SINGAPORE - Christmas came early for more than 90 children from needy families on Sunday. They were given personalised backpacks containing storybooks and stationery, to prepare them for the new school year.
More than 35 youth volunteers from Sembawang CC Youth Executive Committee (YEC) handed out the backpacks on Sunday morning. They were joined by Mr Khaw Boon Wan, adviser to Sembawang Grassroots Organisations and Minister for National Development.
The youths held a five-week donation drive across Sembawang Drive last month to collect backpacks, books and stationery from residents.
Volunteers also asked the child beneficiaries for their favourite colour, cartoon and story book genre, so that the backpacks could be personalised with their preferred items. The children come from 45 households receiving help from the government social aid scheme ComCare.
This is the YEC's first such project. Its chairman Gillian Goh, 24, said she hopes the project will create social awareness among the youths and spread festive love to those in need.
Housewife Noraini Md Jamal, 35, whose 11-year-old son received a backpack, said she hopes having his own storybook will encourage him to read. She has three other sons aged between a month old and four years old.
"I've never bought a storybook for my sons before because of our financial difficulties. We usually borrow from the library," she said.