SINDA Connections | February 2022

SEAL OF EXCELLENCE

MCI (P) 089/09/2021

SINDA CONNECTIONS

FEBRUARY 2022

04

Helping Families Rebuild Bonds

08

30 Years of Excellence

10

Project Give Impacts More Lives

CEO’S MESSAGE Dear Friends of SINDA, As we welcome 2022, I hope that all of you are doing well and are looking forward to a year of new hope and new beginnings.

In this challenging Covid-19 climate, we at SINDA have been working to ensure that people are looked after and have the right resources and means. Our continued priority has been to ensure that our students and families thrive. To this end, we have enhanced our financial assistance schemes and Covid-19 support, and expanded our reach to more brothers and sisters within our community.

While safe management measures may have limited physical interaction, the work of engaging and serving our community has carried on in earnest, virtually or in small group settings. It has been very heartening for us to be able to continue such meaningful engagements and bring benefits and smiles to thousands of individuals, both young and old.

Such well-spent efforts are also made in close collaboration with our ecosystem of friends, partners, donors and volunteers, all of whom contribute in their own ways. Among such supporters is nine-year-old Tharshanee Gopinath [pictured above], whom I met at one of my regular ground engagements. Tharshanee is a remarkable young girl who has been volunteering with SINDA since the tender age of five. Inspired by her mother’s volunteer work with us, she has been especially active in SINDA’s Project Give campaign, visiting and distributing vouchers to in-need homes during the festive season – no easy task at all!

Tharshanee may be a young girl but her passion and genuineness in helping others speaks volumes to me. She has shared with me that in pulling together with her fellow volunteers, she feels a strong sense of belonging to the Indian community.

What a very inspiring statement that all of us can learn from! I’m heartened that Tharshanee and countless others have joined us in our mission, and their passionate involvement certainly encourages us in our journey.

You will read in this issue about the many milestones that we achieved in 2021, in service to the community. These are only some of many accomplishments last year and we will build upon these to bring even more impactful initiatives to the community in 2022. Do stay tuned for more of what I hope will benefit you.

As we begin the year, I’m grateful for each one’s presence as we work collectively to provide our students, youths and families with opportunities to succeed in life. Let us keep working towards being a community of progress.

My best wishes to each one for a fruitful year ahead!

Anbarasu Rajendran CEO, SINDA

CONTENTS

08-14 | Post Event 30 Years of Excellence

01 | Looking Back 02-03 | SINDA Assistance for

Every Instance 04 | Helping Families Rebuild Bonds 05-07 | Feature Interview Seal of Execellence

Triple Boost BTSF

16 | Quiz-O-Mania 17 | One of Us

Project Give Impacts More Lives Empowering Young Women Cultivating Community Champions at ITE SINDA Youth Awards 2021 Programmes for Preschoolers, Tweens and Parents

PUBLISHER Singapore Indian Development Association EDITORIAL TEAM Corporate & Marketing Communications Division Chief Editor Ravindran Nagalingam, COO, SINDA Deputy Editor Dhanasegaran Narayanasamy Production Editors Manesh Rangarajan, Nathiyaah Sakthimogan DESIGN & LAYOUT Green House Design + Communications PRINTER HoBee Print Pte Ltd , Licence No: L001/09/2021 TO SUBSCRIBE to SINDA Connections or inform us of a change of mailing address, send your updated home or office address to connections@sinda.org.sg.

TO CONTRIBUTE towards the SINDA Fund (to start contributing or increase contributions), please contact us at 1800 295 3333, or visit www.sinda.org.sg.

| Highlights

Looking Back

Joint Tuition Awards 2021 169 students did SINDA proud at the 18th Joint Tuition Awards (JTA) Ceremony on 28 August, winning accolades for their academic achievements at the PSLE, N(A)-Level and O-Level examinations. They were among 630 being recognised under the Collaborative Tuition Programme (CTP) run by the four Self-Help Groups. The CTP offers affordable, accessible tuition to more than 9,100 students at 123 centres islandwide.

Minister for Education Mr Chan Chun Sing awarded the Best Overall Academic Awards to each of the Self-Help Group winners at the School of the Arts that day. Among the recipients was Sameer Ahamed S/O Sadiq Batcha (pictured 2nd from the left), who impressed with his five-grade jump in A-Maths. Sameer, who enjoyed the conducive study environment of the Sengkang Secondary School STEP Centre, attributes his astounding progress to his tutors!

