MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER SINDA ANNUAL REPORT 2015
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
THRUSTS Education Maximising educational opportunities for all students Youth Inspiring youths towards greater achievements Family Engaging parents to play an active role in their children’s lives Community Forging a stronger relationship with community partners
SINDA ANNUAL REPORT 2015
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Patron
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong
Chairman, Board of Trustees
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
Term Trustees
Mr Inderjit Singh Ms Indranee Rajah Mr M Rajaram Mr V Shankar Mr Ravi Menon Mr R Jayachandran Mr Girija Pande Mr Gautam Banerjee Mr Ravinder Singh Justice Judith Prakash Mr K Kesavapany
Advisors
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan Mr S Iswaran Mr Hri Kumar Nair Mr Vikram Nair
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President
Ms Indranee Rajah
Vice Presidents
Mr Viswa Sadasivan Mr Shabbir Hassanbhai
Secretary
Mr Sarjit Singh
Treasurer
Mr Shekaran Krishnan
Members
Mr V P Jothi Mr R Rajaram Mr Puvan Ariaratnam Mr R Subramaniam Iyer Dr Joshua V M Kuma Mr K V Rao Mr Raja Mohamad Maiden Mr R Chandra Mohan Mr K Ramamoorthy Mr Sarbjit Singh
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MAXIMISING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL STUDENTS SINDA Engaged
789
students in pre-school programmes
6,434 Students
3,774
STEP students
1,157
Project Teach students
133
students in intensive coaching programmes and other tutorials
167
students in post-secondary programmes and tertiary award schemes
414
top-achieving students awarded for excellence in their respective fields
83
schools hosted SINDA programmes in their premises
INSPIRING YOUTHS TOWARDS GREATER ACHIEVEMENTS SINDA Empowered
688
in motivational and character development programmes
1,416 Youth
116
in study skills workshops
162
in holiday programmes
299 in leadership programmes
100
volunteers in Rainbow50 community outreach project
51
in fitness-based programmes
ENGAGING PARENTS TO PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THEIR CHILDREN’S LIVES SINDA Impacted
524 Families and 5,600 Individuals
F A M I LY D I V I S I O N
1,754
individuals engaged through family-related workshops
455
students attended motivational and enrichment programmes
242
family members participated in family-bonding activities
S I N D A F A M I LY S E R V I C E C E N T R E
1,102
clients benefited from information and referral services
524
families were engaged through casework
724 123
students received education-related financial assistance mothers and children involved in Project Athena
1,200
students received school kits for the new year
FORGING A STRONGER RELATIONSHIP WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS
COMMUNIT Y ENGAGEMENT
64
community organisations engaged by SINDA
35
organisations funded or supported by SINDA programmes
269
SINDA Liaison Officers and MOE teachers engaged
96
members in the Indian Business-leaders’ Roundtable (IBR)
1,109 volunteers
VOLUNTEERS
8,009
volunteer hours towards SINDA programmes and services
1,306
families benefited from volunteer-driven Celebrate! Project
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SINDA ANNUAL REPORT 2015
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Dear Friends of SINDA, SINDA’s mission is to uplift the Indian community. Our mission includes inspiring Indian students and helping them fulfil their aspirations, building strong families and giving hope to those most in need. We are committed to developing meaningful strategies that will make a positive difference to the lives of Singapore Indians. 2015 was a busy year for us. Our programmes have grown in breadth and depth. We have also increased the number of people served in the past year. Starting Right – SINDA’s Pre-school Initiatives Research shows that good early childhood education has a big impact on how a child performs and progresses later in life. It is important to get the foundation right, in order to help our young children be curious, happy and eager learners. Enrolment in our Literacy and Numeracy Programme (LYNN) for pre-schoolers had hitherto been low. In 2015, we re-thought our strategies and focused on better outreach. We revamped our outreach efforts, worked intensively with our partners on the ground, increased door-todoor efforts and spoke to families to convince them of the need to give their children a strong foundation in early childhood education.
As a result, we saw a marked improvement in enrolment in LYNN, from just 110 students in 2014 to almost 760 in 2015. This means an additional 650 pre-schoolers are being nurtured and prepared for formal schooling. We will continue our efforts in this regard and hope that others too will spread the word on the importance of good early childhood education. In line with MOE’s education policy, we are focusing on holistic education where academics, values, characterbuilding and skills are all part of a good, all-rounded education. We infused structured motivational elements into our tutorial classes and increased the use of e-learning in classrooms to make lessons more appealing and to better engage the students. As a result, we have found that our students enjoy their lessons more. This has translated into more regular class attendance. Enrolment in our STEP programme in 2015 was close to 3,800 students, almost 1,000 more than the previous year, an increase of 28%. Inspiring Youth The SINDA Youth Division has worked hard to introduce new initiatives to develop our teenagers and youth. The Positive Youth Development unit, which typically works with teenagers who require positive guidance, introduced leadership training and overseas learning journeys to its participants.
