Largest Ever Number of Children Participating in Fourth Edition of Children For Children

The fourth edition of Children for Children at Resorts World Sentosa promises to be bigger, better and more exci-ng for 1,400 children from low-income families who have accepted the invitation to participate in this annual community event on Children’s Day (7 October, 2011).

With an overwhelming response from 73 out of a total of 173 primary schools in Singapore participating in this year’s Children for Children, this is the largest ever gathering for the event since its inception in 2008.

This event, jointly organised by The Arts House, The Business Times and CHIJ (Kellock), is also a fundraiser for ChildAid, an annual children’s charity concert organised by Singapore Press Holdings. Proceeds from ChildAid will benefit The Business Times Budding Artists Fund (BT BAF) and The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund(STSPMF).

Mr Alvin Tay, editor of The Business Times and chairman of The Business Times Budding Ar-sts Fund (BT BAF), says, “This community event is organised as part of BT’s 35th Anniversary celebrations. We sincerely thank our generous donors who have helped us raise $240,000 so far. This will enable us to reach out to even more children with financial difficulties and, as importantly, offer them hope and maybe even some happiness.”

Immersing in this year’s theme of ImaginAction, the par-cipants will embark on an exciting journey to discover the beauty of Dreaming, Daring and Doing, so as to bring about transformative change in self and other. The children will take part in arts activities comprising face painting, furry art, balloon sculpting, badge making and origami at the yet-to-
be-opened Maritime Experiential Museum and Aquarium (MEMA), and watch a series of performances at the Coliseum, all specially prepared by their young hosts from CHIJ (Kellock), before proceeding to the Universal Studios Singapore, where they could enjoy, to their hearts’ content, rides at the popular theme park.

Mrs Clara Lim-Tan, principal of CHIJ (Kellock), says, “Over these last 4 years, Children’s Day has taken on quite a different meaning for pupils at CHIJ (Kellock). They no longer view it as just another school holiday. Rather, our pupils now look forward to Children’s Day as they associate it with the significance of the day as an opportunity and platform to do something special and meaningful for others, particularly children from less privileged backgrounds. Children for Children continues to be a powerful reminder that we are never too young to make a difference. It challenges us to dream up ideas and fresh ways of crea-ng and leading posi-ve change around us and in the process, inspire others to do the same. We are delighted to be working once again with our strategic partners The Business Times and The Arts House to make this year’s event a truly joyful and memorable one for all involved.”

Says Mr Robin Goh, Assistant Director of Communica-ons of Resorts World Sentosa, of this year’s event: “We are honoured to partner The Business Times Budding Artists Fund as the venue for Children for Children 2011. This year, the organisers pulled out all the stops and hope to wow the kids with an exci-ng line-up of activities. Resorts World Sentosa is delighted to welcome these kids as our first guests to the Maritime Experiential Museum & Aquarium even before it officially opens to the public, in addition to the region’s most exciting theme park, Universal Studios Singapore, which the kids will also be visiting. Since 2008, on our journey of giving, we have been privileged to have reached out to over 2,500 underprivileged kids, youths and social workers. This meaningful ride has enriched us as a socially responsible corporate citizen and we hope to con-nue to inspire lives and making a difference for the
community.”

With more than 100 corporate volunteers from Great Eastern Holdings Limited, Agape Group Holdings and The Arts House stepping in to ensure that the young guests have the most memorable Children’s day, Children for Children 2011 encapsulates the virtuous cycle of giving and sharing between the larger community and the underprivileged shared by BT BAF.

Mr Heng Swee Keat, Minister for Education, will be the guest-of-honour for the event.

For more informa-on on BT BAF, please visit www.baf.sg or contact us at enquirieslaa@toph.com.sg.

The Business Times Budding Artists Fund
Launched by The Old Parliament House Ltd (a not-for-profit enterprise committed to enriching lives through arts and cultural initiatives) and adopted by The Business Times in 2005, The Business Times Budding Artists Fund (BT BAF) originated from a convic-on that no child with strong interest and poten-al in the arts should be deprived of the opportunity to develop his or her talents due to a lack of financial resources. The BT BAF encourages the development of creativity amongst the young and is critical in providing opportunities for disadvantaged children to discover hidden artistic talents and to develop their self-worth. Since 2005, the BT BAF has reached out to more than 7,000 disadvantaged children between the ages of five and 12 years through a variety of programmes comprising arts camps, workshops, and signature performance events. From 1 October 2010, the BT BAF has extended its reach to economically disadvantaged youths who are between 13 and 19 years of age. For more informa-on on BT BAF, please visit www.baf.sg.

Resorts World
Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), Singapore’s first integrated resort is located on the resort island of Sentosa. Spanning 49 hectares, the resort has welcomed over 15 million visitors since it opened in January 2010. RWS is home to the region’s first-and-only Universal Studios theme park, a casino, luxurious accommoda-on in four unique hotels, the Resorts World Convention Center, celebrity chef restaurants as well as specialty retail outlets. The resort also offers entertainment ranging from its resident theatrical circus spectacular Voyage de la Vie, to public attractions such as the Crane Dance and the Lake of Dreams. Resorts World Sentosa is currently developing the second phase of the Resort. Upon completion, RWS will open the Maritime Experiential Museum and Aquarium, the Marine Life Park, a destination spa and two additional hotels. Resorts World Sentosa is wholly owned by Genting Singapore, a company of the Genting Group.