Bowling with Dads

Dishing Out Meals and Assistance

20 dads and their kids had a ball on 21 September, bowling and bonding at the HomeTeam NS Yishun Bowling Alley.

Having to pair up was perfect as part of the Father-Child Affirmation activities, boosting their ‘Best Buddy’ status and strengthening their relationship. This treat came courtesy of the Centre for Fathering together with SINDA.

An offer of help is often more warmly received when it comes together with a warm meal. In September, SINDA volunteers joined in the Marymount and Tampines IAECs’ monthly meal distribution, sharing information about our programmes and services as they gave out the food. Many of the residents visited were new referrals to SINDA. In 2021, a total of 156 homes across seven new precincts were engaged through these door-knocking exercises.

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SINDA ASSISTANCE FOR EVERY INSTANCE Holistic Help Even as it delivers timely and appropriate relief, the SFSC encourages the resilience and self-sufficiency of its beneficiaries. To this end, it hosts programmes that help build an arsenal of knowledge, resources and support for the long run; in addition, SINDA’s other divisions run complementary intervention programmes.

Feeling desolate after life took a traumatic turn, Majida (not her real name) knew she needed help. Her husband had passed away suddenly, leaving her with an overwhelming grief, along with the responsibility of caring for her three young children and mother-in-law. Instinctively, Majida turned to SINDA.

Majida, for one, has found hearing from other women in the Women Empowerment Programme, who are fighting their own battles, inspiring. The revitalised 41-year-old is determined to persevere in rebuilding family life, and to overcome any adversity that comes her way.

She is today the embodiment of pluck. Majida says, “Without the help of SINDA, I am not sure if I would be in the position I am in now — confident of looking after my family. My children and I look forward to enrolling in more SINDA programmes and learning more!”

Swift on the Scene

Evolving to Serve the Community Better

The SINDA Family Service Centre (SFSC) has been a practical and welcome presence in the community. A one-stop bureau serving the disadvantaged, it is known for opening impactful avenues of support and resources to those in distress. These efforts by SFSC is to help individuals and more importantly, it is about putting focus on the children in our families, and identifying what more can be done to ensure that their lives and aspirations are not interrupted.

SINDA Family Division and SINDA Family Service Centre merged in 2022 to provide a coordinated and seamless service as the Family Development Division.

The reorganisation means Indian families have access to a holistic range of services, from preventive and developmental, to remedial. Intervention and support will be at hand for families at risk; at the same time, the unified Division works to ensure other vulnerable families do not slip through the cracks.

In Majida’s case, the SFSC’s experienced and professionally trained social workers provided the compassionate guidance that she needed, and helped her to process her emotions.

At the same time, they initiated financial aid for the family — Majida’s challenging situation in the midst of a challenging pandemic qualified them for both the Resilience Package and the SINDA Care Package, taking care of their groceries and daily necessities. The children were also provided for by the SINDA Bursary.

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HOLISTIC AID FOR ALL SINDA gives a lift to everyone who needs one. Have a look at how we can help:

An Edge in Education

Beyond SINDA’s tutorial programmes, get holistic assistance through these education support schemes catering to students of all ages:

• • • •

SINDA Pre-school Bursary • Scholarships, offered by educational SINDA Bursary institutions and donors through SINDA SINDA-SIET Tertiary Bursary Loan of digital devices The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund • Internet connectivity and PC ownership plans

For Families

Information & Referral

Legal Clinic

Casework & Counselling

Transport Voucher Scheme

Facing financial, marital or parenting problems?

Our trained social work practitioners at the Family Service Centre offer guidance for overcoming family and interpersonal issues.

Get free legal advice from lawyers from accredited law firms. Understand legal procedures and find out what support systems you can tap on.

Cope better with life’s challenges with help for personal, social and emotional difficulties.

Medical appointments are more accessible — SINDA offers eligible individuals transport vouchers to get to a medical facility conveniently.

Serving Seniors

Senior Daycare Subsidy

Elderly Befriending Programme

Receive up to $500 per month in fee subsidies for eligible seniors at daycare centres.

No fear of growing old alone, as SINDA matches befrienders to those living in social isolation.

Senior Milk & Diaper Assistance

Basic needs like nutrition and hygiene get a boost, with SINDA providing up to $120 worth of milk and diapers.