The SINDA Youth Club piloted a structured programme to groom ITE students and develop their critical thinking and leadership qualities. Indian Business-leaders Roundable (IBR), a division of SINDA, also launched a programme to mentor youth and provide them with career guidance and advice. This programme is in line with SkillsFuture, a national movement to help people realise their potential and through which everyone can progress through skills, irrespective of their starting point. We want our youth to become leaders and active contributors to an inclusive society. Supporting Families The Family Division and SINDA Family Service Centre continued their efforts to support and build resilient families, to better equip them to cope with the challenges modern families face. Engaging the Community The Community Engagement team piloted meetings at each of the five zonal districts, meeting with residents to understand their concerns and spreading the word on SINDA’s initiatives. We have also begun an outreach to low-income Indian families living in HDB rental blocks. This will enable us to identify Indian students who are most in need of our programmes, as well as to link up these families with agencies who are best placed to help them with any difficulties they may face.
SINDA ANNUAL REPORT 2015
Through the concerted efforts of the various units, SINDA impacted 18,326 individuals in 2015. However, numbers alone do not tell the whole story. In the Annual Report, you will encounter a few of the many individuals whose lives have been touched by SINDA and to whom we have brought smiles. These individuals give meaning to our work and their stories encourage all of us. We will work to reach out to help even more individuals. While we have made progress in 2015, we must continue to step up our efforts in 2016 – which also happens to be SINDA’s 25th anniversary. We will make targeted efforts to positively influence the lives of even more individuals. To this end, we will look for more creative ways to work in partnership with like-minded organisations, stakeholders and individuals to help the Indian community. I urge all to take the opportunity to work with us in partnership on this very important endeavour. Let us as a community help our students reach even greater heights.
Indranee Rajah President, Executive Committee SINDA
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SINDA ANNUAL REPORT 2015
INCOME AT A GLANCE 2015
2014
DONATION – SINDA FUND CONTRIBUTION
$13,225,015 $8,566,358
TUITION PROGRAMME FEES
$707,864 $627,531
DONATION SPONSORSHIPS
OTHER GOVERNMENT GRANTS
$3,862,057 $3,479,821
$2,954,895 $3,509,960 GOVERNMENT SUBVENTION GRANT
INTEREST / OTHER INCOME
$39,167 $46,857
$3,400,000 $3,400,000 CARE & SHARE FUNDING
$129,124 $870,876
NET INVESTMENT INCOME
$683,288 $49,031
TOTAL INCOME 2015
$25,001,410 TOTAL INCOME 2014
$20,550,434
EXPENDITURE AT A GLANCE 2015
2014
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES
$9,730,324 $9,209,031 FAMILY SERVICES
$2,494,828 $2,953,099 YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES
$1,504,261 $1,475,312 PARENT/CHILDREN PROGRAMME
$1,264,990 $1,305,546
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT & DONOR ENGAGEMENT UNIT
$1,195,082 $1,310,679 PUBLICITY AND MARKETING EXPENSES
$354,946 $371,020 ADMINISTRATIVE & GOVERNANCE EXPENSES / FINANCE AND OTHER COSTS
$2,282,298 $2,633,866
TOTAL E XPENDITURE 2015
$18,826,729 TOTAL E XPENDITURE 2014
$19,258,553
MAXIMISING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL STUDENTS Addressing the academic needs of Indian students remains SINDA’s top priority. We believe in the infinite potential of every child and that this potential should not be hindered by family, social or economic circumstances. We want to see every student accorded the best possible resources for their academic journey so that they can be adequately prepared to seize every opportunity that comes their way as they navigate through life.
SINDA’s Education Division consists of five programme and support units that oversee every aspect of Indian students’ academic matters. These units critically examine and analyse the educational landscape and, with a view to levelling students up in their academic foundation, ensure a quality teaching pool and develop rigorous curricula that is complementary to the Ministry of Education’s efforts.
