After a brainstorming session and inputs from key individuals, most of the volunteers propose to publish a book, featuring life stories of troubled children/youth instead. The issue on juvenile delinquency in our community is real and there is a pressing need for the community to address it. The creation of this book would be the team's effort to help the underpriviledged children. We hope to launch the book by June 09.
Here's an outline of the book project.
Book content:
- 20 life stories of MWH children/youths
- Unsung heroes - significant individuals who have helped these children/youths
- Function of MWH – as catalyst of change
List of things to do:
A. Writing and Publishing
· To speak to local book writers, editors, publishers for collaboration
· To look for ppl who can design and suggest marketable book concept – invent MWH branding
· To engage photographer/s, cartoonist
· To identify ppl to ‘endorse’ book , advisor/s – e.g. President SR Nathan, ministers, etc
· To decide on 20 cases of children to be featured. To get consent from these children and their parents/guardians
· To identify outstanding ppl who have contributed to the Home in one way or the other
· To gather information on MWH and its milestone
· To get input from Juvenile/Family/Syariah Court, MCYS/Singapore Boys’/Girls’ Home, NCSS, NVPC, Prisons, Police, MENDAKI, schools, other social service agencies i.e. Gracehaven, Pertapis Children’s Home, FSC, As-Salamm, etc
· To get input from MWH-MCYS-Juvenile Court Advisory Board members, Board of Visitors and Panel of Advisors
B. Marketing
· To contact media for publicity as and when required
· To promote books to schools, libraries, book stores, government agencies, family service centres, youth centres, community centres/grassroots, mosques, churches, etc. Need to identify ambassadors (can be volunteers/former residents/staff) to do outreach.
· To start online sales, create impressive teens’ blog/site, link-up to MWH website. Web shd include book project initiative & process - to create awareness & encourage active volunteerism
· To explore introducing the book beyond Singapore eg to sheltered/children’s Homes around the world
C. Fund-raising
· To seek corporate sponsorship from Foundations, corporations/firms. Try to convince them to adopt the project.
· To approach MCYS, NCSS, NYC, CDC, MUIS for funding
· To engage tertiary students to do fund-raising projects e.g. produce VCDs on stories from the book, bookmarks, t-shirts, other collaterals for sale
· To organise book launching charity event/dinner, tentatively in Jun 09. To source for event sponsors
D. Resource managing
· To do book-keeping, maintain accurate recording of incoming/outgoing funds
· To safe-keep funds
· To work with internal/external auditor
· To issue tax exemption receipts when needed
· To disburse funds when necessary to key ppl organising events & meetings / handling volunteers’, former residents’ transport & meals allowance
Adoption of Rooms
15 years ago
2 comments:
Sorry I couldnt be there for the mtg...Its a good idea to get publicity for MWH. I'm wondering tho if the life stories of disadvantaged kids may end up w a book that is too negative in its vibes. I wonder too if it may be better to celebrate the potential in these kids instead, find some nuggets of talents in them, so pple can get to know not just what these kids represent, but also what they can be, with help from the bigger muslim community and singapore family at large. It would be cool to have these kids show how they each have a special something in them. These my 2 cents worth.
Yap...their stories should be inspiring to others. The book can come alive when the children themselves act as ambassadors and interact with the larger community via motivational talks at schools, community clubs, as suggested by Azmi. Thx for the thought...we need to identify cases and will go through each in detail to check if they are relevant...
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