Get in touch to find out more by contacting our hotline at 1800 295 3333 or visiting www.sinda.org.sg/assistance/

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| Programme & Events

HELPING Families Rebuild Bonds At the same time, SINDA extends holistic support to the families — the children and their caregivers. Our many programmes are open to them, from children’s activities to academic aid, family bonding events to financial support; we do what we can to engage and encourage them. We have seen how these children have built resilience, how they better understand their mothers and are able to interact more warmly with them.

Among the key efforts was a collaboration in 2021 with the Singapore Prison Service and the Centre for Fathering, for a Children’s Day project. Incarcerated parents created personal gifts for their children to show them how special they are, and these were hand-delivered together with other goodies from SINDA as a surprise.

As soon as Meena (not her real name) steps into her house after work these days, her child runs over, eagerly requesting a story to be read. It’s a daily scenario she believes would not be playing out if not for SINDA’s help.

Meena is an ex-offender, and family life was not always this happy. Having come through SINDA’s Prison Reintegration Programme, however, Meena feels as confident and optimistic about their future as can be. Thanking SINDA “for being there throughout my journey”, she shares, “I feel SINDA has gone the extra mile to help me.”

“This programme is not only about giving incarcerated mothers a better chance of reintegrating with society but more so, with their families. The pain and suffering of the mothers and of their loved ones are real and SINDA is happy we are able to play a small role in healing them and bringing them closer."

Since 2020, SINDA has been running the programme at Institution A4 (previously known as Changi Women’s Prison), and it was expanded last year. The continued-intervention scheme for incarcerated mothers aims to help them reconcile with their families by providing them with effective parenting skills.

Mr Anbarasu Rajendran, CEO, SINDA

Trainers impart a variety of skills that not only equip the women to cope but also prepare them for successful family reintegration. Through a series of talks, they motivate the mothers to become better role models, and empower them to live up to their commitment to parenthood. Ramesh Muthusamy, a trainer in the programme, calls one of these sessions "the most meaningful talk of my entire 20-year career as facilitator and speaker"

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| Feature Interview

SEAL OF EXCELLENCE In 2021, the SINDA Excellence Awards, or SEA, saw more winners than ever before. We introduce three of these outstanding young recipients as they tell what puts the wind in their sails.

Dhaatchayani Balamurugan

What or who helped you overcome your challenges?

That one person who has contributed to my success and helped me most is my eldest sister. She is the toughest woman I know, and I admire everything about her. When I got a place in polytechnic, my sister was a year ahead in the same course. Every semester she would be on the Director’s List; she was once top of the cohort for research. I was in healthy competition with her, but she always believed both of us would succeed together.

is a 25-year-old student nurse from the National University of Singapore.

What was your academic journey like?

I have come a very long way from being a student who flopped her N-Levels! I was not a bright student compared to my two sisters — I was the only one in the family to do N-Levels or to go to ITE. I even had to appeal twice to take my Nitec in Nursing as my points were not enough.

Your plans for the future include…

Continuing to work in the emergency department and completing my Advanced Diploma in Critical Care. This will allow me to become a clinical instructor in the future.

I felt I was a disappointment to my parents and felt judged by other people. The social stigma made me feel disappointed in myself. But I believe ITE is a stepping stone and a second chance; I hope one day this discrimination against ITE students will stop.

How does it feel to receive receive the SINDA Excellence Award?

I’m honoured. I feel validated and it boosts my confidence.

Acknowledgement and recognition are vital human needs and I would like to thank SINDA for recognising students’ hard work and encouraging us to do better.

My first milestone of success was at the age of 19, when I achieved a perfect GPA of 4.0. I wanted to further my education at a polytechnic but first served my bond with a medical institution as an Enrolled Nurse in the emergency department, for three years.

What advice can you give to students who doubt themselves?

When I eventually started my Diploma in Health Sciences (Nursing) at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, I found the going tough.

Research and assignments were something new to me, and I was competing with students from Junior Colleges and O-Levels. However, my hard work paid off and I graduated with Merit and am now an undergraduate pursuing a Bachelor of Science (Nursing) at the National University of Singapore (NUS)

Don’t let any social stigma bring you down. Some people take a longer route and it’s totally okay — every individual is unique.

I always believe that it doesn’t matter how long it takes to achieve the goal; at the end of the day, if you achieve it that’s all that matters.

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| Feature Interview

Edward Dassan S/O Rajanderan 26, is now a Manufacturing Engineer at Micron Semiconductor Asia after graduating from the Singapore Institute of Technology.