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SINDA ANNUAL REPORT 2015
PRE-SCHOOL PROGRAMMES Literacy & Numeracy
iLeap
Project Read
The Literacy and Numeracy programme provides pre-schoolers with a strong foundation in reading, writing and basic numeracy. Targeted at nursery, K1 and K2 children, the programme is conducted by trained facilitators over a period of six months.
iLeap helps smoothen the transition into primary school for 6-year-olds who have little or no pre-school education. The programme’s strengths lie in dedicated tutors who monitor each child’s progress and provide sustained academic support during the first few months of the child’s primary education. This sustained programme benefited 18 children in 2015.
Children who are enrolled in either the Literacy and Numeracy programme or iLeap and are in need of additional reading support are referred to the home-based Project Read programme. In these sessions, trained volunteers undertake weekly home visits to read to these children and ensure that they are ready for primary school. 14 children were enrolled in Project Read in 2015.
In 2015, the programme was conducted in 43 centres islandwide, more than double the number of centres in the previous year. 757 children were enrolled in the programme, a significant increase from 110 children in 2014. This expansion was made possible through the removal of the per capita income criteria, enhanced multi-platform marketing as well as stronger engagement on the ground.
“As parents, we believe in providing the best opportunities for our children. SINDA’s pre-school programmes have given my children the space and freedom to explore their interests and to help them develop a love for learning. My children are now confident learners and have a strong foundation in reading and numbers.” Prakash Swaminthan, 45 Technician Father of Chitrita Prakash, Literacy & Numeracy
“MY CHILDREN ARE NOW CONFIDENT LEARNERS AND HAVE A STRONG FOUNDATION IN READING AND NUMBERS”
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SINDA ANNUAL REPORT 2015
TUTORIAL PROGRAMMES STEP
Project Teach
Home-based Tuition
The SINDA Tutorials for Enhanced Performance, or STEP, is a holistic after-school tutorial programme designed to provide primary and secondary school students with quality teaching at subsidised rates. Over 70,000 students have benefited from this flagship programme since its inception in 1992. These include 3,774 students who were enrolled in the STEP programme across our 21 centres in 2015.
Project Teach (Primary) strives to provide students with holistic support through a strong partnership with students’ day schools and their parents. This school-based tutorial programme supplements learning through intensive small group tuition and is targeted at primary school students who score B-grade and below. The students are identified by SINDA Liaison Officers appointed by SINDA.
Students who are unable to physically attend SINDA’s tutorial programmes due to existing medical conditions need not miss out thanks to our Home-based Tuition programme, which brings tuition support to students in their homes. In 2015, seven students received this much-needed support.
The STEP programme is also part of the Self-Help Groups’ (SHGs) Collaborative Tuition Programme (CTP). Through CTP, students of any race may attend SHG tutorial programme should they meet the prevailing criteria.
A variant of the programme is held for secondary school students who score B4-grade and below. In 2015, Project Teach reached out to 1,157 primary and secondary students across 54 schools.
“The support and encouragement from my STEP tutors, together with my school teachers, played a significant role in helping me reach my goals. I could not have scored a clean sweep of distinctions if not for the devotion of my tutors. Under the guidance of my dedicated and passionate tutors, I was stretched beyond my potential.” Natarajan Anitha Phireethi, 14 STEP Tuition Student Currently enrolled in Raffles Girls’ School
“I COULD NOT HAVE SCORED A CLEAN SWEEP OF DISTINCTIONS IF NOT FOR THE DEVOTION OF MY TUTORS”
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SINDA ANNUAL REPORT 2015
OTHER EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES Intensive Coaching Programmes
Content & Pedagogy
Intensive coaching programmes are offered to students sitting for PSLE, O-Level and N-Level examinations. These programmes, conducted at decentralised locations islandwide, serve as an alternative for students who may not be attending STEP or Project Teach. In 2015, five such programmes were conducted for a total of 126 primary and secondary level students.
SINDA’s educational programmes are supported by a Content and Pedagogy Unit (CPU) that ensures our teaching curricula and tutors’ professional development remain refreshed and relevant. In 2015, CPU rolled out and/or enhanced customised curricula for primary-level Mathematics and Science, interactive e-learning, and motivational and mentorship components for STEP and Project Teach. It also introduced ICT into 80 tutorial classes.
Post-Secondary Programmes Saadhana ‘A’ Level Tuition This 30-week programme provides junior college and centralised institute students with academic assistance in core subjects, so that they can strive towards acing their A-Level examinations. 129 students were enrolled in this programme in 2015. ITE Math and Motivation The ITE Math and Motivation (M²) programme is a 16-week programme targeting enhanced NITEC foundation students. The programme was piloted in 2015 for seven students.
