues and look for solutions. With additional guidance and support from the mentor, the youth will be more successful than others in coping with the demands of growing up.

We need volunteers who are committed to be involved in guiding and monitoring youths who are academically and socially at risk. Volunteers will provide emotional and/or motivational support to youths between the ages of 10 to 14 years old.

If you:

• Are able to spare 60 hours per academic year
• Are between the ages of 18 and 30 years old
• Have at least 'O' level qualifications
• Are willing to share knowledge and learn from others

Come join us as a mentor! Training will be provided. Email us at YPU@mendaki.org.sg

Click here to view the flowchart of the route to being a MENTOR.

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More Information on Youth

Youth Statistics

Unlike other ethnic communities in Singapore, the Malay community is faced with a high youth base. In 2000, the number of Malays aged 0 to 19 years old, constitute 37.7% of the Malay community relative to 25.8% and 30.7% of the Chinese and Indian communities respectively. In fact, it is above the national standard of 28%.

Positive Youth Development

Positive Youth Development acknowledges that youth are the resources in building the community and that all young people need support, guidance and opportunities, especially during adolescent stage.

It believes that the best way to prevent youths from becoming involved in risky behaviour is through the preventive approach i.e. by providing positive outlets for growth, as failure to do so would lead them to find potentially damaging alternatives e.g. gang membership.

It is designed to focus on the positive outcomes we desire for young people. If previous methodology asks the question "What leads the young to anti-social behaviour?" the new one focuses on "What protects the young from anti-social behaviour?"

The distinction may seem subtle but it is outstandingly different in practice and even in our approach. It requires the change in mindset and the dialogue shifts from one that focuses on youths with problems to one in which communities can begin defining what youths need in order to grow into healthy individuals.

Vision for the Youth

The vision for the youth could be sum up by the 5Cs:

Competency
Character
Connectedness
Control
Contribution

With the 5Cs, it is hoped that our youths would be world-ready youths, able to stay rooted and successful in face of greater challenges!

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