What was your academic journey like?

What other support did you draw on while at SIT?

As a student, I spent my weekends working and my weekdays catching up for lost time, to keep up with the syllabus. Mine is a single-parent family and I did not want to rely on my mother and older brothers for financial support.

Despite the hectic schedule, I felt more productive in school as I understood the urgency and importance of studying hard and studying smart. I took up leadership roles and was awarded with the SIT Mid-term Scholarship. This not only reduced my financial burden, but also groomed me to be who I am today.

During my three years there, I related very closely to this African proverb: If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. I was with a group of eight peers and we studied and worked on projects together every trimester. We each had our own strengths and weaknesses, but we made sure we progressed at the same pace — we did not leave anyone behind when one of us was stuck. We may have taken longer to progress but our foundation and understanding of the modules were strong.

How does it feel to receive the SINDA Excellence Award?

How crucial has family support been in your achievements?

I feel very proud and appreciative to be receiving this award — it is also a form of recognition for my support system, my family. Without them, this would not be possible. I am motivated to continue having a positive mindset and to do my best in whatever I do.

My brothers have always been there to motivate and guide me, especially at times when I felt overwhelmed trying to balance my responsibilities. When I was young, they were father-figures whom I looked up to — they were independent, determined and disciplined, and excelled in both their academics and careers. They paved the way. They are my inspiration to work hard to achieve my goals, and I will be forever grateful.

What advice can you give to fellow youths who similarly have to juggle various responsibilities?

My personal motto is “Always plan ahead”. Having a personal time-table for visibility on tasks, deadlines and important days helps a lot towards managing time well. Whenever it gets tough, remember why you are working so hard: for your loved ones and those who support you.

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You co-founded Young Sustainable Impact Southeast Asia (YSI SEA) in 2017, and later, Interseed, while still an Engineering undergraduate. Tell us about them.

What have been the challenges and the rewards of this endeavour?

Our first year of setting up and running YSI SEA was extremely challenging. We were determined to make our programme fully-funded, as we did not want anyone’s socioeconomic background to stop them from tackling problems they were passionate about. It proved really difficult to raise funds — we faced over 50 rejections from companies we approached — but then we managed to acquire grants from the National Youth Council and raised enough through crowdfunding and through the support of incredible mentors who believe in our work.

YSI SEA brings Southeast Asian youth together to innovate for sustainable development. We are a regional movement allied to YSI headquartered in Oslo, but run independently of them. I co-founded YSI SEA when I realised there are so many other youths who want to solve sustainability issues they see in their communities, issues unique to Southeast Asia.

We have, to date, conducted three sustainability incubation programmes, incubated 27 start-ups and empowered more than 75 entrepreneurs. These are still making a difference in their communities.

At our first Demo Day in 2018, I watched our teams pitching with conviction to a crowd of over 70 investors. There were close to 400 public attendees and over 20 sustainability partners there, as well as Minister Desmond Lee as Guestof-Honour. It was a proud moment, one that almost made me tear up.

In initiating app.interseed.co, we reached more like-minded founders and talents across the region. The platform encourages collaborations and builds the capacity of the sustainability ecosystem from the ground up.

Forming this community of passionate individuals is also very rewarding in itself. None of this would have been possible without the team.

What interested you in sustainability and inspired your action?

How does it feel to receive the SINDA Excellence Award?

In my early years growing up, I experienced challenges with basic necessities, and this shaped my passion to make basic resources like energy and water accessible to all. It helped me understand how important they are, and gave me perspective — I am able to empathise with those in such circumstances, and with environmental issues around me.

I am deeply honoured. It felt like the community was patting me on my shoulder and encouraging me to continue in my pursuits.

What advice do you have for those who are exploring the sustainability sector?

Around 2015, I also realised that there were very few people incubating and building sustainability solutions, so I felt this was something that could be addressed.

Sustainability can be a daunting and confusing topic, but don’t be intimidated. You can start by volunteering, attending events, engaging in projects or networking with like-minded people. As you meet talented individuals from all walks of life, you will build up the technical, business or societal know-how to drive Green Innovation.

Sai Surya Yarlagadda SINDA Excellence Awards 2021 Valedictorian, 26, is a Strategy Consultant at Monitor Deloitte.

