Page 2 - NYAA & GAHA Responding to COVID-19

REPORT ON THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF
REPORT ON THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF
NYAA GOLD AWARD HOLDERS
NY AA GOLD A W ARD HOLDERS
DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC (2020 TO 2021)
DURING THE COVID-19 P ANDEMIC (2020 T O 2021)

2020 and 2021 were particularly tough years for It was heartening to see several students go beyond
Singapore and our fellow Singaporeans because programme requirements to spread the word
of the COVID-19 Safety Management Measures and raise awareness of what they witnessed and
(SMM) and restrictions. NYAA’s activities could awakened to the issues. They learnt to use visual
not be organised. All physical activities have been art such as photography and videography for this.
suspended, especially the co-curricular activities As a result – and learning from each other – they
(CCA). The NYAA Council's primary goal was to became even savvier in using digital and social
ensure that this calamity did not lose the momentum media platforms for good.
gained in the preceding years. We were determined
to find creative ways to continue to develop the We in the NYAA Council are challenging ourselves
hearts and minds of the youths. to find ways to deepen the connection with the
programme participants – past and present – to
The solution lay in us converting the pandemic from keep the fire burning. The programme has motivated
crisis to opportunity. The NYAA resolved to find new many of them to become dynamic contributors and
ways to give the youths a hands-on experience in leaders in the community. The NYAA continues to
understanding how a problem of this magnitude work with our network of educational institutions,
can disrupt lives, especially for the less fortunate in community and grassroots organisations, and
society. We wanted this real-life experience to spark government agencies to provide opportunities
and deepen their desire to do something about for the youths to hone what they learned in the
it collectively and as individuals. We leveraged programme and pay it forward.
technology through online applications as the
youths were savvy with it. Over the years, the programme has helped
many youths from humble backgrounds gain the
NYAA developed leadership in three key areas. First, confidence to transcend their limitations to serve
the young people's awareness of the realities on their community with verve and belief. It's heartening
the ground was heightened by what they saw and to see how this has contributed to levelling the
experienced. Second, for many of them, it was the playing field in a quiet yet systematic way – to make
first time they witnessed what people in a wholly it an equal society. It will not be an exaggeration to
different socio-economic class were experiencing say that the NYAA Youth Leadership Development
and how they were coping. Third, the programme Programme has had a transformational impact on
'forced' these young Singaporeans out of their the participants.
comfort bubbles. This experiential learning was
made possible by sharing stories and photographs/ “The Gold Award celebrates your growth,
videos via mobile applications. leadership and perseverance. This is the beginning
of the next stage of your NYAA journey when you
Second, it increased their capacity for empathy and embark on ‘Service Beyond Gold’. You will be in a
understanding. The revelations made them better great position to motivate other youths and mentor
appreciate and be grateful for what they have. For them in their leadership and growth journeys.”
several youths, these experiences altered their lives
and perspectives permanently. They helped improve Mr Heng Swee Keat
the youths' interactions with their family, friends, Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister
teachers and the community. Even as it made them for Economic Policies and Chairman, National
question more, they became less cynical. Youth Achievement Award Advisory Board
Third, the youths became motivated – intrinsically
– to walk the talk and find solutions. The young The NYAA is very grateful to our supporters and
people have done it individually and in groups. partners in our youth leadership development and
They discovered new interests and developed new looking forward to continuing to work in partnership
skills such as first aid and CPR. They also became with them in our quest to build an equal society by
more confident in basic but critical routines such helping inspire generations of youths to become
as categorising, packing and distributing food and influential community leaders driven by a heart to
other necessities for needy families.
serve.

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