To ensure the effective delivery of the customised curricula to students, tutors were engaged in regular training as well as the inaugural Tutor Forum 2015, a key platform providing updates on Singapore’s educational landscape and relevant developments. In 2015, CPU oversaw the professional development of 360 tutors in the STEP and Project Teach programmes.
Scholarships SINDA offers a wide range of scholarships to students in collaboration with established educational institutions, with the aim of encouraging individuals to pursue higher studies and upgrade their skills. In 2015, 31 students benefited through 15 scholarship schemes.
“As individuals, we need to keep on learning. When we stop learning, we stop growing and cannot adapt to a rapidly challenging world. Through this scholarship offered by SINDA, I aim to fulfil my aspirations and better the lives of others in the community.” Rubeni d/o Kunasegaran, 22 Student Care Teacher Dr Balaji Sadasivan Scholarship Award Recipient
“THROUGH THIS SCHOLARSHIP OFFERED BY SINDA, I AIM TO FULFIL MY ASPIRATIONS AND BETTER THE LIVES OF OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY”
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SINDA ANNUAL REPORT 2015
EDUCATION EVENTS @ A GLANCE
Joint Tuition Awards SINDA Excellence Awards 414 top achieving students in the academic and sporting arenas received accolades in the annual SINDA Excellence Awards ceremony.
SINDA-MOE Partnership Ceremony
Student recipients of the Joint Tuition Awards–hosted by the four Self-Help Groups–posing with GOH, Mr S Iswaran. Of the 694 recipients, 219 were from SINDA.
US Educators Visit STEP
83 schools and 250 teachers were recognised for their strong partnership with SINDA and for their commitment towards bettering Indian students’ academic performance.
DPM Tharman interacts with STEP students at Ping Yi Secondary School. 3,774 students were enrolled in STEP in 2015.
SINDA was proud to host 40 American educators and share with them our education efforts. Our visitors also enjoyed interacting with STEP students at Seng Kang Secondary School.
iLeap Graduation
Launch of School-Based Student Care Centres
Tutor Appreciation Night
Pre-schoolers at their graduation from the iLeap bridging course, designed to help pre-schoolers keep up with their peers when they enter Primary 1.
SINDA, together with the other Self-Help Groups, signed an MOU with the Ministry of Education in 2015 to set up 30 school-based student care centres islandwide.
Close to 250 tutors from STEP and Project Teach were appreciated for their efforts and contributions in making SINDA’s education programmes a success.
STEP Centre Visit
INSPIRING YOUTHS TOWARDS GREATER ACHIEVEMENTS SINDA’s Youth Division functions as a vibrant hub for Indian youth, providing guidance, building confidence, and instilling in them the attitude and aspiration to excel. Our two-pronged approach focuses first on character development and motivation for those that need a helping hand in life. Youth in such programmes are engaged in productive ways that nurture their inner potential and strengths. Such programmes promote positive outcomes by providing opportunities, fostering healthy relationships and rendering the necessary support for them to steer their lives in a positive direction.
The second approach targets youth who are well on their way to a successful life by inculcating in them positive virtues, grooming them for leadership roles and encouraging them to critically approach national and social issues. We ultimately envisage Indian youth as successful adults who endeavour towards great achievements and are responsible citizens who contribute constructively towards community-building.
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SINDA ANNUAL REPORT 2015
MOTIVATIONAL AND CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES Youth Victory
Guidance and Mentorship
Peer Leadership
Youth Victory is a school-based motivation programme that is conducted in schools for their respective students. The programme, which is customised according to each school’s needs, was enhanced in 2015:
The Guidance and Mentorship programme, popularly known as GAME, is a six-month interestbased programme for secondary school youth, who engage in interactive skills learning activities led by trained youth facilitators. First organised in 2011, GAME offered three diverse programme options in 2015: Football, Music and Dance.
Participants from motivational and character development programmes who demonstrate significant improvement are selected for leadership grooming through the year-long Peer Leadership programme, where they undergo essential leadership modules and practical lessons.
• The programme was extended beyond lower secondary level to all secondary level students, and included additional modules such as memory skills, exam preparation, stress management and goal-setting. • Engagement was increased through interactive sessions for students during school holidays. 369 students took part in Youth Victory in 2015, of which 70% reported significant improvements in their resilience.
During the year, 192 youth kicked, played and danced their way through the programme, about 60% of whom experienced an increase in their self-esteem and resilience.