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| Programmes & Events

of Excellence

It has been 30 years since the SINDA Excellence Awards began, and there was no better way to mark the anniversary than with the largest-ever cohort of 749 award recipients. On 11 September, these top-achieving Indian students across the academic, arts and sports fields gathered in a hybrid online-in-person event, hosted at the Civil Service Club @Tessensohn.

That a record number of awards was being given out underlines the progress of the community — a positive trend also reflected in the Census of Population 2020, which shows 67.4% of all Singaporean Indians hold a post-secondary qualification. Still, there is always room to grow, especially in supporting students from less-advantaged backgrounds in their ambitions. In this, SINDA’s range of programmes complements the government’s efforts to provide all youths equal access to quality holistic education and development programmes.

Celebrating the diversity of talent in the 19 award categories, SINDA President Ms Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office & Second Minister for Finance and National Development, paid tribute to the youths’ spirit of excellence and perseverence over an “incredibly challenging” past two years.

Indeed, among the prize-winners, close to a hundred had previously benefitted from various SINDA initiatives.

Applauding their exceptional achievements, CEO Mr Anbarasu Rajendran said, “All of them have worked hard, risen above their struggles and circumstances, to become top-achievers. We at SINDA are happy to have inspired them in their journeys, offering them optimal, effective support and encouraging them on their paths towards success.”

Also offering warm congratulations at the ceremony were Guest-of-Honour Mr Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth & Second Minister for Law, and Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Chairman, SINDA Board of Trustees. Noting the efforts of students who had risen above circumstances to reach for their goals, Mr Tong also emphasised that it “takes a collective effort to look after one another”. He then encouraged the youths to take a stake in Singapore’s future by giving back to society.

Bravo, from all of us!

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Triple boost BTSF For the annual Back To School Festival (BTSF) 2021, SINDA not only boosted the value of the school kits distributed, we also boosted the number of recipients, leading to — you guessed it — a boost in confidence for kids returning to school and cheer for their families.

This round, BTSF Kits contained $200 worth of POPULAR Bookstore and Bata Vouchers - an increase from $180 from previous years for challenging times, as families recover from the financial impact of the pandemic.

At the launch of BTSF 2021 on 13 November, SINDA President, Minister Indranee Rajah shared that the organisation is pleased that it was able to extend the scheme’s reach beyond the usual 20% of households that make up the lowest-income group.

Many welcomed the move. Mdm Nisa (not her real name), the primary caregiver to her grandchildren, shares, “These vouchers are definitely great news to me. I was worried about how I would be able to purchase stationery and school books for my grandchildren, but SINDA’s BTSF kits have eased all of those concerns.”

Ms Indranee explained how a strong collaborative approach enabled the right target group to be reached, for example, through schools, which identified students on financial assistance schemes. In addition, Family Service Centres, HEB-Ashram, Singapore Indian Education Trust, Chinese Development Assistance Council, Yayasan MENDAKI and the Eurasian Association partnered in the effort, with the assistance of the Ministry of Education and the UPLIFT programme.

Mdm Nisa’s grandchildren are among 4,200 students in low-income families eligible for the kits. It is the largest distribution since the BTSF’s inception in 2008, enfolding students from K2 to post-secondary levels. The 20% increase in recipients stems mainly from 700-plus families previously not within SINDA’s fold — some of them, pre-COVID times, may not have needed help.

But the BTSF is not just about the provision of vouchers, as Mdm V. Balakrishna, Principal at Fernvale Primary School reminds us: “Lighting up children’s faces and getting them excited for their next school year is what matters most.”

We wish our BTSF recipients the very best in their new school year!

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| Programmes Post Event & Events

Project Give Impacts more lives At the heart of our community efforts is Project Give, the fund-raising drive that is now 20 years old. Stimulating awareness of community needs and initiatives, it encourages both the act of giving and the building of community bonds.

Project Give courses throughout the year but the beat quickens during the year-end festive season. The month-long flagship campaign culminates at Deepavali, and while in 2021 our Campbell Lane booth did not make its usual appearance because of pandemic precautions, the campagin still shone as brightly as the annual street light-up in Little India.

Donor Cheque Presentation Ceremony The start of Project Give was marked on 15 October by a simple online ceremony to “celebrate the gracious hearts of our donors and well-wishers”, as Mr Anbarasu Rajendran, CEO, SINDA, described it.

He told how every donor has their own inspirational story to share, which propels them to donate. Yet, these organisations and individuals also share a common vision for Singapore, bringing all children and families, regardless of race or religion, under their wing.

