Margaret Bella Xavier and Nur Adlynna Istikarah
Margaret Bella Xavier:
Leaving school at the age of 16 years, going to a new phase in life, I took up courses like typewriting and shorthand. My father encouraged me to join the Community Centre as I was a homebound girl. I did not have many friends. I join the Youth Group. I was selected in the Youth Executive Committee. I was in charge of the Children’s Club. I started to organise activities for children like outings, places of interest, dramas, and campfires. I made friends from other constituencies and have exchange programmes with other Youth Groups. I attended Leadership courses.
Being active in Youth Group, I was selected for ship for South East Asia Youth Programme in 1983. It was 2 months on board the Japanese Ship NIPPON MARU. The ship sailed to 8 ASEAN countries including Japan. I was one of the 35 participants representing my country, Singapore. This was my proudest moment in my life and being a Youth Ambassador. It was a great moment, I was interviewed in Japan and appeared on Japan Television.
After my trip to Japan, I was the only female involved in the Residents Committee. I was the youngest female Youth to be involved in the committee. Recollecting my memories, I have served the Residents Committee for the past 39 years. Those days, RC Committee organised many activities like newspaper collection, organising tours to Malaysia and places of interest in Singapore.
My life changed when I was selected to serve as RC Chairman from Mount Faber Zone B. I felt a bit happy and I had to work with my members to make the RC a second home. My committee gave me the support and confidence. Being a Chairman, I am able to work with people who understand the Residents’ needs and we worked as a team and had the ‘Kampong Spirit’. Organised many activities for the able and disabled people. Most of the Residents know each other by activities. In our Zones we had Police on patrol. Working with police, keep our Zones free of crime.
As the years goes by, I met all kinds of people including the Heads of State in Singapore and other countries. I have seen myself making many changes, meeting all kinds of people of various backgrounds, cultures, and religions. Learning how to respect and good leadership. Many changes, new innovations and ideas in Community-related projects. I take this opportunity to thank my family for being supportive in my community, social and grassroots organisations.
Nur Adlynna Istikarah:
Primary School: Gan Eng Seng Primary School
Secondary School: CHIJ St Theresa Convent
After secondary school, I would like to go ITE to study until I finish.
Now I play Takraw because I want to learn more about Takraw and improve. I got to take part in Pesta Sukan competition and I got 4th place.
I hope after I go to ITE, I can find work and give some money to my family. I would like to become a coach and I can teach some people who don’t know how to play.
