National Library Board Volunteers' Appreciation Day at Geylang East Library

kidsREAD took a break this Saturday (28 April 2007) as volunteers were involved in the Appreciation Day organised by the National Library Board at their Geylang East Community Library near Aljunied MRT station.

kidsREAD volunteers that had been involved in the program for more than 1.5 years were given a plaque as well as some Borders book vouchers. A, Ag, K and myself were present at the event representing Jurong Student Service Centre kidsREAD club to receive the awards. The event was held at the auditorium on the 3rd floor of the Geylang East library and I could see that most of the kidsREAD volunteers were students ranging from upper secondary to JC to undergraduates. I met a NUS undergrad who helped out at a kidsREAD club set up in a family service centre and it was refreshing to see so many young people involved in this volunteer activity.

The Chairman of the kidsREAD advisory committee Mrs Koh-Kiang gave a heartfelt message about the kidsREAD programme and she thanked the volunteers for their efforts in the program. The CEO of NLB, Dr. Prasad, spoke on the developments of the program and how the Totalisator Board was going to sponsor the program for the next 5 years from 2007. That is indeed good news as the number of kidsREAD clubs now stand at 52 with over 1,000 volunteers and 3,000 beneficiaries from the program.

Personally, I have seen the positive effects of the program on my class and am glad to see that the Tote Board is putting money into helping children of lower income improve their reading and literacy skills as well as to help inculcate in them a lifelong love for reading. ;-)

It has been 1 year 8 months since I have joined the kidsREAD program and volunteering in the program has helped me grow in terms of presentation skills. I now know how to read to children aged about 6 to 8 as well as to interact with them with less trepidation and fear. I am more confident of my ability to hold the attention of primary 1 to 2 children and also in my vocal variety skills. In addition, I have become more attuned to focussing my attention across several children who speak at the same time and get less stressed dealing with the cacophony of voices clamouring for my attention simultaneously. :-) I have learnt how to recruit new volunteers to the program as well as reaped tangible benefits from faithfully updating this blog as a way to reach out to possible volunteers.

I still have a lot to learn about dealing with children compared to my relatives who have had 30-40 years of teaching experience in primary schools. But the learning I have received is good enough for a non-teacher! ;-)

Would you like to know more about kidsREAD? Drop me a comment and I'll get back to you!