And despite the pandemic affecting the finances of everyone, our partner organisations and donors have not stinted in their support.

Thanking every donor on behalf of the beneficiaries, Minister Indranee Rajah, SINDA President, assured them that SINDA will continue to keep up efforts to serve the community, working with all partners to improve the lives of those we serve.

This year, Project GIVE received

$170,000 in donations and pledges from individuals, corporates and community organisations.

The collective spirit of giving, Minister Indranee said, shows commitment towards the greater good, ownership that affirms the community and graciousness towards those in need. It strengthens the SG Together spirit, Minister Indranee added, especially as we work hard to exit from COVID-19.

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Gift-Giving and Engaging Golden-Agers Once more, Celebrate! Festive Gift Packs — which are distributed at Hari Raya Puasa, Deepavali and Christmas — made their way across the island, bringing cheer to homes all around Singapore.

As happy as the recipients was the army of volunteers which, along with 39 partner organisations, marched out over two days to deliver the festive favours. Sponsored by the Hope Alliance Initiative, Central Narcotics Bureau, Singapore Jain Religious Society and the Health Promotion Board, 10 items filled each pack, from $120 worth of grocery vouchers to festive goodies and healthy snacks.

Gladly accepting the gifts were some 1,900 disadvantaged beneficiaries and families, numbering 20 per cent more than in 2020. As the pandemic drags on, we do what we can to lift spirits!

Vulnerable seniors living alone were not left out of the seasonal warmth. Under SINDA’s Caring for Seniors initiative these seniors received an added focus, with volunteers reaching out to support their emotional and mental well-being. Our volunteers were met with pleasure, and the seniors had words of wisdom to share in exchange.

Such conviviality was certainly something to celebrate!

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| Programmes & Events

EMPOWERING YOUNG WOMEN

Singapore’s Ministry of Social and Family Development dedicated 2021 as the Year of Celebrating SG Women, and SINDA has wholeheartedly joined in the campaign to cultivate a more inclusive society. Over the months of September and October, in particular, SINDA Youth Division ran a series of empowerment programmes for young women, featuring female volunteers, activists and women-centric organisations.

Kicking off with the SINDA Football Club (SFC) One part of this series engaged 21 members of the SFC at the launch of the girls’ competitive futsal team. The in-person session, facilitated under safe management measures by SINDA Youth Club (SYC) representatives, saw media celebrities joining the girls at the Lifelong Learning Institute on 4 September.

“It was inspiring when they shared how they overcame certain issues that they faced,” attendee Fadhzlin later related. It proved to be a welcome chance to air topics rarely discussed, she added.

ITEnable empowers Another programme in the series was a series of ITEnable Women Empowerment workshops for full-time female Indian ITE students. Conducted by gender equality advocacy group AWARE, the four hybrid-format workshops taught the youths about making informed and responsible choices about their lives. The 26 participants learnt about gender equality and valuing women and men as individuals. Other topics covered cyber-bullying, sexual assault and sexual violence — the students learnt to spot warning signs in unhealthy relationships and also how to set appropriate boundaries and to protect themselves.

GAME Girls An exploration of matters challenging the modern-day young woman was held for 21 participants of the Guidance and Mentorship (GAME) programme, The 13- to 25-yearolds took part in four weekly sessions in a hybrid online-inperson format, forging friendships and having fun as the programme progressed.

Helping the girls understand prevalent issues in today’s world were four female guests from male-dominated industries — a paramedic with the Singapore Civil Defence Force, a Singapore Armed Forces officer, an officer from the Central Narcotics Bureau and a construction industry professional.

The girls came away with not just better understanding but also strategies and new confidence to face the future.

“The sessions helped us develop foresight and offered tips on becoming mentally strong, level-headed, healthy women,” a participant shared. “I’m encouraged to pursue my dreams without feeling afraid of stereotypes in society,” she declared.

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Cultivating Community Champions at ITE To champion a cause effectively takes a special set of leadership skills, as a group of ITE students discovered first-hand. Eleven of them successfully completed the 2021 instalment of SINDA’s ITE Leadership Programme (ITELP), and had the honour of presenting their projects to Mr Desmond Lee, Minister for National Development & Minister-in-charge of Social Services Integration, at their graduation ceremony on 19 December.

The commemoration marked the culmination of 16 weeks’ of workshops, learning journeys, charitable activities and a physical camp.

In addition, they found time to procure and deliver care packages for bus drivers, delivery riders and cleaners, as part of the course’s Acts of Kindness element.

