Singapore 17-year-old goes on walkabouts and meets with residents to address community issues like ‘an MP’

Singapore, November 14 — Jovan, a 17-year-old resident of the Boon Keng neighbourhood, has garnered attention for his efforts to engage residents and advocate for neighbourhood improvements. The grassroots volunteer regularly embarks on neighbourhood walkabouts, speaking with residents to understand their needs and identify issues requiring attention.

His work was recently highlighted in a Mediacorp series, Gen Z Crash Course, alongside YEA 93.3FM radio jockey Gao Mei Gui, who joined him on one of his regular walks to experience his daily activities. While his approach may appear to involve simple conversations, these interactions have resulted in concrete improvements in the neighbourhood.

Jovan makes a deliberate effort to approach residents, particularly seniors, and shares their feedback with the relevant town council, ensuring that their concerns are heard and addressed. His Instagram account, @jovantang_sg, serves as his "public-facing" platform, where he documents his community work, summarizes residents' concerns, announces neighbourhood improvements, and organizes small gatherings for community members to discuss matters affecting their community.

Jovan's dedication to community work has earned both praise and criticism. While many netizens have commended his actions as inspiring and beneficial to the community, he has also faced negative comments, initially finding it challenging to manage such feedback. Nevertheless, Jovan remains committed to his cause, driven by his passion for helping others and his belief in the impact of his work.

Currently pursuing a diploma, Jovan aspires to further deepen his involvement in community work and continue making a significant impact in the neighborhood.