Chapter 2 : Volunteer involvement

I thank the following individuals who would be rendering their time and effort in this volunteer driven project. The team consists of:

Volunteers (individuals helping in their personal capacity)
1. Azeem, student
2. Abdul Hamid, A/g Senior Manager North West Community Development Council (NWCDC)
3. Arfat Selvam,Managing Director, Arfat Selvam Alliance Advocates & Solicitors
4. Chua Han Kiang, self-employed
5. Chua Hong Yin, ideas artist Red Ink Communications
6. Dora Yip, Manager of Corp Comms National Volunteer & Philantrophy Centre (NVPC)
7. Elaine Lim, Societies Executive Ministry of Home Affairs
8. Fazidah, Manager of Admin Ministry of Education (MOE)
9. Hamzah, former Superintendent of MWH, student
10. Heriani Suliana, journalist Singapore Press Holdings
11. Jamaliah, student
12. Juniper Lee, Lecturer Ngee Ann Polytechnic
13.Khairuddin Masuri, Manager NWCDC
14.Koay Peng Yen, self-employed
15.Lynn Tan, Finance Officer Singapore Police Force
16.Martina Ambrose, Executive Officer (Planning & Research) National Youth Council
17.Md Helmy, Head of Youth Engagement Strategic Unit MUIS
18.Mohd Azmi, Head of Projects (Community in Bloom) Nparks
19.Mohd Firoz, Child Protection Officer Ministry of Community Development, Youth & Sports (MCYS)
20.Mohd Jamil, former Superintendent, school counsellor MOE
21.Nizan Haron, teacher MOE
22.Nurulhuda, A/g Senior Manager NWCDC
23.Rajiv, MBA student
24.Rizal, Programme Executive Ain Society
25.Rosna, Manager NWCDC (project co-ordinator)
26.Sainava, Head of Department MOE
27.Shahada, Librarian National Library Board (NLB)
28.Shahrin, Teacher/Therapist, Operation-in-charge St Andrew's Autism Centre
29.Shaifudin, Operations Analyst Citibank
30.Sharon Choo,freelance editor
31.Sopiawati, Purchaser Raffles Hospital
32.Sumarni Sarmin, Section Head Temasek Polytechnic
33.Osman, NSman
34.Yasmeen, psychology student

Staff of MWH
35.Tabrani, Superintendent
36.Nisa, Deputy superintendent
37.Rahim, Assistant Superintendent
38.Ismail, Religious Teacher, Programme Co-ordinator
39.Mardiana, Senior Social Worker
40.Noraini, Caseworker
41.Ruhainah, Caseworker
42.Aishah, Assistant Social Worker
43.Foziah, Senior Welfare Officer
44.Zulkiflee, Manager, Resource Development Unit MA
45.Kamaludeen, Resource Development officer MA

Management Committee of MWH
46.Ustaz Shaik Hussain, President Muhammadiyah Association (MA)
47.Ghazali, General Secretary MA
48.Shaik Mohd Iqbal, Financial Secretary MA, producer/editor Mediacorp

Chapter 1 : A book creation

The initiative of publishing a book, with the intention of helping the children-at-risk kindled in mid Sep 08. Book reading expands knowledge and and it is one of the conventional ways to unfold messages the author is trying to deliver. A fine book can inspire its readers.

I identified Muhammadiyah Welfare Home (MWH) as the beneficiary agency. MWH provides residential care programmes to about 100 vulnerable male children between the ages of 9 and 18. The children are referred to the Home either by the Juvenile Court ot the Ministry of Community Development, Youth & Sports (MCYS). They stay in the Home for 2 to 3years.

Profile of residents:
- children from dysfunctional families and in need of shelter;
- children who are abused or neglected;
- children in need of care and protection;
- destitute and abandoned children;
- children are beyond parental control;
- children who are in conflict with the Law

I conveyed the book project idea to Nisa, Deputy Superintendent of MWH and she readily considered the proposal. Nisa then arranged for us to meet the management committee and key staff of MWH on 23 Sep 08.
Ustaz Shaik Hussain, President of Muhammadiyah Association (MA)
Ghazali, General Secretary of MA
Tabrani, Superintendent of MWH and
Rahim, Assistant Superintendent of MWH
were present and they earnestly supported the initiative. The initial proposal was to publish a commercial book featuring the motivating life stories of Singapore's 50 most outstanding Muslim individuals.

The creation of this book is timely - to commemorate MWH's 20 years since its inception in 1989 and the settling of the Home in a new premise next year.

All proceeds from the sale of the book will be chanelled to aid MWH provide a nurturing environment for the underpriviledged children. The Home is shifting to a new premise in Bedok North in 09. They still require $1/2 million to fund the renovation and restoration work of their new upgraded site. It is hoped that the profit from the book project could help relief part of the financial deficit.