YOG @ Raffles Place
Be a part in spreading the YOG spirit at Raffles Place in June!
There will be a weekday lunch time activity in engaging young working adults in Lau Pa Sat, Raffles SMRT Xchange or Raffles Place Square during the week of 21 - 25 June.
If you are keen to be a part of this action, email evelyn@nyaagaha.org by 15 Jun.
Add comment June 8th, 2010
The Singapore 2010 YOG is less than half a year away! Together with the tenets for friendship, excellence and respect at the inaugural games, we have done a sampling of comments, wishes and hopes for youth to make the YOG one which is not only groundbreaking, but sustainable, green and something all can be proud of. Below are excerpts of suggestions collected from youths at the 2010 National Youth Environment Conference on 27 Mar 2010:
I’d like a green YOG by…
‘…using more renewable energy for the lighting, etc.’ - Alvita Lindy, Pasir Ris Secondary School
‘…recycling more things’ - Pan Fei, Pasir Ris Secondary School
‘…having a clean environment’ - Glenn Ang, Pasir Ris Secondary School
‘…putting more dustbins for convenience’ - Low Jin An, Pasir Ris Secondary School
‘…advocating green habits to YOG participants and audience’ - Jim Tan, Raffles Institution
‘…Reducing, Reusing and Recycling!’ - Koh Seok Pheng, Ngee Ann Secondary School
‘…using porcelain plates and cups that can be washed instead of styrofoam cups and plastic plates’ - Cheryl Tan, Ngee Ann Polytechnic
‘…being nice to everyone’ - Li Xingyu, Maris Stella High Shool
‘…not wasting’ - Dillon Wee, Maris Stella High Shool
‘…saving our earth!!’ - Joan, Nanyang Polytechnic
‘…not using disposable materials (e.g. cups)’ - Erica, Victoria Junior College
‘…having the YOG participants and spectators recycle all their used plastic cups’ - Yong Yun Hua, Republic Polytechnic
‘…ensuring everyone is aware of what they can do to have a green sustainable lifestyle’ - Lim Jing Kai, Republic Polytechnic
‘…helping the environment by reducing paper and plastic bottles in school canteen’ - Peh Xin Ni, Cindy, Republic Polytechnic
‘…not littering in Singapore’ - Lim Woon Ching, Nanyang Polytechnic
‘…having solar panels during the YOG’ - Marcus Tay, Singpore Organisatiion
‘…using green products ‘ - Chua Yoke Kwan, National Junior College
‘…recycling all the plastic bottles used by the athletes’ - Jason, GAHA
‘…separating the recyclable materials from the garbage.’ - Nurmulianee Binte Jumari, ITE College West (Clementi Campus)
‘…using less packaging for giveaway items such as the plastic bags that the sponsored shirts come in.’ - Ratih Pratiwi, ITE CFollege West Clementi
‘…saving water’ - Elffing, YMCA
‘…saving electricity’ - Chuchu Ji, YMCA
‘…not littering.’ - Shanthiya, ITE College East
‘…being the first games to propagate green values while being the educator, advocator and enabler for environmental conservation.’ - Mark Cheng, Avelife Foundation
‘…not changing soccer balls every game, just reusing them! In addition, athletes can just wash their shirts instead of changing into new ones. The organisers could also ensure everyone attending the YOG brings their own water bottle instead of giving free plastic water bottles.’ - Adeline, Ngee Ann Polytechnic
‘…placing more rubbish bins around the area so that the audience is able to throw their rubbish. Giving them cloth bags to use rather than issuing plastic bags each time’ - Aaron, ITE (Bishan)
‘…not consuming too much food, causing more waste. ‘ - Shu Huey, Singapore Polytechnic
‘…having more trees around Singapore, and use of less plastic bags and paper cups.’ - Tay Pei Fen, ITE College East
‘…making the YOG logo out of recycled materials’ - Huong Gao, Republic Polytechnic
‘…using recycled materials for publicity and communication. And make the lights dimmer to save electricity.’ - Teo Hui Min, Temasek Polytechnic
