Young NTUC hosts Appreciation Luncheon for Fairprice Used Textbooks Project Student Volunteers
20 January 2007
PRESS RELEASE
1 In late 2006, more than 150 students from Hwa Chong Institution (HCI), Dunman High School and Montfort Secondary School volunteered three weeks of their year-end school holidays to sort donated books for distribution as part of the FairPrice Used Textbooks Project.
2 The textbooks were distributed over two days in December 2006 and attracted over 9,000 school-going children and their families. Started in 1983, the Used Textbooks Project has since helped more than 100,000 needy students save more than $6 million in textbook expenses over the years. Huang Shuzong, 18, student volunteer from HCI, who participated in the project for the third time said, “I am glad that I can spend my holidays in such a meaningful way and most importantly, do my part to help the needy among us.”
3 In appreciation of the effort and time put in by student volunteers such as Shuzong, the Young NTUC hosted a luncheon for them at D’Tent, Downtown East, on Saturday, 20 January, 2007.
4 Mrs Josephine Teo, Director, NTUC Youth Development Unit and Member of Parliament for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, who was present as the Guest-of-Honor to thank the students personally, said, “The commitment displayed by the students to the project shows that when given the opportunity, many youths are willing to get involved to help the community.”
5 Mr Wee Leong How, Managing Director (Group Corporate Services) for NTUC FairPrice, said, “The success of the FairPrice Used Textbooks Project would not have been possible without the support of all the school volunteers. This project is a good example of a community programme that provides an opportunity for students to do their bit for the less fortunate. We certainly hope that the student volunteers have found it their involvement enriching and meaningful. We look forward to their support again later this year. ”
6 Mr Wee was at the luncheon to present certificates of appreciation to the student volunteers. In addition, over 20 students with commendable contributions to the project received their certificates of commendation from Mrs Teo.
7 During the luncheon, Mrs Teo made an address to the students and spoke on the importance of the role of youths in the labour movement. She also shared plans on Young NTUC’s upcoming forum targeted at youths called Youths for a Competitive & Inclusive Singapore.
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For media queries, please contact:
Alex Yam
Youth Development Unit /
Young NTUC Secretariat
National Trades Union Congress
DID 6213 8253
HP 9781 5660
Fax 6327 3753
Email yamz@ntuc.org.sg
Pamela Pung
Manager (Corporate Communications)
NTUC Fairprice Co-operative Ltd
DID 6424 7868
HP 9662 1655
Fax 6458 6433
Email pamela.pung@fairprice.com.sg
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About the Young NTUC
To ensure continuity and dynamism, the labour movement must have a strong cohort of young members. Young NTUC was launched on 30th April 2005 to attract younger members to the activities of the NTUC. Formerly known as the NTUC Youth Committee, Young NTUC is the official youth wing of the National Trades Union Congress.
With 135,000 members below 35 years old, Young NTUC is one of the the largest youth movements in Singapore. Working with the youth chapters of the 63 NTUC affiliated unions, Young NTUC aims to reach out to the young workforce in Singapore, representing them as a voice and thus helping to advance the cause of the labour movement here.
About the Used Textbooks Project
NTUC FairPrice started the Used Textbooks Project in 1983, as part of its community service initiative. This evergreen project had a humble beginning, starting with a small scale of 33 FairPrice supermarkets collecting a few thousand books. Today, 75 FairPrice supermarkets island-wide serve as collection points for used textbooks donated by the public. These books are then sent to the distribution centers where student volunteers sort them according to academic levels and subjects.
Besides helping needy students, the Used Textbooks Project also helps to promote a greener Singapore through recycling and to encourage the value of thrift. Since 1983, the FairPrice Used Textbooks Project has helped more than 100,000 needy students save more than $6 million in textbook expenses.
About Youths for a Competitive & Inclusive Singapore (YCiS)
In response to President SR Nathan’s speech at the opening of Parliament on 2 November 2006, Young NTUC aim to engage 100 youths in a journey of learning and discovery on Singapore’s socio-economic issues. The journey is based on the new 5Cs derived from President’s speech:
• Competitiveness;
• Cohesion;
• Compassion;
• Compact; and
• Choice
An opening dialogue with new labour chief Secretary-General Lim Swee Say is targeted to take place in about 2 months. Young NTUC is in the process of forming resource panel and will be inviting working adults to join the forum. The aim is for the 100 participants’ profile to mirror that of the under-35 workforce. More information will be available shortly.
