CDAC Annual Report 2022 (English)

VISION

Committed and Trusted Organisation Empowered and Caring Community

CORE VALUES

Harmony Empathy Aspiration Resilience Trust

MISSION

To nurture and develop the potential of the Chinese community in contributing to the continued success of multi-racial Singapore

ABOUT CDAC

Jointly set up by the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) and the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations (SFCCA) in 1992, the Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC) is a non-profit self-help group for the Chinese community. We offer programmes and assistance schemes to help the less-privileged in the community maximise their potential and strive for social mobility through self-help and mutual support.

Serving Together, Growing as One

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

The Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC) celebrated our 30th Anniversary in 2022. It is an important juncture of our history to reflect on our mission and purpose. And there are two key points here.

First, our objective is to maintain and enhance social mobility in the Chinese community. In an open and meritocratic society like Singapore, our young can go far if they leverage their talent and work hard. CDAC will continue to do its best to maximise opportunities for our young, regardless of backgrounds.

Second, we are a self-help group, which differentiates us from all other social service organisations. Most of our resources are an accumulation of monthly donations by members of the Chinese community. Even as the Government implements many social programmes with much higher budgets that are race neutral, there is still a role for community self-help. It is part of our identity consciousness that make us a multi-racial nation.

In 2022, CDAC reached out to 16,600 households. We engaged 220 community partners in 240 collaborative projects. In addition, over 11,600 bursaries were given out to our beneficiaries, along with more than 12,400 tuition places across our CDAC Centres and Partner Schools. Our overall expenditure running these programmes was $31.63 million.

At the same time, CDAC supported 1,800 households through case management. These are mainly households that have school-going children, are in greater need for assistance, and for which our officers and partners have customised our support measures, emphasizing particularly on the education of the children. This is the best way to bring about social mobility.

In this regard, we embarked on three educational initiatives during the year. The first is Play-based Learning, which will help develop the children’s executive functions and nurture their love for languages. The 10-week pilot was done with 11 children whose families were supported under casework management. For 2023, the aim is to enrol 100 K1-2 children through a 9-month Play-based Learning programme at the CDAC Headquarters, CDAC@ Redhill and other centres.

The second initiative is a long-term mentoring programme, focused on developing socio-emotional competencies, to support children from low-income families across the key transition stages from primary school all the way to their postsecondary years. We have established partnerships with three Primary Schools and have developed a specific CDAC mentorship approach.

Finally, we are broadening learning for our beneficiaries. Close to 500 CDAC students are using AI platforms called Scribo for English and Cerebry for Secondary Mathematics. We are providing counselling and family engagement support for 60 children and youth. We have developed a series of life-skills programmes such as writing a resume, interview skills and grooming.

Chairman’s Statement

2022 is also a significant year in making CDAC a more digitalised organisation. We launched the "myCDAC" portal, through which all tuition and bursary applications are now processed.

As a self-help social services organisation, our people and partners are most important to us. On behalf of the Board of CDAC, I want to thank all our staff and volunteers for your hard work and commitment, and all stakeholders, including clan associations, schools, community organisations, businesses, for your significant contributions. With all your help, I believe that the CDAC will be able to help more low-income Chinese families secure a brighter future

Ong Ye Kung Chairman Board of Directors

Home is Where the Heart Is

To Dr Chua Thian Poh, these lyrics from Kit Chan's "Home" mirror his sentiments about the home he found in CDAC. Dr Chua joined the CDAC Board of Directors in 1996 and, after 26 years of tireless service, stepped down as the Chairman of CDAC's Board of Trustees in June 2022.

CDAC was jointly set up by the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) and the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations (SFCCA) in 1992, and Dr Chua had been the Chairman or President of these three Chinese organisations at different points in time. His longest service period was with CDAC; thus, he feels the most profound connection to the organisation.

To CDAC staff, volunteers, and perhaps even beneficiaries, Dr Chua Thian Poh's friendly smile and fatherly figure had always been a familiar sight at the CDAC office and during CDAC activities. To Dr Chua, the deep ties he feels towards CDAC and its people are more than words can describe.

"When there are troubles to go through We'll find a way to start anew There is comfort in the knowledge That home's about its people too."

Dr Chua Thian Poh Retired Chairman of Board of Trustees

"Over the years, I have constantly been touched by CDAC's secretariat and volunteers, whose passion for contributing to society often exceeds what is required of them. Their service to those in need is motivating and inspiring," says Dr Chua.

Dr Chua has learnt the value of reciprocity and charity since he was a child and finds it deeply meaningful to draw on his experience to improve the lives of those in need.

"My mother used to tell my siblings and me that we need to contribute back to the society we benefitted from. Because of her teachings, I have always been acutely aware that there are people living in need and in poverty. This is why I will never tire of charity work and will always do my part for society. This is my way of continuing my mother's philanthropic spirit and beliefs."

While Dr Chua pays tribute to his mother by living out her legacy, he has left behind legacies of his own over the past 26 years.

Driven by his firm belief in doing good for society, Dr Chua has worked tirelessly to ensure that CDAC has ample financial resources to fund its activities and programmes for the beneficiaries. Most notably, CDAC raised its highest-ever amount of funding—an impressive 17.8 million dollars—during its fundraising gala dinner in October 2014, under Dr Chua's helm as the Chairman of CDAC's Board of Trustees.

When asked about the most rewarding thing he has achieved over the 26 years with CDAC, Dr Chua said, "Being able to work with like-minded directors, Board of Trustees, committee members and secretariat staff to elevate CDAC's efforts, and knowing that CDAC's initiatives have helped countless families and underprivileged groups in the society."

With the rising costs of living being a hard fact of life, Dr Chua recognises that many Singaporeans will face mounting challenges in the wake of these realities. Financial burdens, such as rising education fees for school-going children, will be especially tough on lower-income families. Therefore, CDAC will also face tougher times in its quest to provide more effective support for these less privileged families and extend help to those needy families who cannot get grants and funding.

"My wish is for CDAC to continue to grow and improve, staying steadfast to its mission of nurturing and developing the potential of the Chinese Community. I also hope that the CDAC can contribute to the continued success of multi-racial Singapore through empathetic listening and active assistance to the less privileged and lower-income families."

Dr Chua may be retiring from his station in the CDAC, but he will always remain part of the CDAC family, in sentiment and contributions.

Breaking Barriers Through Unity

Facing the path ahead as the newly-appointed Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT), Mr Roland Ng San Tiong holds firmly to the belief: United, we can move mountains.

Mr Ng has served in Grassroots Organisations for almost 30 years and had deep connections with CDAC well before his appointment as CDAC BOT Chairman. When he was President of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) from 2019 to 2022, Mr Ng was already a CDAC Board of Trustees member and heavily involved with CDAC’s development.

Driven by his dedication to the Chinese community and its welfare, Mr Ng graciously accepted his appointment as the CDAC Board of Trustees Chairman to continue driving CDAC’s development alongside Minister for Health cum CDAC Board of Directors Chairman Ong Ye Kung.

Singapore’s four major Self-Help Groups (SHGs)—the Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC), Yayasan MENDAKI (MENDAKI), Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA), and Eurasian Association (EA)—carry great social responsibility in supporting their respective communities.

To Mr Ng, all four SHGs are extraordinary in their undertakings to improve the lives of Singaporeans. In particular, even though the CDAC was set up with the Chinese community’s welfare in mind, the CDAC’s initiatives and programmes have since transcended racial divides, bridging the gap between social classes through highly collaborative efforts reflective of Singapore’s unique “kampung spirit”.

Since CDAC was formed, it has been in the capable hands of well-respected businessmen and leaders in the Chinese community. On CDAC BOT’s first-term Chairman, Dr Wee Cho Yaw, and subsequent Chairman, Dr Chua Thian Poh, Mr Ng says, “Over the past 30 years, the two Chairmen have worked closely with members of the Board of Trustees and Board of Directors to lead CDAC’s staff, volunteers, and partners in establishing a solid foundation for CDAC to improve the welfare of Singapore’s Chinese community and our fellow ethnic communities.”

“My predecessors were exemplary in their contributions and have paved the way for me and the current Board of Trustees members to continue doing good on the foundation of their values and work ethics,” says Mr Ng.

Mr Ng now leads the Board of Trustees in close collaboration with the Board of Directors to ensure that all donations made to CDAC are put to good use and that the CDAC maintains sufficient funds to provide more adequate assistance to those in need.

“This is an utmost honour and an even greater responsibility!” Mr Ng says.

Under Mr Ng’s leadership, the CDAC will continue its mission to improve the financial and living conditions of families in need and continue to develop the potential of the younger generation through education programmes to help boost their social mobility.

Since the CDAC Board of Directors includes several ministers and Members of Parliament who regularly attend to the grievances and needs of the public, Mr Ng hopes that CDAC can identify cases from this pool of concerns to provide more timely and targeted help to those in need.

Borrowing the teachings from Chinese philosopher Xunzi, Mr Ng says, “There is no way to reach a thousand miles without accumulating every step; there is no way to form rivers and seas without the convergence of small streams.”

To Mr Ng, this quote captures the essence of CDAC and its people, who come together for the greater good and also encapsulates his determination to lead CDAC to greater heights as Chairman of the CDAC Board of Trustees.

