The event honours the passion and commitment of SIF volunteers in effecting positive change in overseas communities; performers from non-profi t community theatre company Tapestry Playback Theatre acted out anecdotal stories shared by SIF volunteers through a combination of movement, dialogue and music.
PHOTOS SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION
O
n Dec 9 last year, about 150 guests joined the Singapore International Foundation (SIF) in celebrating International Volunteer Day at The Arts House in Singapore. International Volunteer Day, which was started by the United Nations in 1985 and is observed annually on Dec 5, recognises the selfless contributions of individual volunteers and volunteer organisations across the world. Here are some highlights from the evening.
“The impact that volunteers create cannot be counted. You bring about a positive change in terms of mindset or dispensing knowledge. You also create a bond which doesnʼt stop when the volunteering ends.”
M Renganathan, retired principal and SIF volunteer
The celebrations gave guests the opportunity to network and get up to date about new initiatives and developments at SIF; a performer from Tapestry Playback Theatre interacting with a guest; the volunteer recruitment booth attracted plenty of interest from guests, with a number of them signing up for SIFʼs upcoming volunteer trips; guests reconnected with old friends and made new ones through the event.
“Volunteerism comes in both big and small ways; whatʼs most important is oneʼs heart.”
Jane Chew, SIF volunteer
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Sayid Hafiz Sayid Zin and Shafiqah Nurul Afiqah Ramani, co-founders of IT solutions company PsychKick, which was one of the six winners of SIFʼs Young Social Entrepreneurs 2016 programme, were among the guests; SIF Executive Director Jean Tan (right) interacting with a guest during an ice-breaker; SIF Governor and the eventʼs guest of honour K Kesavapany (left) presenting a Long Service Award to Pang Nguk Lan, who has volunteered on SIF programmes to enhance childrenʼs health in Asia for over 10 years; Citizen Ambassador and long-time SIF volunteer Seluasundram Nagalingam (in grey shirt) sharing a funny story from his volunteering experience.