Brief Background of NUSSU Volunteer Action Committee
The National University of Singapore Student’s Union Volunteer Action Committee (NVAC) was founded in 1990 and comprises of university students who are committed to perform community service both in Singapore and other neighboring countries. NVAC won the Singapore Youth Award for community service (team) in 2002, the President’s Social Service Award in 2006 and the Medal of Commendation (Subsequent recognition after 5 years of continuity since receiving Singapore Youth Award) in 2009. We hope that we can still continue to deliver quality community service to our less-privileged neighbours. (For more details on NVAC, please refer to Annex A)
NVAC’s Overseas Humanitarian Services Volunteering Programs
Under NVAC’s adoption, we currently have 4 Annual Overseas Humanitarian Services Volunteering Projects in Myanmar, Cambodia and Philippines:
- Project Sang Khem (Expedition to Cambodia – Held in Dec Annually)
- Big Hands, Bigger Hearts (Expedition to Philippines – Held in Dec/June Annually)
- Project Pyinnaya Tazaung (Expedition to Myanmar – Held in Dec Annually)
- Project Mam Xanh (Expedition to Vietnam – Held in Dec/June Annually)
During these overseas trips, we mainly hold educational camps for the children and youths. Besides educational camps, we will also carry additional construction programs if the need arises, such as the irrigation system in Letpabya, Myanmmar. Many volunteers have pledged that through their volunteering experience at these overseas expedition, they not only feel a sense of fulfilment helping the less fortunate, but they have gained much knowledge and understanding of the social service sector, and to a broader extent, begun to shape a deeper understanding of the needs of people. In short, they realised that such trips are two-way learning processes. Not only do they give in the process, but they also gain a lot in return.
History:
The NUS Students’ Union Volunteer Action Committee (NVAC) is a non-profit student volunteer host organization that was founded in 1990 with the aim of providing an avenue for undergraduates to volunteer their time to help the less fortunate in society. However, with each passing year with ever-fluctuating circumstances, our focus in our activities has shifted from not just serving the community through community services, but instead through the empowerment of youths and the encouragement of community & student initiatives, and in addition, there has been a focus on addressing issues that affects our society, in particular the reintegration of marginalized groups that we have come to know through our volunteering activities.
Overview:
The success of NVAC’s contribution to society is graciously attributed to the 300 committed volunteers attached to the 8 different long-term direct-service volunteering projects under our adoption. Together with our other annual activities such as Volunteerism Awareness Week, Charity Fiesta, and the National Student Action Conference, NVAC strives to expand and promote volunteerism amongst youths, while enriching and making a difference in the lives of our volunteers and beneficiaries.
Recognized for Volunteering Excellence
NVAC’s excellence and outstanding voluntary contributions to society was nationally recognized recently when NVAC became the first student group to be conferred the prestigious President’s Social Service Award in 2006 for its numerous social service contributions; and again, it became the first student/youth group to be conferred the prestigious Singapore International Foundation (SIF) Award in 2006 for its Overseas Humanitarian contributions in Myanmar and Cambodia.
Our Vision –
To Reach Out as a Leading Student Volunteer Host (VHO) Organization
Our Mission –
To promote the active participation of undergraduates and youths towards volunteerism and social services through achieving excellence in volunteer development and volunteer professionalism
Our Objectives
Our activities are carried out with the following objectives:
· To reach out and benefit the less fortunate in our society
· To promote the spirit of volunteerism and social awareness amongst youths
· To empower youths towards volunteer action and active citizenry
· To provide meaningful avenues and opportunities for youths to volunteer
· To advocate relevant social service issues and promote the reintegration of marginalized groups into society
Our Activities
I. Regular Social Service Volunteering Programs
Being a student Volunteer Host Organization (VHO), we support the following beneficiaries/programs through direct volunteerism on a regular weekly basis:
· MINDS Yio Chu Kang & Guillemard (An interactive and activity based program catered towards the development of Intellectual disabled children)
· Boys Town Tutors (A Tutoring and befriending program for disadvantaged youths)
· Institute of Mental Health (An interactive program catered towards the mentally ill Residents)
· National University Hospital (Aimed at providing Hospital/Patient Care)
· Moral Welfare Home (Hospice Care for the elderly destitute with physical and mental disabilities)
· Hope Digital (A tutoring program in IT knowledge at Grace Haven & Muhammadiyah Welfare Home)
· Dew (A youth ex-offender reintegration program at Kaki Bukit Prison School & Jammiyah Halfway house)
· STOMP AIDS – NUS Chapter (A patient care and reintegration program catered towards the AIDS patients from Patient Care Centre at the Communicable Disease Centre)
II. Special Projects & Events
Each Year, we also organize the following Events which take place both within and outside our campus.
· MINDS Camp
· Volunteerism Awareness Week
· Juxtapose – Annual NUS Youth Volunteerism Camp
· Charity Fiesta – Annual Flagship Youth Fundraising Event
· National Student Action Conference
· NUS Volunteerism & Social Services Exposition
III. Overseas Humanitarian Service Expeditions
Currently, we are operating 3 Annual Overseas Humanitarian Services Volunteering Projects in Myanmar, Cambodia and Philippines:
· Big Hands, Bigger Hearts (Expedition to Philippines – Held in May/June Annually)
· Project Sang Khem (Expedition to Cambodia – Held in Dec Annually)
· Project Pyinnaya Tazaung (Expedition to Myanmar – Held in June/July Annually)
Our Past Achievements
· Recipient of the President’s Social Service Award 2006 (Informal Group)
· Recipient of the Singapore International Foundation Award 2006 (Group Category)
· Recipient of the Singapore Youth Award 2002 (Team) – Community and Youth Services
· Best Standing Committee in NUS Students’ Union – 2003, 2004 & 2006
· First Prize in Students Community Service Awards 2002 (18-25 yrs old) by Rotary Club of Singapore
· LIA Volunteer Awards 2000 – Merit (Team)
Membership
· NVAC is an associate member of the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) since 2002
Testimonials
“Such a demonstration of compassion and leadership gives me great confidence in our youth and Singapore’s future generation”
– His Excellency, President S R Nathan, at the Singapore International Foundation Award Ceremony, honouring NVAC being the first student/youth group to receive the prestigious SIF Award on October 31st 2006.