“We are still facing the many societal problems brought about by the COVID pandemic and the ongoing Ukraine war. Hikes in energy and food prices have exacerbated the burdens on lower-income families and underprivileged groups, who now need us more than ever,” says Mr Ng, on the increasingly critical role that CDAC has in the community.

Mr Roland Ng San Tiong

Newly-appointed Chairman of Board of Trustees

30 Years of Communal Giving

For 30 years, CDAC has been an incubator that provides nurturing conditions to support the dreams of many beneficiaries.

In 2022, CDAC held a series of activities to celebrate its 30th anniversary. The theme for the celebration was "A Wish Come True," which aimed to encourage and support the dreams of our beneficiaries through community support in the true spirit of CDAC's slogan: "A little from all, together it's more."

This is a summary of the initiatives and accomplishments in 2022:

■ Completion of CDAC Headquarters renovation

■ “A Wish Come True Project”

■ “A Little From All” Virtual Run

■ CDAC 30th Anniversary Commemorative Book

■ CDAC 30th Anniversary Celebrations and Headquarters Open House

Mr Pok Cheng Chong

Meaningful celebrations to mark 30 great years

Mr Pok Cheng Chong, former Executive Director of CDAC, led the planning for the organisation's 30th-anniversary celebrations, which began in mid-2021. Due to the uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the committee opted for a prudent, simple, yet meaningful approach to celebrate the CDAC's 30th year.

Among the activities, Mr Pok was most involved in the "A Little for All" Virtual Run event, where he walked 30km with over ten CDAC colleagues, starting from the CDAC Headquarters and passing landmarks significant to CDAC's history, such as the former People Association HQ, Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry Building, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY), CDAC@ Redhill, OnePeople.sg, to name a few.

During the trek, veteran staff shared valuable stories of CDAC with their younger counterparts. “We spent more than eight hours to finish 30km, and even though our bodies were weary, our hearts were full from learning about what CDAC has achieved in the past 30 years,” recalls Mr Pok.

Ms Lim Sau Hoong Moved by the spirit of solidarity

Ms Lim Sau Hoong, head of CDAC’s Stakeholders Communications committee, created the organisation's slogan, "A Little From All, Together It's More", in 2012 for its 20th-anniversary festivities. The slogan embodies CDAC's spirit of collective effort.

“There is strength in numbers, so when we stand in solidarity to contribute to a cause, our consolidated efforts can move mountains,” Ms Lim says.

Ten years on, Ms Lim continues to contribute to CDAC's efforts as it celebrates its 30th year. She played a crucial role in the review, validation and freshening of the CDAC brand and organised a series of celebratory events. She sourced sponsors for the “A Wish Come True Project”, roping in various parties to help the underprivileged fulfil their wishes, and also gathered personal contacts to join the “A Little From All” Virtual Run.

A creative consultant by profession, Ms Lim also provided visual and design consultation services for the “A Little From All, Together It’s More”: CDAC 30th Anniversary Commemorative Book and video screened during CDAC’s headquarters Open House event.

“So many former CDAC employees returned to help with the 30th-anniversary preparation and planning, working tirelessly to contribute to the CDAC's milestone year activities. This display of solidarity to support CDAC and its beneficiaries is truly moving,” says Ms Lim.

Completion of CDAC Headquarters renovation Enhanced facilities, double the capacity

In September 2022, CDAC completed the 18-month renovation of its headquarters, the first since it moved to the HQ building in 1994. The newly-renovated building has twice as much space to conduct courses and activities concurrently and can better meet the diverse learning needs of children across age groups. The revitalised headquarters also has more green spaces and seating areas for parents and children to enjoy.

“A Little From All” Virtual Run Over $20,000 raised

The “A Little From All” Virtual Run held between 22 May and 26 June 2022 was a resounding success. Participants covered 174,130 kilometres by walking or running from anywhere and anytime over five weeks. This surpassed the event goal of 100,000 kilometres and raised over $20,000 for underprivileged families. The activity also served as an encouragement for our beneficiaries to embrace physical activity.

“A Little From All, Together It’s More” CDAC 30th Anniversary Commemorative Book

For 30 years, CDAC has believed in the power of collective effort from the Chinese community to improve the lives of the underprivileged. Our slogan, “A little from all, together it’s more”, drives our mission to fulfil the wishes and dreams of those in need.

In 2022, to mark our 30th anniversary, we launched the "A Wish Come True Project" to lend a hand to those who needed help fulfilling their dreams. The commemorative book features heartwarming stories about our beneficiaries and their fulfilled wishes, along with stories on the contributions of our volunteers.

“A Wish Come True Project” Fulfilling wishes for 100 families

CDAC's "A Wish Come True Project" kicked off in March 2022 to fulfil beneficiaries' wishes with the community's assistance.

Within a month, we received over 900 wish entries, including some that may seem easy to fulfil but were, in fact, not quite attainable for the wish-makers. Between July and August 2022, CDAC volunteers helped 100 families fulfil their wishes, reminding other beneficiaries that they, like any other person in our community, should always dare to dream.

CDAC 30th Anniversary Celebrations and Headquarters Open House

On 18 September 2022, CDAC welcomed members of the public to the CDAC 30th Anniversary Celebrations and Headquarters Open House at its Tanjong Katong headquarters. CDAC Patron Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong attended the event as the Guest-of-Honour and toured the renovated building and facilities alongside CDAC BOD Chairman Minister Ong Ye Kung, BOD Directors, and BOT members.

The event drew 650 members of the public, who enjoyed various fun activities and performances.

2018-2022 Financial Report Highlights Income Highlights

Total Households Benefitted

2018-2022 Financial Report Highlights Expenses Highlights

Initiatives

Chapter

The CDAC is embarking on a new milestone as it moves into its 31st year. In line with our “Planting Grass, Growing Trees” strategy, we rolled out five new programmes under three initiatives. We also launched the myCDAC e-platform in 2022, taking a definitive step towards digitalisation. With the push for new mindsets and renewed attitudes towards serving with love, we strive to provide more relevant and holistic services for our beneficiaries.

Sustained and Holistic

The CDAC is boosting its efforts in education and strengthening family ties to ensure better support towards improving the social mobility of the local Chinese community. These endeavours are an integral part of our “Planting Grass, Growing Trees” strategy.

In May 2022, CDAC held a brainstorming retreat attended by members from the Board of Directors (BOD) and Board of Trustees (BOT) to review CDAC’s programmes in a bid to improve services

CDAC plans to fulfil its "Planting Grass, Growing Trees" strategy through initiatives in three areas:

Educational Support

and better utilise our financial and community resources. During the retreat, BOD Chairman Minister Ong Ye Kung and 25 Board Members held robust discussions and proposed initiatives in three areas to fulfil its “Planting Grass, Growing Trees” strategy.

In 2023, CDAC set aside $38.04 million to support various courses and programmes for low-income families. This budget is approximately 4.5% higher than in 2022.

Laying strong foundations through Play-based Learning for children from low-income families

CDAC adopts “Play-based Learning” method for K1 and K2 preschoolers from underprivileged families to establish stronger foundations in learning. According to studies, children who learn through play display more confidence and creativity and have better communication skills. It is also critical for parents to be involved in their children’s education, so our initiative aims to provide parents with information on nutrition and health.

Strengthening transitions from Primary 1 to Post-Secondary levels through an integrated approach to support children from low-income families

CDAC will provide long-term assistance for children from low-income families to progress from preschool to primary school under stable and conducive circumstances. Such support is also sustained through their secondary and subsequent school-going years, and CDAC strives to provide students with reliable mentors they can trust.

Broadening learning to enhance and extend the experience of children from low-income families

CDAC will continue to explore ways to provide students with better learning experiences, such as tapping on EdTech tools to provide customised feedback on the students' learning.

NEW PROGRAMMES

Five New Programmes

In line with the “Planting Grass, Growing Trees” strategy, we are rolling out five new programmes in 2023:

Preschoolers Play-based Learning Programme

In 2023, we will be conducting Play-based Learning Programme for children aged 5 and 6 years old at CDAC Headquarters, CDAC@ Redhill and other centres. Participants will be able to work on their communication skills and inventiveness while improving their executive functions through games.

Play-based Approach to Learning Programme

This initiative encourages interest in learning and develops students' literacy and numeracy skills through games and creative activities.

Integrated Education Development

This programme helps primary school students progress smoothly into various learning stages, guiding them to build confidence, interests, and social skills. Parents and community organisations are also involved in this longterm initiative to provide the participants with integrated support all the way through their post-Secondary years.

Deepened Learning Support for Children and Youth

This initiative adopts a two-pronged approach to help at least 60 primary and secondary school children and youth with learning needs from challenging family backgrounds, providing them with learning support as well as intervention to build rapport and support our beneficiaries.

Deepened Learning Support through EdTech

Students receive personalised feedback on their progress through the following EdTech tools:

• Scribo Campus for P6 students (English),

• Scribo for Sec 2 Express, Sec 2 Normal Academic and Sec 3 Normal Academic students (English)

• Cerebry for Sec 2 Express and Sec 3 Normal Academic students (Mathematics)

3 4 5

NEW SYSTEMS

Improving Efficiency and Service Standards with myCDAC

After eight months of planning and development, the CDAC officially launched the integrated e-platform, myCDAC, in November 2022. The new platform allows applicants to enrol in tuition classes and apply for bursaries conveniently at any time and place. There are plans to further integrate the application and enrolments of other CDAC programmes in 2023 and beyond.