The youths identified and carried out research on three worthy social causes while collaborating with strategic organisations. These projects covered mental health (with Silver Ribbon), special needs caregiver burnout (with 21 Extra Goodness & Native Cocoon), and drug resistance (with the Central Narcotics Bureau).

The ITELP is now in its 7th iteration. This flagship programme of the SINDA Youth Club has long proved it has traction — past participants have enthusiastically signed up to be trained as facilitators, and have been mentoring subsequent groups.

SINDA Youth Awards 2021 Another year has passed, and another cohort of remarkable young people has impressed us! The 60 winners of the SINDA Youth Awards 2021 simply shone in character development, leadership, commitment and for just giving their outstanding best in SINDA’s 2021 youth programmes.

At the Awards ceremony on 20 November, SINDA CEO Mr Anbarasu Rajendran praised their spirit; he also hailed 15-year-old Jivantikka Muthukumar (pictured here).

The GAME Emcee alumnus, Mr Anbarasu revealed, had been shy and afraid to speak up, having no experience in public speaking. Yet there she was, having blossomed into a confident young lady, flawlessly hosting the day’s event! To Jivantikka and her peers, Mr Anbarasu pledged SINDA’s continued help and support so that they can keep progressing.

None of this was easy against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, but what we saw in each youth was resilience and a determination to succeed.

Engineering undergraduate Ameerul Ashiq shared that it was just such support from SINDA that gave him his headstart in his career, from financial support to programmes such as Mentor Me. His story was reiterated

by Guest-of-Honour Mr Shekaran Krishnan, Vice-President of the SINDA Executive Committee, who noted the youth’s personal growth and desire to excel.

In his speech to the award winners, Mr Shekaran encouraged them to have the mental fortitude to pick up and do better even when encountering setbacks or stumbling. Success and excellence “do not come easy”, he reminded them, but a strong belief in themselves and their abilities would help them overcome any challenge.

“This is also about having the right, positive mindset; and with it comes your ability to handle challenging situations and turn them to be advantageous. If you can do so, you will shine and become great role models in the community.”

Mr Shekaran Krishnan Vice-President, SINDA Executive Committee

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| Programmes & Events

Programmes for Preschoolers, Tweens and Parents

The past year’s pandemic restrictions meant that many of Singapore’s usual activities were on hiatus.

Not so for SINDA’s parenting and children’s workshops, though! Throughout 2021, we continued to work with families on digital platforms, engaging both parents and their children with interesting and instructive programmes. Here’s a look at some of them.

Language and Literacy through Songs, Movement and Stories When lively songs and stories are involved, you are bound to have a good time.

Parents of four- to six-year-olds enjoyed this interactive online workshop highlighting the vital role of reading, storytelling and music as children grow up.

“Extremely fun and beneficial workshop!” participant Mrs Lakshmi enthused.

“I learnt how to engage my child in a creative way at home, using music, stories and play to develop his literacy skills.”

Secondary 1 Starters Parents of 11- and 12-year-olds got practical tips on easing their children’s transition to secondary school in this session. The timely programme also helped parents understand their tweens as they move into adolescence, giving them strategies to manage the changes and to provide their children with emotional support.

Tamil Comic Workshop Post-PSLE, Primary 6-ers had something to look forward to in this absorbing workshop. 10 children at each session learnt the basics of creating a comic panel, including the nuances in drawing characters and the art of visual storytelling. The kids even got to illustrate and pitch their own concept for a one-page comic strip, presenting their efforts during the virtual session.

SINDA Digital Day 45 kids aged 10 to 12 worked hard to beat the clock in SINDA’s Digital Day Coding Competition. Their task: to harness their coding skills and robotics experience to create an exciting, meaningful project, using the mBlock platform. It was a good showcase of mastery, originality and presentation skills, featuring themes from sports to renewable energy.

At the same time, their parents attended a talk on the impact of digital exposure. Many appreciated the useful advice offered. As participant Anil Kumar noted, “As parents, we must monitor our kids closely and guide them in the proper way to utilise gadgets and technology for good.”

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Quiz-O-Mania

Read this issue through? Then circle the answers to the questions below, fill up the form and send it in to SINDA Connections Contest, c/o SINDA Corporate & Marketing Communications Division, No 1 Beatty Road, Singapore 209943 by March 31 2022. Three correct entries will win $50 worth of vouchers each.This contest is open only to primary and secondary school students, who are Singaporeans or Permanent Residents.