Those who perform exceptionally well are put through advanced training on the Advanced Peer Leadership Course. In 2015, the course introduced a situational test as part of an overseas trip, to monitor how well these youth performed under pressure. In 2015, a total of 35 youth participated in the Peer Leadership programme, 15 of whom progressed to the advanced level course.
“SINDA’s youth programmes gave me the opportunity to learn more about leadership – to speak confidently, to encourage others and to guide them the right way. These programmes helped me build character, boost my confidence, and gave me the opportunity to lead my juniors and be a good role model to them.” Raja Rishi, 20 ITE College Central Student Camp Arise, GAME and SINDA Lions Participant
“SINDA’S YOUTH PROGRAMMES GAVE ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT LEADERSHIP”
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SINDA ANNUAL REPORT 2015
LEADERSHIP PROGRAMMES SINDA Young Leaders’ Programme (SYLP)
ITE Leadership Programme (ITELP)
SINDA Sports Initiative (SPIN)
SYLP is a sustained five-month programme that grooms youth into leaders and encourages them to play an active role in communitybuilding. Participants are immersed hands-on in local projects as well as an international study trip, designed to provide them with insights into social issues.
Newly introduced in 2015, ITELP engages ITE students on a seven-month programme to develop their skills and capabilities, fostered through three components – a leadership camp, soft skills modules and a community project.
SPIN immerses youth in a six-month exercise programme to positively cultivate their mental, social and physical well-being. Participants are encouraged to sustain a healthy lifestyle through participating in unique team sports and adopting a healthy diet. A 90-day fitness challenge was also introduced in 2015 to help participants achieve their personal fitness goals. SPIN also includes customised training assisted by a professional physical trainer who trains with participants twice a week.
In 2015, 38 youth graduated from the programme and eight local projects were accomplished.
The 24 students who took part in this pioneer programme put their newfound skills into action in a half-day activity for senior citizens at the Meranti Home @ Pelangi Village as part of their community project – a project that was wholly conceptualised and implemented by the youth themselves.
In 2015, 51 youth gained a healthier perspective on life and fitness through the programme.
“If anyone ever tells you that you are too young to do something, do not let your mind succumb to that negativity. Together with opportunities to interact with people from various walks of life, SINDA’s leadership programmes allowed me to hone my leadership skills in programmes that I never thought I could lead. Aspire to inspire always, regardless of your age.” M Premikha, 20 2nd year Medical Student at NUS SINDA Youth Club Participant
“IF ANYONE EVER TELLS YOU THAT YOU ARE TOO YOUNG TO DO SOMETHING, DO NOT LET YOUR MIND SUCCUMB TO THAT NEGATIVITY”
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SINDA ANNUAL REPORT 2015
YOUTH EVENTS @ A GLANCE Positive Youth Development Awards Night (PYD Awards Night) Youth interacting with GOH, Ms Indranee Rajah, at the PYD Awards Night, which recognised the immense improvements of 92 participants from four motivational programmes.
Rainbow50 In commemoration of SG50, more than 100 youth volunteers came together to inject colour and life into 50 disadvantaged homes islandwide.
Youth Symposium Youth from all walks of life came together to reflect upon core Singaporean issues at the inaugural SINDA Youth Symposium.
SINDA Sports Initiative (SPIN) Participants experienced dragon boating as part of the healthfocused SPIN programme, which also included a personalised fitness programme, health advice and exciting team sports.
A’s The Race 39 youth came together for an interactive camp as part of A’s the Race. The programme pairs junior college students with undergraduate mentors, to help them ace their A-levels with confidence.
ITE Leadership Programme (ITELP) The inaugural ITELP provided ITE students with leadership opportunities through a structured programme, including a residential camp, skills workshops and a community project.
SINDA Young Leaders’ Programme (SYLP) Participants listening to a NGO presenter during a study trip to Cambodia, as part of the five-month social leadership programme that nurtures youth into young leaders.
Camp Arise 92 lower secondary students from SINDA’s STEP programme rough it out at Camp Arise, aimed at inculcating motivation, character-building and leadership in students.
ENGAGING PARENTS TO PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THEIR CHILDREN’S LIVES SINDA firmly believes in nurturing families for a better future. Of all the environmental influences present in the modern world, the family has the utmost impact on a child’s development. While the educational and motivational needs of a child remain at the core of our initiatives, empowering parents with essential parenting skills and assimilating them into the various stages of a child’s development have taken on added importance. SINDA’s Family Division moves forward bearing in mind the importance that a stable family unit plays in promoting positive outcomes for all children.
