SHINE festival to ignite Singapore's youth social movement
“Whether disabled or not, it’s important to give back to society,” shared 23-year-old Alvina Neo.
Born with spina bifida, a congenital condition that involves the incomplete development of the spinal cord or its coverings, Neo grew up using braces and a crutch to walk. But that has not stopped her from pursuing her dreams of being a hand cyclist.
Neo, who has run marathons and climbed mountains, aspires to be a medical social worker.
She graduated last year with a diploma in Biomedical Science from Temasek Polytechnic and will very soon be taking up a Bachelor in Social Work in SIM University.
Neo is also part of the National University Hospital (NUH) Dreamcatchers programme, a peer support group established for children and youths with chronic illnesses.
The public will soon have a chance to interact with Neo and many other inspiring individuals during the SHINE Youth Festival in July.
Organised by the National Youth Council, the annual festival, now into its eighth year, returns bigger and dreamier as it celebrates this year’s theme “Aspirations”.
Said festival chairman Martin Tan, “Two years ago, we started with ‘Enough Talk Just Do’. Let’s take it one step further this year. Let’s dream a little bigger. What are some of the aspirations you have that will benefit the people around you?”
At a media conference held at *SCAPE and attended by youths and bloggers on Wednesday morning, Tan, 35, also unveiled his big plans to ignite Singapore’s youth social movement through two new initiatives.
One of the initiatives Pitch to Shine has disbursed almost S$180,000 to 16 “deserving, dynamic” youth projects that would benefit society.
Another is Pledge to Shine, an online portal where youths can pen their aspirations for the community.
The SHINE Youth Festival hopes to reach out to about 250,000 youths.
From 30 June to 29 July, the public can expect to be entertained by a mix of festivities from cosplay displays, concerts, dance competitions to flea markets and magic shows.
The Dreamcatchers will also showcase on 27 July an art exhibition featuring artworks, made using medical items and equipment, created by the young patients.
Neo, who currently works as a management assistant at NUH's Paediatrics Department, said she hopes the festival will inspire Singapore's youth to give back to society.
“I volunteer to assist physically disabled children and autistic children to swim. So I don’t see why the youths these days cannot do this when I can,” said Neo, who has been receiving treatment for her condition since Primary Four.
“I think anybody can do it, so long as they just step out and try,” she added.