‘…more solar panels (especially for sunny days) to light up the street lights -this would help conserve electricity.’ - Cherie, Nanyang Polytechnic
‘…using Recycled water bottles.’ - Joni Tan, Hong Kah Secondary School
‘…having athletes/participants use their own bottles instead of buying bottles for them/using disposables. Planting more plants along the street. Switching off handphones to save electricity. ‘ - Gan Shun Xian, St. Andrew’s Secondary School
‘…putting recycling bins at the venue to re-use resouces like paper’ - Shawn Chen,
‘…reusing towels to dry sweat after the athletes exercise’ - Wong Rui Jian, Tanglin Secondary School
‘…having more campaigns to educate people’ - Carlston Yong, Nanyang Polythenic
‘…recyling used sports equipment (eg. shuttlecocks), instead ot throwing them away’ - Tey Yi Kai, ACS (Independent)
‘…using energy efficient appliances (e.g. air conditioners, lights, etc.)’ - Sandra Cheok, St Margaret’s Secondary School
‘…trying to reduce the amount/intensity of lighting for tournaments that occur in the day’ - Jolene, St Anthony’s Canossian Secondary School
‘…educating the athletes, letting them know the seriousness of Climate Change’ - Joel Lee,
‘…recycling unused material’ - Shaoze, Unity Secondary School
‘…reusing Sports equipment’ - Sarah Noble, St. Anthony’s Canossian Secondary School
‘…installing dual flushes in the toilets (allowing for “half flushes” to save water)’ - Lee Tzu Chieh, Pasir Ris secondary school
‘…using recycled material to provide drinks and food for the participants’ - Audri Gideon Hasibuan, Anglo Chinese School (Independent)
‘…using energy-saving lights in the stadiums’ - Benjamin Tay, ACS (Independent)
‘…reusing the sports equipment’ - Teo Bei Fang, Hua Yi Secondary School
‘…using your own bottle instead buying it ‘ - Goh Shi Ling, Hua Yi Secondary School
‘…getting people to bring their own bottles because bottle are made up of plastic which is hard to get rid of.’ - Andy Tan, St Patrick’s School
‘…cutting down on unnecessary freebies that are mass-produced but people will just throw away.’ - Chiong Si Hui Joyce, Hwa Chong Institution
‘…placing more recycling bins around the competition area’ - Tan Teck Woon , Mayflower Secondary School
Add comment April 18th, 2010
The semi-final of Sing! Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games Song Competition was held at the Community Life Arts Programme (CLAP!) at Far East Plaza on 5th February 2010. Jointly organised by NYAA Gold Award Holders’ Alumni (GAHA), National Youth Council (NYC) and the Central Singapore Community Development Council (CS CDC) and supported by the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (SYOGOC), this competition celebrates creativity, self-expression and lets participants unleash their talents.30 Semi-finalists were shortlisted to perform their pieces, in no longer than 3 minutes each, that evening. The judging panel included both Celebrity and Youth Judges. They were Mr. Ken Lim (Chief Judge, Singapore Idol), Mr. Taufik Batisah (Singapore Idol, 2004), Mr. Hong Jun Yang (Project Superstar Runner Up 2005), Mr. Yu Dan Quan (Music lecturer at RI/RJC) and Mr. Phua Chao Rong, Charles (Youth Organiser for Sing! Singapore 2010).
From song writing to stage performance, we witnessed the outpour of talents and passion for music from a multitude of races, ages and nationalities. These ranged from young singers from a local primary school to teams from Indonesia and Philippines. It was an engaging night of performances in celebration of the Singapore Youth Olympic Games 2010. The audience supported their favourite songs by clapping and cheering loudly to influence the decibel counter - an electronic device which records the intensity of sound. After all, on-site voting contributed to 25% of the final scores.