Our family-focused endeavours are also supported by the SINDA Family Service Centre (SFSC), which continues to reach out to the community through social work and assistance schemes. SFSC builds upon and establishes new links with various key stakeholders to provide comprehensive services to families and the community at large.
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SINDA ANNUAL REPORT 2015
FAMILY PROGRAMMES Hour of Code
We Power!
The Hour of Code programme introduces pre-school children and their parents to digital technologies and computer programming. Through a series of lessons, families were equipped with practical knowledge on various software and how to use them effectively in their daily lives. In 2015, 48 family members were enrolled in this programme.
Conducted at STEP locations, this three-session workshop equips parents of STEP programme students with relevant skills and knowledge and a better understanding of the educational landscape, enabling them to better support their children in their academic pursuits. We Power! empowered 370 parents in 2015.
Book & Shelf The Book & Shelf project provides children from low-income families with a dedicated study corner and reading materials in their homes, opening the door to exciting worlds and contributing to a conducive home learning environment. The project benefited 80 families in 2015.
SINDA Parenting Conference 2015 SINDA, together with the Tamil Language and Cultural Society, organised the SINDA Parenting Conference, which revolved around the theme “My Child! Our Future!”. A total of 446 family members attended the one-day conference, gaining valuable insights into the important role each family member plays in building a resilient and positive family.
Motivational Programmes & Family Bonding We organise stimulating programmes and activities throughout the year that create opportunities for families to spend time together, understand one another better, and ultimately build stronger family bonds. Besides fun games for the whole family to participate in, such programmes also often contain an academic element to nurture each child’s continued learning and help develop them to their fullest potential. In 2015, 1,996 family members bonded through such programmes.
“My wife and I have learnt useful parenting techniques through the parenting programmes organised by SINDA. The seminars and workshops have helped us to better ourselves as parents. We are now more determined to be actively involved in our children’s lives and be exemplary role models.” N. Kabil Dhew, 32 Newspaper Distributor Participant in SINDA Parenting Programmes
“WE ARE NOW MORE DETERMINED TO BE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN OUR CHILDREN’S LIVES AND BE EXEMPLARY ROLE MODELS”
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SINDA ANNUAL REPORT 2015
SINDA FAMILY SERVICE CENTRE The SINDA Family Service Centre (SFSC) is a one-stop centre that provides social work services, counselling and financial assistance to those in need.
Financial Assistance and Casework In 2015, SFSC assisted 524 families and 3,026 individuals with their needs through the following services:
Legal Clinic SFSC coordinates free legal services for disadvantaged Indian clients who are unable to afford lawyers. In such sessions, volunteer lawyers provide legal advice and also suggest potential community resources that these clients can tap on. 28 families benefited from this service in 2015.
Project Athena Information and Referral Services
1,102 clients Casework
524 families School Pocket Money Fund
151 students SINDA Assistance Schemes SINDA Bursary
Project Athena empowers single Indian mothers to become confident, independent, self-sufficient and resilient individuals. The programme provides a strong support network, helping them build stronger bonds with their children so that they in turn grow into confident and successful youths. In 2015, a series of parenting group work sessions were organised for single mothers, where they were encouraged to reflect on their parenting styles and learn valuable parenting skills. Project Athena enriched 123 mothers and children in 2015.
377 students Pre-School Bursary
44 students Before and After Care Subsidy
18 students SIET Bursary
134 students School Kits
1,200 students Through these various modes of assistance, SFSC disbursed $953, 571 in 2015.
“The help schemes extended by SINDA Family Service Centre were useful in getting my family through financial difficulties. The support, guidance and holistic assistance rendered strengthened my family to work towards upgrading ourselves. We are truly grateful for the financial and emotional assistance received in times of need.� Subash s/o Saminathan, 41 Contractor SINDA Family Service Centre Beneficiary
“THE HELP SCHEMES EXTENDED BY SINDA FAMILY SERVICE CENTRE WERE USEFUL IN GETTING MY FAMILY THROUGH FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES”
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SINDA ANNUAL REPORT 2015
FAMILY EVENTS @ A GLANCE
SINDA Junior Challenge Back To School Festival (BTSF) 1,200 school kits were distributed to students from low-income families at the annual BTSF carnival. These school kits form part of the $12 million that SINDA invests in education each year.
220 excited STEP students compete in English, Maths and Science tasks and showcase their academic abilities in competitions.
We Power! A new initiative, We Power!, equips parents with the skills and knowledge to better support their children in their academic pursuits. Held islandwide, the programme reached 370 parents in 2015.
