Michelle (middle, in white) with her Motivators, who are all decked out in this year’s NDP Motivator Costumes.
With more than seven years of volunteering experience with the TOUCH National Day Parade (NDP) Motivators, Michelle Chow has come a long way since she first started motivating parade goers at NDP in 2006. Now a Lead Mentor to her juniors, she has learned immensely from her NDP experiences.
“I have always enjoyed my time in NDP, meeting new batches of Motivators each year and seeing them through (each rehearsal). This year will be my eighth year with the TOUCH NDP Motivators, and I doubt I’ll be stopping anytime soon!”
“Through my time with the TOUCH Motivators, I’ve acquired leadership skills and also learned the value of commitment, especially with the intensive trainings Motivators go through. However, the most valuable experience that I have in NDP is actually using the Motivators platform to encourage the students from ITE (Institute of Technical Education) to work hard in their studies.”
Michelle, a graduate from ITE, was once shocked and disappointed by her poor academic results. She decided to pick herself up and resolved to work harder for her grades. As a result of her determination and resolve, she is now studying Computer Science at a local university for her Bachelor’s Degree.
“I have a heart for the students in ITE. During the Motivator trainings, I would talk to them and share my story with them. I always remind them that being an ITE student does not mean you cannot achieve what you want to do. Without my first Motivator Mentors such as then-Head Mentor Mr Danny Loke, I would never have achieved so much in life.
“This is why I volunteer with the TOUCH NDP Motivators – to share my story to those who need to listen to it.”
Each year, TOUCH Community Services reaches out to some 500 tertiary students through its youth leadership and mentoring programme. Students undergo a service-learning curriculum, using the NDP Motivators platform, under the tutelage of a mentor. TOUCH has participated in 13 NDPs. It is currently a member of the NDP Executive Committee.