Winning correct entries will be picked in a draw and the judges’ decision is final.

Name:

IC/BC No: SXXXX (Please fill in the last four alphanumeric details)

School:

School Level:

Contact No.: Email:

Address: Select one answer for each question: Question 1 How many students were recognised at the SINDA Excellence Awards 2021? a) 749 b) 630 c) 753

(You can find the answers in the articles in this magazine.)

Question 2 What did participants learn from the GAME Girls session that happened as part of the Youth Division's series of Women empowerment programmes? a) About making responsible choices about their lives b) Understand prevalent issues in today’s world c) Identify warning signs in unhealthy relationships

Question 3 What does Karthikasan Natarajan aspire to become after his studies? a) Engineer b) Doctor c) Clinician-Scientist

Congratulations to the winners of the previous contest!

1) Sarah Amesha Binte Mohd Abidin Madrasah Al-Arabiah Al-Islamiah

VISION To build a strong and vibrant Singaporean Indian community together MISSION To build a well-educated, resilient and confident community of Indians that stands together with the other communities in contributing to the progress of multi-racial Singapore VALUES Respect, our culture Integrity, our foundation Service, our promise Excellence, our pursuit

2) Ruban S/O Thevanthiran De La Salle School

3) Anish Raguram Woodlands Ring Primary School

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Patron Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong Chairman Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam Life Trustees Prof S Jayakumar Mr S Dhanabalan Mr S Chandra Das Mr J Y Pillay Mr Sat Pal Khattar Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam Mr K Shanmugam Dr N Varaprasad

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Term Trustees Ms Indranee Rajah Mr Ravi Menon Mr Girija Pande Mr Gautam Banerjee Justice Judith Prakash Mr K Kesavapany Mr Shabbir Hassanbhai Mr Timothy Chia Mr Piyush Gupta Dr Sudha Nair Mr Harjit Singh Bhatia Mr K V Rao Advisors Dr Vivian Balakrishnan Mr S Iswaran Mr Vikram Nair

President Ms Indranee Rajah Vice Presidents Mr Shekaran Krishnan Mr Sarjit Singh Secretary Mr Siraj Omar Treasurer Mr G Arull Members Mr Murali Pillai Mr K Ramamoorthy Mrs Rathi Parimalan Mr Mohamed Nasim Ms Carmelia Nathen Prof Vineeta Sinha Mr R Raghunathan Ms Praveen Randhawa

| One of Us

Karthikasan Natarajan - SINDA Volunteer

Karthikasan Natarajan reckons becoming a volunteer with SINDA was an obvious step. Having been a recipient of SINDA’s assistance programmes since his primary school days, the 25-year-old Yale-NUS College undergraduate is happy to now make a difference in the lives of others.

Coming from a low-income household, Karthikasan has always required financial aid as he inched his way through the education system in pursuit of his dreams.

The paid-for school fees — from primary school to university — were only one part of the help the youth received. SINDA’s Back-to-School Kits also allowed him to purchase needed textbooks and supplies without adding to his parents’ burden. The schoolboy would always be ready for school without worries.

Karthikasan remembers attending STEP tuition classes fondly too. The two hours in the evenings, he says, not only offered academic support, but the tutors’ moral support was something he will never forget (“and of course,” he quips, “the refreshments!”)

These days, Karthikasan is confident of his strong academic footing and aspires to become a clinician-scientist developing meaningful innovations in patient care. In the meantime, he has been busy as a SINDA Volunteer Leader.

Just as he was helped by the community, he is ready to give back. Since 2019, Karthikasan has engaged in various SINDA volunteer programmes, where he finds opportunities to contribute. He has also started his own initiative, The Cranium, in which he identifies hazardous areas in Singapore and helps to mitigate the risks posed.

And even as he pitches in, he is still reaping rewards — Karthikasan has found his perspective broadened, and his interpersonal and leadership abilities honed.

Volunteering has helped him mature as a well-rounded person, he declares.

He says, “SINDA has shown me that with a little help and push, one can truly achieve one’s ambitions.”

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IN HIS WORDS Karthikasan:

“Never lose hope. Every failure brings you closer to success. As for those wanting to volunteer, I applaud you for taking the first step. Don’t worry about feeling out of your comfort zone. Nothing grows in a comfort zone! But through giving back to the community, you learn more about life and yourself.”