Camp Jumanji The three-day Camp Jumanji challenged 121 tweens with a whole barrage of confidencebuilding activities, from abseiling to aqua challenges.
Children Funfair 26 primary school students embarked on a “Trip Around the World� at Whitelodge Kindergarten, learning about various cultures and putting their school holidays to good use.
PSLE Soccer Camp The PSLE Soccer Camp was an opportunity for 33 boys to hone their soccer skills, while learning more on healthy lifestyle, discipline and teamwork.
P1 Starters Seminar Parents pick up valuable tips at the P1 Starters Seminar, with various subject specialists at hand to offer useful insights into the current educational landscape.
FORGING A STRONGER RELATIONSHIP WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS Meaningful partnerships with community, grassroots, religious and ethnic groups greatly enhance SINDA’s efforts. The resources and expertise of these partners enable us to effectively connect with individuals and maximise our outreach. We also work closely with volunteers from all walks of life and of all ages. Volunteer support is the backbone of the many programmes and services we offer.
As well as undertaking a variety of services on behalf of SINDA – from managing the smooth operation of programmes to doorknocking exercises – SINDA’s community of volunteers are also ambassadors, who champion our efforts on the ground, and engage the community to better understand its feedback and concerns.
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SINDA ANNUAL REPORT 2015
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Engagement with Organisations In 2015, we partnered with 99 organisations in our community outreach efforts. Of these, we engaged 64 organisations through dialogues and booth setups. A further 35 organisations were supported or funded for hosting programmes that aligned with SINDA’s mandate. It was particularly heartening that three organisations, owing to strong engagement efforts by SINDA, provided 105 SINDA student beneficiaries with bursaries amounting to $30,500.
District Meetings
Project Give
With a view to keep the Singaporean Indian community updated on our efforts and hear feedback from the ground, we hosted a series of five dialogue sessions in 2015, one each at the five zonal districts.
Project Give 2015 marked the 15th year of SINDA’s annual fundraising campaign, which continues to be an opportune platform for us to increase the community’s awareness of our ongoing efforts while raising funds for educational and financial assistance purposes.
Members of Parliament engaged the audiences at these sessions and clarified matters ranging from SINDA’s education schemes to family programmes. Through these sessions, we reached out to 300 constituents.
An appreciation ceremony was hosted on 7 November 2015 for Project Give donors who donated $5,000 or more. The ceremony also acknowledged sponsors for their valuable sponsorships towards Project Give.
“SINDA’s continuous efforts to engage the community have strengthened the bonds within the larger community. We are very fortunate to be able to work hand in hand with SINDA to better serve the Indian community. With strong support from community partners, we are certain SINDA will continue to touch lives and engage families.” N. Karunakaran, 68 President of Sri Arasakesari Sivan Temple Community Partner
“WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO WORK HAND IN HAND WITH SINDA TO BETTER SERVE THE INDIAN COMMUNITY”
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SINDA ANNUAL REPORT 2015
SINDA VOLUNTEERS In 2015, 1,109 volunteers contributed a total of 8,009 hours of support in assisting us with our programmes and services. 128 of these volunteers were involved in long-haul SINDA programmes conducted by other SINDA divisions, such as the GAME programme and the Literacy and Numeracy programme. The remaining 981 volunteers were involved in duties at SINDA events.
Celebrate!
Interactive Sessions and Focus Group Discussions
Celebrate! is our way of spreading some festive cheer, distributing festive gift vouchers to low-income families during their respective festive seasons – Hari Raya, Deepavali and Christmas. In 2015, 18 corporate and religious organisations joined hands with SINDA to assist in distributing these gift packs to a total of 1,306 lessprivileged families during their festive celebrations.
To maintain strong relationships with volunteers and engage them further, SINDA conducts monthly interactive sessions and quarterly focus group discussions (FGDs). In 2015, SINDA hosted 10 interactive sessions and 4 focus group discussions. While the interactive sessions provided volunteers with a common platform to share ideas and build on each other’s experiences, the FGDs gathered feedback on integral volunteer matters, such as recruitment, training, sustainment and exit management. These interactive sessions and FGDs culminated in a networking session where the consolidated findings from the FGDs were presented to the volunteers.