CHIJ (Kellock)
Established in 1964, CHIJ (Kellock) is an established all-girls’ government-aided primary school and the youngest of the 11 CHIJ schools in Singapore. The school’s vision of “A Globally-Minded Community with a Passion to Learn, Lead and Make a Difference” encapsulates its commitment toward providing a holis-c educa-on for its pupils, where each child can develop her potential to the fullest. Placing high priority on the learning and well-being of its pupils, the
school aims to cultivate 21st century learners with a global perspective – learners who are confident, creative and connected. It provides opportuni-es for them to grow and develop into concerned ci-zens and leaders of tomorrow.

For MEDIA queries, please contact:

Miss Janice Zhang
Executive, Communications and Partnerships
The Little Arts Academy | The Business Times Budding Artists Fund
PoMo, 1 Selegie Road, #05-01/02, Singapore 188306
Tel: (65) 6513 3015
Email: janice_zhang@toph.com.sg

Mr Robin Goh
Assistant Director, Communica-ons
Resorts World at Sentosa Pte Ltd
39 Ar-llery Avenue, Sentosa, Singapore 099958
Tel: (65) 6577 9778
Email: robin.goh@rwsentosa.com

Mrs Clara Lim-Tan
Principal
CHIJ (Kellock)
1 Bukit Teresa Road, Singapore 099757
Tel: (65) 6273 0096
Email: Clara_LIM-TAN@moe.gov.sg

Media Kit
Initiated in 2008, and jointly organised by The Arts House, The Business Times and CHIJ (Kellock), Children for Children is an annual community event held on Children’s Day with the aim of giving a taste of fun, camaraderie and the arts to children who might otherwise never get such an opportunity.

Pupils of CHIJ (Kellock) play host to 1,000 needy children and regale them with performances and craft activities. This event is also an opportunity to raise funds for ChildAid, an annual fundraising concert jointly organised by The Business Times and The Straits Times. Proceeds from ChildAid will benefit The Business Times Budding Artists Fund (BT BAF) and The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund (STSPMF).

With corporations coming on board to volunteer and donate towards this course, Children for Children encapsulates the virtuous cycle of giving and sharing between the larger community and the underprivileged.

Children for Children over the years
1 Oct 2008: Singapore Flyer
30 Sep 2009: Singapore Zoological Gardens
1 Oct 2010: Underwater World Singapore
7 Oct 2011: Resorts World Sentosa (including Universal Studios Singapore)

Programme
Children from various primary schools will be arriving in batches from 8.00am to 8.45am at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) to celebrate Children’s Day. Upon arrival, the children will proceed to the Maritime Experiential Museum and Aquarium (MEMA) and be engaged in various arts activities. Ater the arts activities, the children will proceed to the Coliseum to watch performances by CHIJ (Kellock). Ater lunch (provided), the children will proceed to Universal
Studios Singapore for the rides and shows. By 6.00pm, the event will be completed.

Schedule

Batch 1
8 – 8.45am: Arrival of the children from 73 schools in batches
9– 9.45am: 1st Performance at the Coliseum
10 – 11.30am: Craft activities and Typhoon Experience at MEMA
11.45am – 12.30pm: Lunch
12.30 – 6pm: Proceed to Universal Studios Singapore
Batch 2
8.30 – 10am: Arrival of the children from 73 schools in batches | Craft activities and Typhoon Experience at MEMA
10am: Arrival of GOH, Mr Heng Swee Keat, Minister for Educa-on
11 – 11.45am: 2nd Performance at the Coliseum
11.45am – 12.30pm: Lunch
12.30 – 6.00pm: Proceed to Universal Studios Singapore

Theme
The theme for this year’s event is ImaginACTION. Participants at this year’s event will set out on an exciting journey to discover the beauty of Dreaming, Daring and Doing so as to bring about transforma-ve change in self and others. Their ImaginACTION experience comprises 3 segments as follows:

1. CHIJ (Kellock) Performance – Highlights the power of dreaming of undreamed shores and that we are never too small to make a difference.

2. CHIJ (Kellock) Crats Booths and Typhoon Experience @ Mari-me Experien-al Museum and Aquarium (MEMA) – Highlight the differences people in history have made as a result of doing. Crats include Furry Art, Sun Catcher, Stencil Artwork, Magnet Making etc.

3. Universal Studio – Highlights the importance of daring to take on challenges and overcoming our fears. To make it even more special, this year’s goodie bag will contain ImaginACTION kit with three symbolic items representing ‘Dream’, ‘Dare’ and ‘Do’. Through the performances and hands-on ac-vi-es, each individual would definitely take away with them a unique experience of his/her own.

This entry was posted in Press Release on October 7, 2011 [h;p://baf.sg/?p=769] by superEco.