The launch of myCDAC is a defining milestone for CDAC as it moves towards digitalisation to provide greater ease and efficiency for applicants and staff in a safe and secure manner.

Applicants can log in to myCDAC using Singpass and allow the e-platform to obtain personal information from Singapore’s national digital personal data platform MyInfo. With the user’s consent, relevant fields in course enrolment or bursary application forms will be automatically filled in. Applicants need only provide their family members’ details and select the course or bursary they are applying for to complete the application process.

What users say about myCDAC

■ The system is very convenient as I no longer need to fill in many forms. It’s environmentally friendly too. Being able to pay with PayNow also makes it convenient and safe.

Le Thi Quyen Win, Parent

■ With this system, I can apply for CDAC programmes in the comfort of my home instead of having to make a special trip to the CDAC Centre. This saves me a lot of time. Lynn Ong, Parent

More secure administrative processes

>85% of applications in 2023 Q1 processed via myCDAC

Using data to improve service standards

Following the launch of myCDAC, the CDAC headquarters and 12 centres have moved towards paperless and cashless transactions. Beneficiaries can pay for courses through PayNow or NETS, and bursaries are disbursed through PayNow directly into their bank accounts. Tutors can also submit attendance sheets and honorarium claims through myCDAC.

The team behind myCDAC developed the e-platform using SalesForce, a proven and secure interface widely adopted across industries, making it safe and easy to use. Apart from benefitting beneficiaries, the CDAC administrative and finance staff are also excited about the hassle-free and efficient workflow with the e-platform in place. Human error is minimised, and staff can devote more time to improving service standards through big data analysis of user information.

During the initial launch period of the e-platform, the planning and development team provided tutorial videos, illustrations, and hotline support to help users get familiar with myCDAC. Manpower was also deployed to the CDAC Centres to assist users with using the e-platform.

Going green and saving costs through digitalisation

By doing away with hardcopy forms and streamlining processes through the introduction of an e-platform, CDAC has saved approximately $55,000 to date.

As of the first quarter of 2023, over 85% of applications have been completed through the myCDAC platform. The remaining 15% are cases with higher complexity and require our staff to manage through intervention and appeals.

~$55,000 in cost savings after digitalisation of processes

We will continue to enhance the platform’s features and extend myCDAC’s service scope to parent education, senior programmes, and volunteer management.

■ I used myCDAC to enrol my child in tuition classes and received the approval notification immediately. The platform is helpful and efficient.

Elaine Chai, Parent

Since the launch of the e-platform, it’s been faster and more convenient for parents to sign their children up for courses. Information is also readily available to us with a few clicks.

Tan Hee Seng, CDAC Centre counter staff

I use the system to take attendance and submit the attendance sheets. I can also submit my honorarium claims through the e-platform without having to fill, print or sign any forms. It’s great that we have gone green while becoming more efficient.

Lim Kim Twee, CDAC Tutor

Make payments using PayNow or NETS

Better-designed Services with People

in Mind

What does it take to apply empathy in a way that could benefit others? To find out how it can continuously stay attuned to beneficiaries’ evolving needs, the CDAC set up a pilot project in August 2022 to get a better grasp on beneficiaries’ needs by applying the Design Thinking framework to create better services for those it seeks to help.

Design Thinking adopts a “user-first” approach that requires solutionfinders such as the CDAC team to integrate novel methods like design thinking, prototyping, data analytics, evidence-based practice, and change management into all its processes.

Six staff members were among the first who participated in the Design Sprint exercise. Collectively, they derived that in order to provide programmes and services that beneficiaries truly need, those within the CDAC first have to open their hearts to serve with humility, listen with empathy, and step into the beneficiaries’ shoes to understand their feelings, needs, and challenges.

Six staff members were among the first who participated in the Design Sprint exercise.

Tan Yin Leng Family Support & Development Department

Mok How Lurn Education Department

Chia Wee Li Family Support & Development Department

Pooja Trivedi Education Department

Ashley Seah Community Engagement & Development Department

Eu Hwan Suan Education Department

NEW MINDSET INITIATIVES

Walking a mile in the beneficiary’s shoes

The first batch of Design Thinking Pilot Project participants came from the Education, Family Support & Development (FSD), and Community Engagement & Development (CED) Departments.

They devised a design challenge that focused on creating a nurturing environment that can provide beneficiaries with engaging and meaningful learning experiences. Over the week, the team conducted focus group interviews with seven beneficiaries, engaged with over 30 staff members and stakeholders, and went to various CDAC Centres as “mystery shoppers” to experience what beneficiaries go through during their actual visits. These people-centric explorations sparked over 300 ideas, leading to three concept prototypes for how a CDAC Centre should look.

Tan Yin Leng from the FSD Department, one of the project team members, learnt how to walk a mile in the shoes of the beneficiaries and see things from their perspectives. “I can better understand what they are going through and am touched by their resilience and determination to contribute to their community. Even with limited resources, they are self-reliant and motivated to help others in need.”

Another team member, Eu Hwan Suan, also learnt that beneficiaries who participated in CDAC activities typically develop a strong sense of attachment to the Centre they visit. “How do we sustain this sense of belonging and make sure that such a connection is carried through to other CDAC Centres?”

The ideation process in Design Thinking helped Hwan Suan come up with a solution to her own question. She says, “We often make assumptions when planning programmes, but now, I have learnt to challenge my preconceptions and think out of the box so that we can plan better programmes that meet our beneficiaries’ needs.”

300 total number of ideas generated

30 CDAC staff members and stakeholders engaged

7 in-depth interviews conducted

3 concept prototypes generated

“We often make assumptions when planning programmes, but now, I have learnt to challenge my preconceptions and think out of the box so that we can plan better programmes that meet our beneficiaries’ needs.”

- Eu Hwan Suan, Education Department

“As we went through the (design thinking) process, we really focused on the beneficiaries and got to understand their challenges and situations better. As we delved deeper into the project, we did start thinking about how the different departments could contribute. So the one thing that I will definitely want to do is to ensure that we always start from the beneficiary's point of view and not CDAC's point of view.”

- Pooja Trivedi, Education Department

Unexpected insight into other departments

While the Design Thinking training was meant for the project team to devise better support and services for CDAC’s beneficiaries, the team members shared that they reaped unexpected benefits too. The Design Sprint helped them understand more about each other’s departments, thereby allowing them to work with each other with more openness in the spirit of serving the beneficiaries.

Pooja Trivedi, Cluster Director of Curriculum & Tutor Development, who led the Design Sprint, says, “Design Thinking helps staff develop a mindset shift where we put users at the centre of the problem-solving process. They are also more open to cross-functional collaborations, which can help foster a culture of collaboration and teamwork.”

Building on the success of this first inter-departmental Design Sprint, CDAC plans to have all its staff receive Design Thinking training in 2023 so that they can develop new professional capabilities and continue to be beneficiary-centric in their work.

embracing

technology to keep teaching relevant

When the CDAC was set up in 1992, its first initiative was providing academic support through tuition for children from low-income families. Today, we continue to support students who need additional help, guiding them on their educational journeys so that they may develop their fullest potentials in the classroom and beyond. We also conduct courses to equip parents with positive and practical parenting skills, empowering them to better support their children’s needs.

Academic Support and Enrichment Programmes

CDAC provides holistic academic support and enrichment courses for students from low-income families, ranging from Kindergarteners to those sitting for their A Levels. These programmes cover English, Chinese, Mathematics and the Sciences, and are held in schools, CDAC Centres and online. From 2023, eligible students need only pay a one-off annual commitment fee of $10 regardless of the number of subjects they sign up for. Those who meet the requisite income criteria will get the fee waived entirely. CDAC also conducts enriching holiday activities for children from low-income families to make their school breaks more fulfilling and meaningful.

We introduced the myCDAC platform in November 2022, and beneficiaries can now enjoy the convenience of applying for academic support and enrichment programmes online, in the comfort of their homes.

More academic support classes

In 2023, the CDAC has set up 120 support classes for the Primary Foundation and Secondary Normal (Technical) students, 150% more than the last year. To ensure that each student gets ample attention from the tutors, the minimum class size has also been adjusted and each class is good to go with at least two students per class.

CDAC-SFCCA Bursary

This helps low-income families defray the expenses of their children’s education and is usually disbursed at pre-determined junctures of the school year. The bursary caters to beneficiaries studying in MOE Primary and Secondary Schools, Independent and Autonomous Schools, Special Education Schools, and those under the Integrated Programme. From 2023, all bursary applications and disbursements will be made through the myCDAC platform.

Youth Empowerment & Aspiration Programme (YEAP)

YEAP comprises the YEAP Grant and YEAP Inspire Programme and supports students from post-secondary educational institutions, including Integrated Programme Schools, Junior Colleges, the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) Colleges, Polytechnics, and Fine Arts Schools. The YEAP Grant defrays beneficiaries' education expenses through financial support, while YEAP Inspire encourages them to pursue their dreams and cultivate life skills through activities and workshops. These activities range from learning journeys and mentorships to life skills and interest-based programmes.

