'Lucky' to be born here and keen to give back

SINGAPORE - At 28, Ms Nur Huzaima Mahrom has spent her youth trying to make a difference.

She has done so overseas, travelling to Nicaragua to help build a community centre, and to the Philippines, where she had a hand in running a social enterprise on the outskirts of Manila.

Back in Singapore, the copywriter has played tutor to needy children. Now, she's hoping to join Youth Corps Singapore, a new scheme to groom young volunteers which has drawn more than 250 applicants.

Cited by Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong yesterday as an exemplar of passionate young Singaporeans, he quoted her as saying: "I am lucky, by some accident of fate, to be born in Singapore: healthy, young and strong. But there are many who are struggling. I feel it is my duty to do something in the world."

Ms Huzaima wants to see a better, brighter Singapore 50 years down the road. She feels, said Mr Wong, that everyone has a part to play in this.

He quoted Ms Huzaima as saying: "I would say to my peers - What do you hope for Singapore 50 years down the road? And what will you do about it?

"You have the energy to make things happen. You should get out there and be proactive. The future belongs to you."

This article was first published on May 31, 2014.
Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.