Singapore Red Cross Youth Pay It Forward To Pioneer Generation For SG50

  • For the first time, a community service element in line with MOE’s Values In Action programme is introduced to the annual Red Cross Youth camp
  • 150 students will play host to 200 elderly residents in Tampines

Singapore, 31 May 2015 – In appreciation of the Pioneer Generation’s contributions towards Singapore’s nation-building efforts, 150 Red Cross Youth played host to 200 elderly residents in Tampines today. The event was part of the 2-day annual Singapore Red Cross Youth camp, Linkamania. Mr Heng Swee Keat, Minister for Education & Adviser to Tampines GROs was in attendance as guest of honour.

The youths served lunch and befriended the elderly residents – who were invited from Tampines, Jamiyah Home for the Aged and Goldencare Group – and even presented them with take-home food packs and first aid kits. This is the first time a community service element in line with Ministry of Education’s (MOE) Values in Action (VIA) programme has been added to the camp, now in its 13th year. Linkamania, an overnight camp usually targeted at primary school students or Links, also got a boost in attendance this year. Over 350 students from Primary, Secondary, ITE, Junior Colleges, Polytechnics & Universities joined in as mentors and participants.

In addition to a day of games and performances, youth and healthcare volunteers also conducted free health screenings for the 200 beneficiaries and the public. The tests performed were to identify common ailments the elderly may be suffering from and included blood pressure checks and cognitive testing to detect early signs of dementia and depression.

“As part of our celebration of SG50 this year and recognition of our pioneers, Linkamania 2015 aims to get both the young and old to embrace the spirit of inclusiveness while nurturing the spirit of compassion in the Links to contribute back to society. The activities today are therefore aimed at facilitating robust interaction between our youth and the senior citizens present,” said Mr Tee Tua Ba, Chairman, Singapore Red Cross.

Linkamania is a 2-day camp inaugurated in 2003 with only 2 districts and now participated by 20 – 30 schools each year. The camp is one of the Singapore Red Cross initiatives to provide VIA platforms to mould youths into concerned citizens in line with MOE’s focus on Character and Citizenship Education (CCE) and emphasis on 21st Century Education Competencies.

The addition of a community service element to Linkamania draws inspiration from one of Singapore Red Cross’ newly introduced services ‘Community-Led Action for REsilience – the CLARE programme’, where volunteers are empowered to provide first aid, elder care and befriending to the vulnerable.