“Walk with Me” Parent Education Series

CDAC conducts talks and workshops to equip parents with skills to understand their children’s needs and support their growth. The Parent Education Series is designed with MOE's trends and directions on topics like school selection considerations and new scoring systems so parents can keep abreast of relevant education requirements. Sessions end with our Family Life Consultant sharing tips for stronger family ties and holistic development.

Enhanced Parenting Group

In 2022, we held two runs of the Enhanced Parenting Group Workshop for up to 12 parents per run. Each run included four online and physical sessions led by CDAC Family Life Consultant Mdm Ngiow May Lee. The workshops aimed to offer deepened support and essential principles for modern parenting. Attendees were encouraged to share experiences and views to learn from and support each other in their parenting journeys.

CDAC Tuition Programme Awards

On 13 August, close to 300 students and their families, together with more than 50 selected centre personnel and tutors gathered for CDAC Tuition Programme Awards Presentation Ceremony. This took place at the NTUC Stephen Riady Auditorium. Student Progress Awards were given to honour the efforts by our learners. Long Service Awards were also given to 28 dedicated tuition centre personnel. Some of these personnel have served the community faithfully for up to 30 years! Furthermore, 25 tutors were honoured with commendations for their efforts. The event was graced by our EXCO board member, and Minister of State for Home Affairs and Social & Family Development, Ms Sun Xueling.

Big Heart Student Care Centres

Big Heart Student Care Centres are set up jointly by the Self-Help Groups. We offer programmes and fee subsidies to eligible students from vulnerable families and conduct parenting talks for their parents.

Adjustments to the Tuition Subsidy Framework

From 1 January 2023, beneficiaries with monthly household incomes below $2,400 or per capita income below $800 will be eligible to receive full fee waivers from CDAC. Students from families with monthly household incomes between $2,400 and $4,800 or per capita income between $800 and $1,400 only need to pay a one-off $10 annual commitment fee, regardless of the number of subjects they take.

2022 Learning Fiesta

Creating Joyful Classrooms

The CDAC Learning Fiesta is an annual event that celebrates innovation in teaching and learning. The 2022 edition of the Learning Fiesta was aptly themed “Creating Joyful Classrooms” and focused on three main areas: building Student-Teacher Relationships, enhancing motivation for learning and equipping staff for digital learning through selected Ed Tech tools & AI platforms. Dr Tay Hui Yong, Deputy Head of Learning Sciences & Assessment from the National Institute of Education (NIE) was our keynote speaker.

As we step into a post-pandemic era where much has changed, the Learning Fiesta aims to give CDAC Tutors the opportunity to learn and gain insights from distinguished academics and lead teachers in the industry as they share their expert knowledge and tools that can be used in the classroom. This will ensure that our Tutors remain attuned to developments in the Singapore classroom and beyond.

One core feature during the break-out sharing sessions was where the CDAC focused on sharing digital products and platforms that were being used or could be used in the classrooms. Tutors shared their latest successes using technology-enhanced learning initiatives such as Scribo and Cerebry. The effective use of other Ed Tech tools such as Kahoot and WordWall were also shared with the tutors. The positive energy that was witnessed and the feedback garnered was truly heartening. We look forward to more fruitful editions of impactful sharing and learning in 2023!

A snapshot of our impact from 2018-2022

Here with You, Through Thick and Thin

17-year-old Poon Yue Ling lives with her 71-year-old grandmother Mdm Annie Chong, and the two have only each other for support since 2013.

Mdm Chong sells probiotic beverage products for a living, and her meagre income goes towards monthly bills and living expenses for her and her granddaughter. The job’s flexible hours allow her to take care of Yue Ling, who sometimes accompanies Mdm Chong for work deliveries.

A dollar saved is a dollar earned

Mdm Chong's greatest wish is for Yue Ling to be healthy and progress in her studies to pave the way for a better life. “In Singapore, many children attend tuition classes after class, but the fees are too expensive for us,” says Mdm Chong.

Hence, when Mdm Chong discovered that the CDAC offers subsidised tuition, she rushed to apply for her granddaughter.

“It was fortunate that our application was approved! Yue Ling has been attending CDAC tuition classes almost weekly since she was in Primary 3. She is now studying at Anglo-Chinese Junior College, and these sessions have helped her greatly in her studies without breaking the bank,” says Mdm Chong.

Coming out of her shell

Over the years, apart from benefitting from tuition classes, Yue Ling was also accepted into the CDAC’s “Project Excellence” experiential learning programme customised to help promising students gain confidence through various learning opportunities.

“Yue Ling attended many extracurricular activities and learning journeys through the CDAC and got to visit places like the Singapore Zoo and Jurong Bird Park. She learnt so much during these excursions, and these are experiences that I could not give her,” says Mdm Chong.

According to Mdm Chong, Yue Ling used to be somewhat introverted and did not talk much, but has since gained confidence after attending two years of Drama Bilingual classes at NAFA under the CDAC’s sponsorship. Yue Ling lit up at the mention of the course, recalling how much she enjoyed those classes.

“My classmates and I got to perform and roleplay during lessons and learn how to interact and work with one another. It was a truly interesting experience!”

Helping others through self-help

Mdm Chong actively participates in CDAC activities designed to help parents support their growing children. Through talks on parenting skills, Mdm Chong learns how to communicate better with her granddaughter. She also attends courses and seminars targeted at senior citizens.

“I picked up tips on interacting with children and learnt how acupuncture and meditation help support personal wellness. Courses about using the mobile phone to surf the web or make e-payments also come in handy, and I benefited a lot from these activities,” says Mdm Chong.

With CDAC by their side providing support and assistance over the years, Mdm Chong and Yue Ling have navigated through hard times with greater ease. “If not for the help from CDAC,” says Mdm Chong, teary-eyed with gratitude, “I can’t imagine how life would be for my granddaughter and me”.

Yue Ling shares her grandmother’s sentiments and appreciation to the CDAC for supporting her since she was a child. “I am deeply thankful to the CDAC for my academic progress and personal development. I hope that in time to come, I can also use what I have learnt to help those in need.”

From Help-Seeking to Self-Empowerment

45-year-old Sim Mok Mei came to Singapore to look for work when she was younger, and little did she expect that her journey abroad would bring her so much more than a job. Mok Mei found love and settled down in Singapore with her husband, and they now have two children.

When the couple had their first child, Zhi En, money was tight for the family. Mok Mei learnt about the CDAC through a friend’s introduction and started visiting Vibrance @ Yishun near her home to attend talks and activities.

“If time allows, I would go for almost any talk and activity provided by the CDAC. I learnt so much about parenting, child-raising tips, and keys to general well-being from the teachers and speakers at these sessions,” says Mok Mei.

When she learnt that the CDAC offers free homework guidance for children from low-income families through the Supervised Homework Group (SHG), she promptly enrolled Zhi En in the programme.

“We don’t earn enough to send our children for expensive tuition classes, so we are very thankful for the CDAC and its SHG volunteer mentors who guided Zhi En in his school assignments and helped with his academic progress from Primary 1 through to Secondary 2,” says Mok Mei.

Beyond academic benefits

Having received valuable support through the CDAC, Mok Mei’s son Zhi En, now 18, has nothing but praise when talking about his learning experiences at the CDAC.

“I went to the CDAC three to four times per week for various programmes. The volunteers in the Supervised Homework Group were always warm and responsible. One of the volunteers mentoring us in science would help us develop our interest in the subject through interesting experiments, and this made me fall in love with science. Another Indian volunteer used unique methods to teach us English, which helped us learn many English phrases and stories not taught in school,” says Zhi En.

Zhi En also participated in CDAC’s Project Excellence and visited attractions like the Singapore Science Centre, Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall and the Singapore Botanic Gardens, to name a few. He recalls, “The excursions were engaging, and the explanations and sharing by volunteers who led us on these trips expanded our knowledge and perspectives about these places and the world around us.”

Zhi En’s younger sister, 12-year-old Lee Wei En, is also a CDAC beneficiary. This is what she says of the classes and activities at the CDAC, “I attend the English classes and take part in holiday activities organised by the CDAC, such as baking and craft workshops. These are great fun!”

Better employability after training

Mok Mei, an interior designer by training, was interested in early childhood education but had no relevant work experience and found it hard to get a job in this field.

“I was keen to explore early childhood education as a career but had no relevant certification or experience. Fortunately, the CDAC sponsored me to attend a four-month express course in early childhood education that got me an admin job at a preschool near my place. This stable source of income has helped ease our financial situation,” says Mok Mei.

“Our family deeply appreciates the CDAC for helping us over the years. I have signed up to volunteer for the parent engagement programme and hope to share my experiences to benefit other parents. We hope to thank the CDAC for its support by paying it forward to help others in need.”

integrated

support for holistic family growth

The CDAC offers relevant and targeted support as well as programmes for different members of the same low-income family, from preschoolers to senior citizens. Customised assistance catering to each family’s needs is provided through a case management approach. Apart from providing solid educational foundations for young children, supporting their educational journey from early childhood through adolescence, and helping to improve the conditions of these families, we also support senior citizens in pursuing lifelong learning through programmes to enhance their well-being while encouraging inter-generational interactions within families.

