Barely 11 years old, Mumtaza Mustaffa of Bukit Panjang Primary is already
a regular volunteer with the Sinda's Project Read programme.
It started last December, when Mumtaza picked up the Singapore Indian
Developement Association's(Sinda) newsletter by chance and read about the
programme. She persuaded her mother to let her sign up as a volunteer.
Now, she spends an hour each week reading to a schoolmate, nine-year-old
Gayathri. After just six months, Gayathri is now able to read simple story
books on her own.
Sinda's chief executive officer, Mr S. Vivakanandan, 36, said that young
volunteers like Mumtaza are definite assets to its youth programmes.
It is easier for children to relate to other children because they are less
inhibited with one another, he said.
Mumtaza thinks it is not hard to be a volunteer, unlike what most people think.
"Reading to children is quite an easy thing to do if you are committed,"
she said.
Her parents, she said, always remind her:" What kind of person you are to
society is more important than what your grades reflect of you."
Said Mr Vivakanandan:" It is very heartening to see young people
volunteering. Volunteering is infectious. I believe Mumtaza has set a good
example for us to follow."
Volunteers like her are still needed for Sinda's reading programme. If you
are interested, you can call Jagjit on 393-7240.