“Volunteering my services with SINDA’s legal clinic for the past 20 years has been a rewarding experience. I help low-income families who otherwise have no access to legal recourse. Empowering the helpless with legal knowledge and providing them with a renewed sense of hope always gives me a deep sense of satisfaction. I am happy to make a positive difference in the lives of these families.” B Uthayachanran, 61 Lawyer SINDA Volunteer
“EMPOWERING THE HELPLESS WITH LEGAL KNOWLEDGE AND PROVIDING THEM WITH A RENEWED SENSE OF HOPE ALWAYS GIVES ME A DEEP SENSE OF SATISFACTION”
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SINDA ANNUAL REPORT 2015
COMMUNITY EVENTS @ A GLANCE
SEA Games Athletes Appreciation Dinner SEA Games athletes, past and present, mingle at an appreciation dinner hosted to acknowledge the contributions of Indian sportspersons.
District Meetings Members of Parliament and SINDA representatives met with constituents through five district meetings, designed to increase their awareness of SINDA’s efforts and help schemes.
Project Give Donor Acknowledgement Ceremony An appreciation ceremony was hosted on 7 November 2015 for Project Give donors who donated $5,000 and more. Into its 15th edition, Project Give serves as a platform for the community to show their communal support towards the betterment of Indian students and families.
Tribute to Mr Lee Kuan Yew
Interactive Sessions with Volunteers
SINDA, on behalf of the Indian community, organised a tribute to mark the passing of Mr Lee Kuan Yew. More than 150 Indian organisations attended the memorial ceremony, with community leaders praising the extraordinary leader for his achievements.
10 interactive sessions and 4 FGDs were organised in 2015 to provide volunteers a common platform to share ideas and build on each other’s experiences in serving the Indian community.
Engaging Partner Organisations Community leaders attend a programme briefing at SINDA. 2015 saw immense support from Indian, community, religious and ethnic groups, towards increased collaborations in making SINDA programmes a resounding success.
SINDA ANNUAL REPORT 2015
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CORPORATE & MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS Our Corporate and Marketing Communications Division (CMC) is the driving force behind communicating the SINDA brand to stakeholders and raising awareness of key messages among relevant target audiences that aim to influence positive behaviour. In addition to marketing SINDA’s events, programmes and services, the division also undertakes corporate marketing activities and manages media functions.
BROADCAST SPONSORSHIPS CMC regularly sponsors programmes that carry positive community messaging. In 2015, the following programmes were sponsored:
SINDA IN THE MEDIA 218 mentions of SINDA were made in 2015 across all unpaid broadcast media platforms:
By Theme:
Television Programmes: Nammai Patri, Nammai Sutri Season 2 on Vasantham (Tamil Current Affairs Series) Vetri Season 2 on Vasantham (Tamil Youth-centric Drama)
Community efforts, partnerships and fund-raising
Wacky Science Club on Vasantham (Science-based Series) Project Campus Season 2 on Vannathirai (Tamil Info-ed Series)
Family and parentingrelated themes
Neenga Sollunga Season 7 on Vannathirai (Tamil Current Affairs Series)
35 %
43 %
10 % 12 % Youth-related topics and themes
By Media:
Subah Ki Chai Season 4 on Colors (English Info-ed Series)
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Radio Programmes: Chillax on Oli 96.8FM (Youth Programme featuring unique careers)
Educational events and topics
Newspaper
32 Television 20 Online 14 Radio 10 Magazine
ONLINE AND SOCIAL MEDIA
312,860 visitors to the corporate website
70,908 users engaged through Facebook
34,975 Twitter impressions through 220 tweets
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SINDA ANNUAL REPORT 2015
CORPORATE SERVICES Our Corporate Services Division (CSD) comprises Corporate Governance, Strategic Planning, Management Information Systems, Finance, Administration and Human Resources. The division provides extensive support to all other departments within SINDA, as well as internal and external stakeholders, to ultimately fulfil the organisation’s corporate objectives. Key improvements in 2015:
PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SINDA undertook a review and revamped its competency framework in 2015, to better support organisational objectives and develop staff into competent officers who can serve the needs of the community effectively. A new competency framework was formulated, consisting of five core competencies for all staff, and an additional two for senior management:
Core Competencies: Commitment to SINDA’s Mission and Vision Maintaining Positivity Engaging SINDA’s Stakeholders Working Together Adaptive Thinking
Leadership Competencies: Team Leadership Enterprise Thinking
CLIENT SERVICES To serve walk-in clients more efficiently and to answer and monitor all calls to the organisation, SINDA introduced a third officer at the reception desk from 2015 onwards. All SINDA staff, including management, were trained and rostered to take on the role of this third officer, to assist the existing two client relationship officers.
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Singapore Indian Development Association 1 Beatty Road, Singapore 209943 Hotline 1800 295 4554 www.sinda.org.sg mysinda mysinda mysinda
Fax 6392 4300