Comprehensive Support for Family Development

Starting Young

5 - 6 years

■ Nurture children’s confidence, creativity & communication

■ Play-based learning approach

Strengthening Transition to Adolescence

10 - 14 years

■ Impact life-skills & develop the youths' character

■ Volunteer driven mentoring & tutoring

Casework Management

Individuals / Families

■ Family Assistance Programme

■ CDAC-SFCCA Hardship Assistance Fund Scheme

■ Family-centric approach

Family Resource Programme Individuals / Families

■ Improve resources & capabilities

■ Family bonding

■ Ready for School

■ Coverage: Employment Support, Financial Literacy, Marriage Enrichment, Healthy Living

Fulfilling Ageing Individuals / Intergenerational gaps

■ Promote active aging & intergenerational interaction

■ Healthy living

Laying the Foundations for a Stable Learning Journey (5 - 6 years old)

Play-based Learning Programmes

At the start of 2022, the CDAC reviewed its “Planting Grass, Growing Trees” strategy of deepening our support for our beneficiaries. The first initiative raised was to strengthen the educational foundation of children from underprivileged families. Between September and November 2022, CDAC set up a playroom in the CDAC building and piloted its “Play-based Learning Programme”, conducted by our vendors and facilitated by CDAC volunteers. The thematic play-and-learn sessions were held over ten weeks for preschoolers aged five and six years old. The pilot course benefitted 11 children and their parents under our casework management framework and met the following three objectives:

■ Build and strengthen children’s self-expression, self-control, confidence, communication skills, and socialisation skills through play;

■ Facilitate parents'/ guardians’ appreciation of how play helps their children’s development and learning;

■ Encourage families to improvise or replicate play experiences at home using available resources.

The CDAC plans to expand the programme in 2023.

Deepening Support for Adolescents-to-be (10 - 14 years old)

Supervised Homework Group (SHG)

The SHG is open to families under case management with children in upper primary levels. SHG is led by CDAC volunteers who mentor the children as big brothers and sisters, guiding them through their homework and encouraging participation in indoor and outdoor educational activities. Each round of SHG lasts ten months every year and aims to inculcate positive values and facilitate character development in young learners. Each SHG session is three hours long and takes place every Saturday across eight CDAC Centres. In 2022, SHG offered guidance and mentorships for 128 students from 111 households.

Project YOUth Can Shine

This extension of the SHG aims to help students transit smoothly from primary to secondary school life. Volunteers provide homework guidance to help them better adapt to their new school environments. In 2022, Project YOUth Can Shine was introduced at a third CDAC Centre, benefitting 46 students from 40 families.

Supporting Individuals and Families Case Management

CDAC uses a case management approach to support underprivileged families. Caseworkers evaluate the family’s available resources and provide assistance based on each family member's financial resources, health, employability and education needs. For families facing financial difficulties, CDAC also extends financial support, such as providing shopping vouchers to help them cope with daily expenses. CDAC also offers consultation services to help job seekers improve employability and identify employment opportunities available in the market while assisting those who are already employed better understand their training needs. Where necessary, caseworkers may also refer these jobseekers to suitable organisations to further help them.

Family Resource Programme (FRP)

FRP helps families to be more resilient and aims to improve the relationships between family members through activities such as talks, workshops, health screenings, learning days, and support groups.

Support Groups: CDAC has support groups for single parents, transnational couples, families facing debt issues, parents of adolescents, and job seekers. We conduct workshops to help group participants acquire essential skills and develop new capabilities and resilience. In 2022, CDAC started working with its new partner, Friends-In-Deed Counselling Society, to form support groups for families with adolescent children.

“Family Day Out” (previously known as Family Bonding Day): This annual programme aims to give low-income families a chance to improve family cohesion by providing a platform for family members to enjoy one another’s company on a day out together. In 2022, the CDAC distributed tickets to the Singapore Zoo and S.E.A Aquarium to 690 low-income families so they could plan family excursions at their convenience. Families in support groups also enjoyed a Singapore River cruise.

Healthy Living Fiesta: This special outdoor event was held in celebration of the CDAC’s 30th anniversary to promote physical and mental health among beneficiaries through various cultural and entertainment activities. The 2022 Healthy Living Fiesta saw the participation of 96 families who took part in kitemaking workshops and a 5-session ocarina workshop. The Fiesta concluded with a grand finale held at Marina Barrage, with family bonding activities such as kiteflying, tug-of-war, skipping competition, a mass picnic, and performances by the families who attended the ocarina workshops.

Ready For School (RFS): After a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic, Ready For School returned in 2022 in a carnival format and was held together with the year’s SHG Graduation Ceremony. 7,440 families attended the carnival. To reduce its carbon footprint and align itself with the Smart Nation Singapore plan, the CDAC did away with its 18-year practice of issuing physical care packs and vouchers to those attending the event. Instead, vouchers were securely and efficiently distributed to beneficiary families through digital platforms, reducing the manpower and logistical resources required. Each family received $200 in transport e-vouchers, and up to three children per family also received $80 in e-vouchers each to purchase school supplies like textbooks, stationery, shoes, and glasses.

Driving intergenerational bonding

Fulfilling Ageing (FFA) programme

Since its restructuring, the CDAC’s Fulfilling Ageing (FFA) programme has been moved under the Family Support and Development (FSD) arm for a more inclusive and holistic focus on a family’s core values. The FFA programme helps seniors aged 50 years and above remain active in mind and body for a more proactive and positive outlook on life. It also advocates respect for our seniors and calls for more care towards the elderly.

In 2022, 2,678 people participated in various activities under the FFA programme, including 1,800 senior citizens.

Learning and Sharing: Lifelong learning helps seniors stay active and positive in terms of their outlook and mindset. CDAC offers various learning activities ranging from current affairs to topics covering health, technology, history, and culture:

■ The “News Sharing” and "Senior Learning Kiosk" initiatives help seniors stay in touch with current affairs and acquire new knowledge.

■ Topical sharing sessions help seniors understand the latest issues relevant to them.

■ Five sessions of Tree Planting Day were held as part of Learning Journeys, giving 97 seniors a chance to contribute to NParks’ OneMillionTrees Movement.

■ Health and wellness talks gave insights on helpful topics like TCM and yoga.

■ Sharing sessions led by selected tech companies and schools help seniors dip their toes in the digital world and teach them to use the myCDAC e-platform.

Senior Volunteerism: The CDAC encourages volunteerism among the elderly to keep them physically and mentally active.

A snapshot of our impact from 2018-2022

Seniors can join “Granny Quilt”, a weekly activity held at CDAC@ Redhill and CDAC@ Punggol to sew quilts for families welcoming newborns within their communities. This is a way for our senior volunteers to express well wishes for the families while preserving cultural traditions. We also partner with senior care organisations to give free haircuts for elderly residents with mobility issues. These sessions are helmed by our senior volunteers and are held across five senior facilities and nursing homes.

“Connecting Generations” Programmes & Projects: These initiatives encourage intergenerational interactions to cultivate a culture of respect for the elderly.

■ Jointly organised by the CDAC and the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations (SFCCA), this annual activity provides a platform for youths to volunteer and care for seniors from lower-income groups. Youth volunteers also have the chance to organise excursions to spend time and interact with seniors.

■ We organise activities for festivities like the Dragon Boat Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival, allowing seniors to mingle while celebrating Chinese traditions. 53 seniors from four CDAC Centres attended the 2022 Dragon Boat Festival celebration, which comprises the “A Little From All” Virtual Run and a dragon boating event at Jurong Lake Gardens. The Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration cum Sing-Along Concert in September 2022 saw 472 seniors and 50 CDAC volunteers from nine CDAC Centres and Vibrance @ Yishun spending a delightful evening at Gardens by the Bay.

■ Craft workshops: Senior volunteers teach students in the area of making handicrafts that they can give to their loved ones for special occasions.

■ CDAC Building Heritage Tour: This is a new initiative to be launched in Q3 of 2023. Experienced guides will train and lead senior volunteers to be co-guides for heritage tours targeted at seniors and secondary school students, who would get a chance to experience fun games from yesteryears.

With Help, Late is Never Too Late

Looking at Ruby Lee interacting confidently with those around her, one would find it hard to believe that just a few years ago, this bubbly teenager was painfully shy and closed off from those around her.

Unlike most children in Singapore, Ruby's birth was not registered until she was 11 years old, so she did not attend kindergarten or primary school. Growing up, the small rental flat she shared with her parents was her entire world, and the only education she received comprised the Mandarin phrases her father taught her. Ruby's father, Mr Lee Kia Por, was plagued by chronic health issues and heart problems, and his wife was also severely ill. When Ruby was 11, the family lost Mrs Lee to cancer. As Mr Lee's poor health made it near impossible for him to find work, the father-daughter pair could only depend on ComCare to cover their living expenses. Acutely aware that her circumstances differed from others, Ruby was quiet from young, passing the days, doing nothing in particular.

Given a new lease on life

In 2016, Mr Lee had to undergo a heart bypass surgery, which became a turning point for him and Ruby.

"I am actually thankful I had to go under the knife because the hospital staff found out about our plight and contacted the CDAC on our behalf. The CDAC has been helping us since then, and I am most grateful for this," explains Mr Lee.

