Giving back to our school and society

Mrs Linda Chan, Principal, Deyi Secondary School

Professor Ho Lai Yun, Acting Chairman, Singapore Children's Society

Mr Alex Lee, Chairman of Social Work Service Standing Committee, Singapore Children's Society,

Mr Steven Chen, Chairman of SAC, Deyi Secondary School

Distinguished Guests, Cabin Members, 

Boys and Girls, 

Teachers and Students,

Good afternoon!

1. It is my honour and privilege to be here. Thank you for inviting me to witness such an important milestone – the launch of the 26th Project Cabin.  I really identify with this. I came from a low income family. When I was only 40 days old, my grandmother took me home. Why was that the case? Back then, my parents were heavily in debt. Since young, I remember my father telling me about an important word which I must walk the talk for – integrity. Just like in your school motto – Dedication and Integrity. Remembering these two attributes and walking the talk for them would position you very well in life. 

2. Although back then they owed a huge sum of money, I remember my father saying that no matter what, he wants to work very hard to pay off every single cent before they accumulate resources to buy our first HDB flat. So for the first 10 years of my life, my parents did not have the means to afford a HDB flat and we were renting places to double up as our garment manufacturing business. At night, we would open up the mattress and sleep with the other co-workers. My elder brother was raised this way, but my grandmother felt that it was better for her to bring me home. What started out as her intention to being me home for a couple of works, ended up with me staying with her for six years.  My grandmother took really good care of me. During those formative years, every weekend my parents would take time off work to come visit me. I know that they are struggling to pay off debts, working seven days a week, but they still try to visit me at my grandma's place.  So, I can identify with the challenges and issues that children from less-privileged families face. That's why I think it is important that Singapore Children's Society continue to press on with the impressive work that you are doing. 

3. These issues are close to my heart. That's why at this year's Committee of Supply debate in March, I expressed my desire for Singapore to become a Giving Nation. Why? 

4. I believe many of us would have heard this statement – it is in giving that we receive. For those of us who are involved in volunteerism, you would know that when you give your time, not just money, we actually receive so much more in terms of a rewarding experience. The rewarding experience is something that will stay with us for life and it is not something that we can get in a classroom environment. We ourselves are helped through volunteerism because when we create joy for people, we also create joy for ourselves. Through the whole process, we also become more compassionate and able to empathise with others' issues and challenges. Such skill sets are important for life. 

5. I hope that all of you will continue to be involved and continue to give. To this end, giving is also related to the social service sector for which Singapore's Children's Society has contributed so much and made tremendous impact in the last six decades. 

6. I remember two months ago I spoke about the need to build a social service sector that is “future-ready” to meet the growing and evolving needs of fellow Singaporeans. With globalisation and technological advancement, it also means that the needs of the needy among fellow Singaporeans is evolving at a very rapid pace. Mr Alex Lee is right in saying that we need to continue to press on, to make sure that we continue to do very robust needs analysis to ensure that the programmes that we deliver are well-placed to address the needs on the ground. 

7. I am happy to learn that the Singapore Children's Society shares my belief.  Since it was founded in 1952, the Children's Society has devoted its resources and energies to fulfilling its mission of “bringing relief and happiness to children in need”. I always believe that the most important thing is that regardless of our children's family environment, we must make sure that they receive quality education as that is the real social leveller. We are very happy to know that the Children's Society has reached out to more than 68,000 beneficiaries last year alone - a commendable effort indeed!

8. I am hence very honoured to launch the 26th Project CABIN – “Spectrum”, a joint partnership between Singapore Children's Society and Deyi Secondary School. This is one of the Society's key programmes, one that has gone beyond its original mission of helping youth from underprivileged background to one that is empowering and nurturing youth to be confident and empowered individuals – who comes back to contribute to their juniors. 

9. I understand from the Society that when Project CABIN was first conceived in 1994, it was meant to offer an alternative place for students to hangout after school. By engaging youths in wholesome leisure and enrichment activities that you saw in the montage earlier, this school-based youth outreach programme really aimed to address the issues of premature school leaving and delinquency. As I mentioned earlier, education is a key leveller, so we must make sure that the boys and girls stay in school. To this end, I know that Project Cabin has really played a bit part to making sure that they remain motivated to stay in school.

10. Today, Project CABIN has become a very attractive youth hangout where good character, good values and strong social skills etc are formed and are forged. I strongly believe that in tomorrow's world, these important values and characters and social skills are going to be the key differentiating factor. I'm very happy to know that the CABINs have become places where more than 6,700 youths call their own – a very impressive record and congratulations to the society. 

11. More importantly, Project CABIN encourages its members to give back to their schools and community. For example in 2014, about 60 CABIN Club members, including 7 from Deyi Sec Sch, took part in Project IMPACT. The project involved the students in gardening and painting at the Association for People with Special Needs (APSN Katong). The youths also worked with 68 APSN students to put up a school concert. 

12. Boys and girls, some of you may have siblings with special needs, and some of may not have interacted with fellow Singaporeans with special needs. But it is important for us to find ways to integrate them, to make sure that we also work alongside them. Regardless of the ability, we need to treasure and cherish every Singaporean. Like I shared earlier, whether you give your time and effort to old folks home or working with Singaporeans with special needs, you will find the experience very rewarding for yourself. 

13. For example, one such student is Celine Ong. A Secondary 4 student who was involved in the project. Initially, like many of us, she was unsure about how to communicate with the special needs students. They may not know how to communicate their own emotions, and they do have mood swings as well. So she found it difficult to draw their attention at times. However, the experience taught her an important life lesson on empathy and caring for others. Through the whole experience I believe Celine now has a better sense of perspective, and that kind of change in perspective will really stand her in good stead in life. 

14. I'm very heartened to hear of Celine's experience and the experience of the other youths on how we have learnt to care for others and serve their community. At MCCY, we work through the National Youth Council to provide all young Singaporeans with the opportunities and programmes to volunteer in a way that you like. It could be a year-long project through Youth Corps Singapore, or a short-term Youth Expedition Project to our neighbouring countries. We have various programmes in schools, and even in the Ministry, to support you, as and when you are ready to join. I believe that through the experience, you will come back being a very positive individual, with a very different perspective. So I'm very confident in each and every one of you because through the experience in Spectrum, you will bring Singapore to greater heights. 

15. This year, we celebrate our nation's 50th year of independence. So it's important that as fellow Singaporeans, regardless of background, regardless of ability, we can work alongside someone a bit different from ourselves. This will help us venture out of our comfort zone, to try to understand their perspective, and to celebrate Singapore's past achievements in the last 50 years. But I think the more important thing is, as we celebrate SG100 – you will still be fairly young – we have full confidence in each and every one of you to bring Singapore to greater heights.  Why? Because you are involved in meaningful projects like Project Cabin – Spectrum. As I was listening to Mr Alex Lee and Mrs Chan's speech, the word 'Home' came to my mind. 

16. Do you know why it came to my mind? Because 'H' to me, represents all the 'hearts' of the Project CABIN's club members. At Project CABIN Spectrum, it is where the hearts of the club members will be. 'O' – represents all the opportunities abounding at Project CABIN Spectrum. The opportunity for friendship – friends who will not judge you, and be there to support you. There are also opportunities to share ideas and create solutions. 'M' – to me M stands for beautiful and shared memories that you will create. Many years later, you will look back fondly. 'E' – Mr Alex Lee mentioned 'enrichment' – the whole slew of enrichment activities that will level up our skill sets to make us a more resilient and strong person. 

17. On this note, I wish all of us good health and happiness; and of course, success for Project CABIN!

18. Thank you.