The Top Ten Finalists (in no order of merit):Nashrrum Bin Muhammad - One Heart One BeatChocolatier - The Best of Me
Najib Siddik - Dare to Dream
Martin Mendoza - One Heart One Body One Soul
BigBang! - This is the Day
Adi Musa & Joyce Alberto - One World
Two4One - Bring it on!!!
Milieu Therapy - Brand New Day
Beldin Kee - Friendship For All
The Rules - Uniquely Singaporean
Congratulations to all the 10 Finalists!
The final round of Sing! Singapore 2010 commences on 5th March 2010.
Contributed by:
Jeanette Yee
Add comment March 2nd, 2010
The NYAA GAHA - Singapore Boys Home Mentoring Project II started in July 2009. The selected NYAA GAHA members served as mentors to the boys from Singapore Boys Home. The goal is to assist the boys to achieve the NYAA Bronze Award and to re-integrate them back into the society through the NYAA Programme.The boys selected the following activities they would like to engage in to be able to fulfill their NYAA Bronze Award mainly: Community Service - Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA); Skills Development - Baking; Physical Recreation - Archery.
For the Expedition Section, the outdoor camp was held from16 to17 January 2010 at MOE Dairy Farm. The activities at the camp included hiking, tent pitching, outdoor cooking, campfire and high element rope courses. Each day ended with a daily debrief led by the mentors. During debrief, the boys reflected on the activities they had undergone and the values they had learnt. It was heartening to see the boys taking the initiative to lead the team in activities, while the mentors acted as facilitators to assist them in taking up the leadership role. The bond between the mentors and the boys was strengthened as a result of the time spent together.
The Expedition was coordinated by our mentors, Yap Jia Wei and Melissa Ho, Camp Commandants for the Camp. Jia Wei was extremely happy and proud of the boys who displayed their courage, discipline and enthusiasm throughout the camp.
Melissa Ho, a certified MOE Adventure Outdoor Specialist, was impressed with the boys for overcoming the fear to complete the challenge of the high element rope course.
To sum up the mentoring project, the boys had these to say:
“I feel very satisfied and appreciate all the hard work that the mentors did for us.”
“I was given the opportunity to lead the team and with the guidance from our mentors, I was able to perform my tasks.”
”The camp was fantastic. I really enjoyed myself. I liked the campfire most.”
“I felt very happy as the camp was very fun.”
“The most exciting part of the camp was the hiking. Overall, it was a fun learning experience.”
Contributed by:
Wong Chong Wai Kenneth
Add comment March 2nd, 2010
Dear GAHA members,The NYAA GAHA, National Youth Council and Central Singapore CDC are working together in partnership with Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (SYOGOC) to organise “Sing! Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games”, a song competition in celebration of Singapore Youth Olympic Games.This song project that celebrates creativity, self-expression and lets you unleash your talents. It is open to everyone (regardless of race, age or nationality), individuals and/or teams. Songs can be written in English, Chinese, Malay, Indian and/or any other languages (translation of lyrics will be required for non-English songs to facilitate judging). Lyrics should celebrate Olympism and the Olympic values of Excellence, Friendship and Respect.The prelim judging has ended and the top 30 songs have been shortlisted.The semi-finals will be held at Far East Plaza, on 5 Feb (Fri), 1900h-2130h. Please come down and support your favourite song. Online voting (on www.singsingapore2010.nyc.sg) and on-site voting will play a part in determining the final score of the songs.The judging panel include Ken Lim (Chief Judge, Singapore Idol), Taufik Batisah (Singapore Idol) and Hong Junyang (Project Superstar) and others.Please feel free to publicise to your friends (outside of GAHA).In addition, GAHA members who are interested to help out in the organising of the competition (5 Feb & 5 Mar 2010), pls contact Gary Shen (gary[ at ]nyaagaha.org). Last call. We are not in urgent need for volunteers; but the more the merrier to celebrate S2010 together!ThanksCharles PhuaAg Deputy Chairman, GAHAYouth Organiser, Sing! S2010
Add comment February 3rd, 2010