Mr Lee says Ruby was a withdrawn child who didn't talk much, but she has become cheerful and chatty over the past few years. "It isn't easy for Ruby to come out of her shell, and it makes me happy to see her interact with others so cheerfully,” says the 67-year-old doting father.

17-year-old Ruby started Secondary 1 earlier this year and is not bothered about being older than other students in the same level. She says, “I really like my school and classmates. We have to pick Co-Curricular Activities this year, and I chose to join a musical group. My teacher suggested I pick up the euphonium, a brass wind instrument that is heavy but fun to learn.”

Mr Lee’s pride at his daughter’s transformation is perceivable whenever he speaks of her. “I don’t understand English, but I like hearing her talk to her friends in English, and it fills me with joy when she chatters about what happened at school.”

“Thanks to the volunteer tutors at CDAC, Ruby not only caught up academically but is thriving in school, so I am thankful for CDAC's help. In particular, Ms Connie Tan, Assistant Manager of CDAC's Family Support and Development department, is one of the guardian angels who always answers our questions and calls for help in any way she can.”

Holistic and effective case management

Just as Mr Lee remembers her fondly, Connie also has a deep impression of Mr Lee and Ruby.

"At CDAC, we handle a wide variety of cases, but Ruby and Mr Lee's circumstances make them the most unique case I have handled," says Connie. “Ruby could not go to school as she did not have a birth certificate. Mr Lee could not work because of his poor health. The family had no income and needed help on multiple fronts, from financial assistance to social, educational, and psychological support."

Connie and her team at the FSD Department took a specialised case management approach for Mr Lee and Ruby's case to identify how best to help them. “After assessing the circumstances, we tackled the issues in phases based on what Mr Lee and Ruby needed most.”

“In phase one, we contacted the Ministry of Social and Family Development to submit an appeal. In 2017, Ruby finally got issued a birth certificate and was no longer without an official identity. With this, we arranged for a volunteer Lim Chay Bee from our kidsREAD programme to teach Ruby basic English and guide her in reading practices to prep her for primary school," Connie explains.

"In phase two, under MSF's guidance and with the combined efforts from various social service agencies, we enrolled Ruby in school and had a volunteer from the Supervised Homework Group (SHG) provide her with one-on-one academic guidance, helping Ruby find confidence and courage to talk to others through the encouragement and influence of peers around her age.”

“In phase three, we helped Ruby apply for a bursary and provided interim financial support. We also encouraged Mr Lee to attend parenting talks to help him recognise the importance of allowing Ruby to get an education,” elaborates Connie. “We hope that with the various assistance schemes provided for the family and Ruby, Mr Lee can face life’s challenges head-on with optimism to make life better for the family.”

Volunteers with Heart

73-year-old volunteer tutor Lee Kwai Peng Vivien has given Ruby tuition for years. “From Primary 2 to 6, I gave her English, Maths, and Science lessons once a week during the school term and twice a week during school holidays. Ruby didn’t have any foundation, so progress was slow at first, but she improved by leaps and bounds over time. It was heartening to witness her growth, and I feel an immense sense of achievement,” says Vivien Lee.

Tan Xue Ling, Tan Poh Jee, Ong Qing Qing, and Chan Xin Ying were Ruby’s SHG mentors at different levels when she was in primary school, and the four remember Ruby clearly as well. Poh Jee guided Ruby when she was in Primary 2 and 3 and recalls the challenges she faced then. “At first, Ruby didn’t have much confidence and was reluctant to learn, so guiding her was no walk in the park. We thought of various ways to help her enjoy learning and chatted with her to build camaraderie. Ruby’s favourite subject was Chinese, and she enjoyed doing Chinese homework, so we would leave her favourite to the last and encourage her to finish other assignments first. I’m thrilled to see her improve,” says Poh Jee.

Ong Qing Qing, an undergraduate at NTU, volunteers with the CDAC on weekends and was the SHG mentor when Ruby was in Primary 4 and 5. She says, “Ruby’s Chinese

“After assessing the circumstances, we tackled the issues in phases based on what Mr Lee and Ruby needed most.”

- Connie Tan, Assistant Manager (Family Support

and Development)

“At first, Ruby didn’t have much confidence and was reluctant to learn, so guiding her was no walk in the park. We thought of various ways to help her enjoy learning and chatted with her to build camaraderie.”

- Tan Poh Jee, SHG volunteer

“Ruby didn’t have any foundations, so progress was slow at first, but she improved by leaps and bounds over time. It was heartening to witness her growth, and I feel an immense sense of achievement.”

- Vivien Lee, volunteer tutor

Left: Connie Tan ■ Tan Poh Jee ■ Lee Kwai Peng Vivien ■ Lee Huiying ■ Mr Lee Kia Por Ong ■ Ong Qing Qing

was stronger, so I tried to translate part of the English and Science content and explained them to her in Mandarin so that she could understand better. Through this process, her English improved, and so did my Chinese, so it was a win-win situation!”

“She asked me about life at university, and I would share my experiences with her and encourage her to study hard and try for a place in university when she’s older,” says Qing Qing of the meaningful experiences she shared with Ruby.

While her former SHG mentors speak fondly of her, Ruby also shares her adoration for these “big sisters”. Ruby says, “They taught me a lot and constantly encouraged and helped me become more confident and find my zest for life.”

Mr Lee, too, holds deep gratitude to the volunteers who have touched Ruby’s life. “I’m a single father, and it’s sometimes challenging to parent her appropriately in her pubescent years. I’m so thankful for these volunteers who are like Ruby’s “big sisters”, extending care and support when she is uncertain about school, biological changes, or life in general, offering their friendship and emotional support. These volunteers have helped Ruby become more confident and cheerful, and their support has completely turned her life around.”

CDAC brings support programmes to families in need, providing support and services at the 12 CDAC Centres islandwide and Vibrance @ Yishun (Self-Help Groups Centre) Through close collaborations with community partners, CDAC also conducts an assortment of activities that allow beneficiaries to pick up new skills to enrich their lives.

Community Engagement & Development

To raise awareness for CDAC’s support programmes, the CDAC works with community partners such as educational institutes, grassroots organisations, social service agencies, private enterprises, and government agencies. By establishing close working relations with these partners, CDAC is able to tap into their resources to organise a more comprehensive range of activities and programmes to benefit those with different needs.

Collaboration with Statutory Boards

■ kidsREAD

■ NEU PC Plus

■ SkillsFuture workshops

■ Employability skills sharing sessions

■ Community Chinese Reading Project

■ WeCare Arts Programme

■ Career fairs

■ Tree-planting activities

■ Mental wellness talks with HPB

Collaboration with Social Service Groups

■ Di Zi Gui parent-child programme

■ TCM health and wellness talks

■ Parenting talks

■ Project C.A.R.E

■ Coding courses

Collaboration with Grassroots Organisations

■ Homework guidance

■ Parent-child activities

■ Adopt a Christmas Wish

■ Arts & crafts for children

■ Learning journeys

These initiatives are made available to families in need through the 12 CDAC Centres and Self-Help Groups Centre. Every year, there are approximately 240 collaborative projects, including 90 long-term projects.

■ Tuition Programme

■ Operation Einstein

■ Digital workshops

■ Financial literacy programmes

■ Homework Clinic and Consultation

■ Kidleidoscope art courses

■ Reading programmes

■ Distribution of necessities (through schools and educational institutions)

■ “Reading with You” Programme

■ Digital literacy courses

■ Computer classes for seniors

■ Sharing sessions on legal knowledge

CDAC, together with Yayasan MENDAKI (MENDAKI), Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA), and the Eurasian Association (EA), make up Singapore’s four major Self-Help Groups (SHGs). The Collaborative Tuition Programme launched by the four SHGs in 2002 has since grown from 11 tuition centres to 175 tuition centres in 2022.

In 2015, the four SHGs joined forces to set up a joint venture company that runs school-based student care centres that offer after-school care to children. Today, 30 such student care centres are in operation at primary schools around Singapore.

In 2018, the “Vibrance @ Yishun” Self-Help Groups Centre was set up. The Centre conducts about 130 courses and activities for beneficiaries every year. This close collaboration between the SHGs gives students from different races a common ground to learn together while bonding and understanding each other’s cultures.

Collaboration with Educational Institutions

Collaboration with Private Enterprises

Collaborations with other Self-Help Groups (SHGs)

Community Engagement & Development

Community Outreach Programme Sharing sessions

In 2022, CDAC worked with schools, grassroots organisations, social service agencies and government agencies to hold 100 sharing sessions for targeted audiences to help them better understand CDAC’s available support programmes.

kidsREAD

CDAC has worked with the National Library Board on the kidsREAD programme for over 19 years. Every weekend, approximately 130 volunteers would visit the 12 CDAC Centres and Vibrance @ Yishun to read English storybooks to young children from low-income families. By exposing five to eight-year-olds to the English language through engaging story-telling sessions, the kidsREAD programme aims to cultivate a love for reading to establish stronger English foundation for these young beneficiaries.

A snapshot of our impact from 2018-2022

Igniting a Flame of Love

A self-help organisation is only as strong as its volunteers. At the CDAC, our generous and self-sacrificing volunteers have dedicated themselves to mentor students or enrich the lives of our elderly, willingly devoting time and effort to brighten someone else’s life.

Passing the torch

“Interacting and building rapport with young children brings me great joy.”

29-year-old Koh Si Yuh, Eunice, has volunteered with the CDAC in various roles since 2015. When she first started, Eunice was a mentor for the Supervised Homework Group (SHG). One of the first students she counselled eventually joined the CDAC as a volunteer after seven years.

Eunice’s heart fills with pride and emotion, knowing that the torch of volunteerism has been passed along, as it affirms that her dedication has paid off.

“Seeing young minds grow and flourish is my greatest motivation to continue volunteering,” says Eunice, who is now involved in the Play-based Learning Programme, lending her time to help young children develop healthily and holistically.

A source of happiness

Koh Yu Xiang volunteers with the CDAC’s kidsREAD programme and enjoys exposing children to the wondrous world of storybooks. Apart from introducing suitable books for five to eight-year-olds and encouraging them to read more, Yu Xiang also steps up to take on leadership roles in organising activities for the CDAC.

Left: Tan Zhan Hong ■ Koh Yu Xiang ■ Koh Si Yuh ■ Eunice ■ Tan Xianjing

When she joined the CDAC in 2009, she was still a polytechnic student, barely an adult herself. Now, the 34-year-old is soon to be married to her fiancé, whom she met during a CDAC event.

“14 years with the CDAC have passed in the blink of an eye, and volunteer work continues to be a great source of joy to me… meeting my partner while volunteering is a bonus!”

Leading by example

The CDAC has inspired many of its beneficiaries to pay it forward; Tan Zhan Hong, 33, is one example. He started volunteering in 2005 and quickly assumed the role of volunteer coordinator (VC) because of his leadership abilities. Zhan Hong’s volunteer scope included mentoring students under the Supervised Homework Group, coordinating activities and schedules for volunteers, students, and parents, and managing related issues.

In 2020, Zhan Hong stepped down from his VC role but continued to guide new VCs. Through Zhan Hong’s influence, his wife also started volunteering with the CDAC and remains an active volunteer with the organisation. When asked why they choose to spend their time volunteering, Zhan Hong said, “To us, spending time with the children and helping them with their academic needs is enjoyable, meaningful, and gratifying.”

Becoming a better person

In 2014, Tan Xianjing started volunteering with the CDAC and later participated in the FFA programme to help seniors find more fulfilment and joy in their lives. Between 2016 and 2017, he was also a part of Project Aspirar, offering guidance to students between Secondary Three and Five.

To Xianjing, a secondary school teacher, teaching benefits teachers as much as learners, just as how volunteering helps volunteers as much as beneficiaries.

“My experiences help me to design volunteer programmes for my students, and I also gain a deeper appreciation for the significance of education for both students and parents,” he says.

Even with two young children to care for at home, Xianjing is determined to continue volunteering. “Volunteering has helped me become a better teacher, father, an educator,” he says, “and I am deeply grateful for these experiences. Volunteerism may seem like a thankless job to some, but to our CDAC volunteers, the positive results of their time and dedication spent on helping others are the best form of gratitude they need."

As the saying goes, “A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle”. Our volunteers will continue to serve with passion, patience, compassion, love, and altruism, lighting the path for those in need.

Hand in Hand, Yes We Can!

Children have an innate desire to explore and learn about the world around them, and having companions on the journey makes discovering new things even more fun.

We have been working with Youth Corps Singapore to conduct school holiday activities for primary school students since 2021. Primary 1 to 3 students get to try their hand at game coding, while Primary 4 to 6 students get to attend the “Little India Cultural Exploration” excursion. Both activities were met with overwhelming responses.

Learning through play

Chiang Wei Zhi joined Youth Corps in 2022 and is a member of the committee that organises these holiday programmes. She helps recruit youth volunteers and liaises with the primary school students who sign up for these activities. To Wei Zhi, seeing the participants’ newfound confidence and joy makes it all worthwhile.

The Coding Games for Kids programme for lower primary students is conducted over four weekly online classes. Each week, the content gets progressively more in-depth to spark students' interest in coding and logical thinking. Youth volunteers guide the students to help them overcome obstacles faced during the gameplay.

“Participants learn through gameplay and gain knowledge while having fun. They also learn how to communicate and work with others during the programme,” says Wei Zhi.

Since 2021, Youth Corps has conducted three terms of the Coding Games for Kids programme and will continue to do so in 2023 to meet the high demands.

An exploration of different cultures

Upper primary students experienced a different type of holiday activity guided by the Youth Corps volunteers. They went on an excursion to Little India, where they visited the Indian Heritage Centre and learnt more about the culture through aspects such as food, festivals, and history of the Indian community in Singapore.

“Singapore is a multiracial country. As Singaporeans, we should try to understand the cultures of our peer ethnicities,” Wei Zhi explains.

Youth Corps is broadening the scope of future excursions to include museums and other interesting cultural attractions. They hope to continue working with the CDAC to bring students on more exploration journeys to discover more of Singapore.

Annual Financial Report Highlights

Income Highlights

Expenses Highlights

Corporate Governance

Roles and Composition of Board of Directors and Board of Trustees

1 The founding members of the Chinese Development Assistance Council (“CDAC”) are the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (“SCCCI”) and the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations (“SFCCA”). The Patron is the Prime Minister of Singapore.

2 The CDAC has formed two separate Boards, the Board of Directors and the Board of Trustees, to manage the Operation Fund and the Endowment Fund respectively. The Board of Directors and the Board of Trustees of the CDAC are formed through a tripartite nomination in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the CDAC. The Patron, the SCCCI and the SFCCA each nominate their representatives to serve on the two Boards.

3 The Board of Directors comprises four representatives each from the SCCCI and SFCCA, and nine other persons nominated by the Patron. The Board of Trustees comprises the Chairman of the Board of Directors, seven representatives each from the SCCCI and SFCCA, and nine other persons nominated by the Patron of the Council. There are 17 members in the Board of Directors, including Board Chairman Mr Ong Ye Kung. The Board of Trustees has 24 members, including Board Chairman Mr Ng San Tiong.

4 The roles of the Board of Directors are to:

(a) formulate key objectives, strategies, and directions for the operation of the CDAC;

(b) monitor and review the progress of the various programmes and activities of the CDAC;

(c) review and approve annual budgets for the various programmes and activities of the CDAC; and

(d) abide by the duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of a Director, as specified in the Companies Act as well as under common law.

5 The Board of Trustees is entrusted with the duty of managing and building up the Endowment Fund. Any usage of the Endowment Fund to finance the Council’s operation requires the approval of the Board of Trustees. The roles of the Board of Trustees are to:

(a) mobilise community support to achieve the objectives of the CDAC;

(b) hold in trust any assets for the CDAC at the request of the Board of Directors; and

(c) offer observations, comments, and advice regarding the general programmes adopted by the CDAC.

6 Board members comprise individuals with diverse skills, qualifications, and backgrounds. These include accounting, auditing, banking, business, general management, investment, law, and public service. The Board members accept their roles without any remuneration.

Board Term Limit, Meetings and Attendance

7 The Board term is two years. The current term is from 28 June 2022 to the Annual General Meeting in June 2024. During its current Board term, the Board of Directors conducts its selfevaluation to assess its performance and effectiveness. Board members are nominated for appointment and/or re-appointment to the respective Boards at the end of the two-year term through their nominators.

Board Term Limit, Meetings and Attendance (continued)

8 The CDAC held two Board of Directors’ (BOD) meetings in 2022.

Board Term Limit, Meetings and Attendance (continued)

9 The CDAC held two Board of Trustees’ (BOT) meetings in 2022.

Board Term Limit, Meetings and Attendance (continued)

Note:

1 Retired on 28 June 2022.

2 Board Director who has served for more than 10 consecutive years.

3 Board Trustee who has served for more than 10 consecutive years.

10 In total, six Board Directors and seven Board Trustees have served in their present capacities for more than 10 consecutive years. They were nominated by their respective nominating bodies in consideration of their abilities to contribute to the CDAC Boards, as well as their leadership positions in the community. As the CDAC values continuity and stability, these Board members continue to serve in their present capacities. They have maintained independence in their oversight roles and have continued to add value to the CDAC. A term limit of four consecutive years is currently set for the Chairmanship of the Finance & Establishment Committee.

11 New incoming Board members attend an orientation briefing session and are given an information kit on the CDAC to familiarise themselves with CDAC’s work and governance practices.

** Building Committee dissolved on 4 September 2022. The Organisation Structure reflects the changes in departments with effect from January 2023

Organisation structure

12 The Executive Committee (EXCO) was set up to achieve better synergy among the CDAC Programmes. The EXCO also implements the Board’s fiduciary, strategic and policy decisions. Six other Board Committees were also set up to improve the CDAC’s oversight of management and accountability to its stakeholders. They are the Audit & Risk Committee, Building Committee, Finance & Establishment Committee, Investment Committee, Stakeholders Communications Committee and Tender Committee. All committees have clear terms of reference approved by the Board. The Committee members, who include both Board members and external domain experts, are appointed by the Board Chairman. The Tender Committee is appointed by the Board of Directors.

Executive Committee (EXCO)

The EXCO advises the CDAC Secretariat on the strategies for the various programmes, including outreach and stakeholders’ engagement. It monitors the implementation of the Board’s decision on strategic matters, policies, business plans, and annual budgets, and acts on behalf of the Board on any matters delegated by the Board from time to time. Three EXCO meetings were held in 2022. The composition of the EXCO is as follows:

Chairman – Mr Ong Ye Kung

Members – Mr Baey Yam Keng, Mr Chee Hong Tat, Dr Koh Poh Koon, Ms Lim Sau Hoong, Ms Low Yen Ling, Ms Sun Xueling, and Mr Alex Yam Ziming

Audit & Risk Committee (ARC)

The ARC serves as an independent and objective party to assist the Board of Directors and Board of Trustees in fulfilling their fiduciary responsibilities relating to corporate accounting and reporting practices, risk management and internal controls. Two ARC meetings were held in 2022. The composition of the ARC is as follows:

Chairman – Mr Adrian Peh Nam Chuan1, Mr Patrick Ng Bee Soon2

Members – Mr Chua Pin, Mr Charles Ho Nai Chuen1, Mr Chia Kim Huat2 and Mr Yeo Ek Khuan

Note:

1 Retired on 28 June 2022.

2 Appointed with effect from 28 June 2022.

Building Committee (BC)

The BC was set up on 27 May 2020 to oversee the renovation of the CDAC Headquarters, which was completed and awarded the Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) on 9 September 2022. The BC had provided strategic direction and maintained oversight for this project, including the plans for future maintenance. Seven BC meetings were held in 2022. The composition of the Committee was as follows:

Chairman – Mr Seow Choke Meng

Members – Ms Lim Sau Hoong and Mr Wan Shung Ming

Note: The Committee was dissolved after the CDAC obtained its TOP for the renovation project.

Finance & Establishment (F&E) Committee

The F&E Committee provides oversight for the CDAC’s financial records and cost management. The Committee monitors the expenditure against the approved budgets for the CDAC’s various programmes. The Committee also oversees human resource management and ensures an adequate, effective, and competency-based wage reward and remuneration system. Three F&E Committee meetings were held in 2022. The composition of the Committee is as follows:

Chairman – Mr Tan Cheng Gay2, Mr Ng Siew Quan3

Members – Mr Ng San Tiong1, Mr Seow Choke Meng, Mr Chris Leong Sin Kuen3, Ms Caryn Lim Tze Ching3 and Mr Wan Shung Ming1

Note:

1 Retired on 28 June 2022.

2 Retired as Chairman on 28 June 2022 and continues to serve as member of the F& E Committee

3 Appointed with effect from 28 June 2022

Organisation structure (continued)

Stakeholders Communications (SC) Committee

The SC Committee reviews and recommends communication strategies to enhance stakeholders’ awareness of and support for CDAC’s cause and programmes. It also advises the CDAC on the implementation of strategies to enhance communication with stakeholders. The SC held one meeting in 2022. The composition of the Committee is as follows:

Chairman – Ms Lim Sau Hoong

Members – Ms Goh Sin Hwee, Mr Lee Ee Wurn, Mr Ng Kim Hwee, Mr Peter Ong, Mr Pok Cheng Chong1, Mr Woo Keng Choong and Mr Danny Yeo Jun Wei

Note:

1 Appointed with effect from 28 June 2022.

Tender Committee

The Tender Committee reviews and approves the award of a tender and/or quotation that exceeds $300,000. This helps to ensure a more robust and rigorous procedure for major procurement, which includes renovation works, IT development projects, and the procurement of enrichment programmes for a contractual period. The composition of the Committee is as follows:

Chairman – Mr Ong Ye Kung

Members – Mr Chee Hong Tat1, Mr Tan Cheng Gay2, and Mr Ng Siew Quan3

Alternate Members: Mr Baey Yam Keng, Ms Caryn Lim Tze Ching3 and Mr Wan Shung Ming2

Note:

1 Alternate Chairman of Tender Committee.

2 Retired on 28 June 2022.

3 Appointed with effect from 28 June 2022.

Investment Committee (IC)

The IC provides recommendations on investment strategies to preserve and enhance the values of the CDAC Funds and reviews and plans the investment portfolio allocations of the CDAC Funds. The IC also sets policies on the investment of the CDAC Funds based on the approved guidelines set by the Board of Trustees and in accordance with the Trustees Act. There were two IC meetings held in 2022. The composition of the Committee is as follows:

Chairman – Mr Tony Chew Leong-Chee

Members – Ms Lynn Koh Beow Ko, Mr Sherman Kwek Eik Tse, Mr Lee Sze Leong, Ms Lim Li Ying and Mr Patrick Ng Bee Soon1

Note:

1 Retired on 28 June 2022.

Roles and functions of CDAC management team and staff

The roles and responsibilities of the Boards and the management team are kept separate to maintain effective oversight. The day-to-day management of the CDAC is delegated by the Boards to the management team. The management team is headed by Executive Director Mr Tan Yap Kin (appointed on 29 June 2022). Mr Tan joined the CDAC as the Deputy Executive Director on 20 January 2022.

The roles of the CDAC management team and staff include:

(a) carrying out the day-to-day operation of various programmes and activities, and providing Secretariat support to the Board and Board Committees; and

(b) monitoring the progress of various programmes and activities, and providing the Boards and the Board Committees with timely progress reports

Key Corporate Governance Practices

13 Board members and employees are required to, in their respective capacities, act in the best interest of the CDAC at all times. Policies and procedures are designed to prevent and address potential conflict-of-interest situations while promoting the ethical conduct of Board members and employees. The CDAC Boards have approved a Code of Conduct for its Board members, staff, and volunteers. The CDAC has also put in place its Conflict of Interest, Whistle-Blowing, Know Your Donors, and Communications policies.

Code of Conduct

The Code of Conduct requires Board members, staff, and volunteers to protect all confidential information entrusted to him/her, except when the Board authorises disclosure. Board members are also to adhere to a high ethical standard in the conduct of their duties and responsibilities. Board members are expected to exercise the duties and responsibilities of their positions, attend meetings, and participate in the discussion of issues, policies, and other Board matters.

Conflict of Interest

All Board members and staff make declaration of actual or potential conflicts of interest on related party and/or interested party transactions which could conflict with their duties. The CDAC requires its Board members, Board Committee members and staff to make a yearly declaration, or a declaration at the earliest opportunity when there is a conflict of interest situation.

Whistle-Blowing CDAC has established a whistle-blowing policy to enable staff or any other persons to, in confidence, raise concerns about possible wrongdoing or improprieties in financial or other matters.

Know Your Donors

The CDAC has put in place a policy that requires the CDAC to perform due diligence checks on donation or sponsorship sources (from individuals and corporations) as measures for anti- money laundering and for countering financing of terrorism. The CDAC will guard against the misuse of its name and/or reputation by external parties for terrorist or money-laundering purposes.

Public Image

The CDAC has a documented communications policy on the release of information about the CDAC and its activities, so as to ensure that information about the CDAC is being released in a clear, timely, consistent, and accurate way across all media platforms.

14 The CDAC has adopted the recommended best practices in key areas of governance that are closely aligned to the principles enunciated in the Code of Governance for Charities and Institutions of a Public Character. The CDAC’s Governance Evaluation Checklist can be found at the Charity Portal website www.charities.gov.sg.

CDAC Centres

CDAC@ Ang Mo Kio

Blk 201 Ang Mo Kio Ave 3 #01-1648 S560201

CDAC@ Bedok

Blk 138 Bedok North St 2 #01-185 S460138

4541

7994

CDAC@ Bukit Panjang 6465 4411

Blk 270 Bangkit Road #01-22 S670270

CDAC@ Jurong

Blk 421 Jurong West St 42 #01-1045 S640421

CDAC@ Punggol

Blk 512 Hougang Ave 10 #01-67 S530512

CDAC@ Redhill

Blk 83 Redhill Lane #01-85 S150083

CDAC@ Sengkang

Blk 321B Anchorvale Drive #01-196 S542321

CDAC@ Tampines

Blk 158 Tampines St 12 #01-77 S521158

CDAC@ Tanjong Katong

65 Tanjong Katong Road, S436957

CDAC@ Toa Payoh

381 Lor 1 Toa Payoh L2 OnePeople.sg Building S319758

CDAC@ Woodlands

Blk 680 Woodlands Ave 6 #01-764 S730680

CDAC@ Yew Tee

Blk 627 Choa Chu Kang St 62 #01-160 S680627

Self-Help Groups Centre

Vibrance @ Yishun

Blk 145 Yishun St 11 #01-41 S760145

Enquiry Hotlines

3573

5455

6567

5329

4649

4889

8339

0992

3302

7760

www.cdac.org.sg

www.facebook.com/CDACsg

@cdac_sg

@cdac_sg

 enquiry@cdac.org.sg

CDAC Building 65 Tanjong Katong Road S436957

Monday - Thursday: 8:30am - 6pm Friday: 8:30am - 5:30pm

CDAC Song

A little from all

Music by Lim Sau Hoong

Lyrics by Edwin Chan & Lim Sau Hoong

Reach out a helping hand

Let’s all do what we can

When troubles fall we stand tall When storms come we heed the call

Reach out a helping hand

Let’s all do what we can

With all our heart and soul

We make this family whole

Chorus

Bit by bit from all

Together we have more

Hand in hand we stand Together we all can

We all can

Scan the QR code to learn the CDAC Song