Some 1,300 children from economically disadvantaged families will get to spend the eve of Children’s Day at Universal Studios Singapore® in Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), in this year’s presentation of Children for Children. The annual children’s charity event will also help to raise $300,000 for The Business Times Budding Artists Fund (BTBAF) and The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund (SPMF).
Children for Children is jointly organised by The Arts House (managed by The Old Parliament House Limited), The Business Times and CHIJ (Kellock). This year’s 1,300 participating children will come from over 70 primary schools.
The past four editions of Children for Children had seen more than 4,400 children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds visited some of Singapore’s iconic attractions such as the Singapore Flyer (2008), the Singapore Zoo (2009), Underwater World Singapore (2010) and RWS (2011). Following the success of last year’s Children for Children, RWS will continue to be this year’s venue partner.
Ms Lynn Lee, RWS’ corporate social responsibility co-ordinator, says: “Children for Children is a meaningful event that we are honoured to be a part of for the second year running. We hope that through programmes like this, we can bring hope to children from needy families, and at the same time, encourage the concept of giving back among children with the means to do so. As our corporate social responsibility programmes continue to grow, we will explore more of such partnerships. We look forward to welcoming the children to Resorts World Sentosa.”
Mr Alvin Tay, editor of The Business Times and organising chairman of this year’s Children for Children, says: “We see Children for Children as a meaningful iniDaDve which enables children from CHIJ (Kellock) to play host to the 1,000 or more invited children and entertain them with performances and activities during the charity event. In so doing, children will learn to watch out for other children — and that too, on Children’s Day, making the day more impactful for these young, impressionable minds.”
Mrs Clara Lim-Tan, principal of CHIJ (Kellock) adds: “Children for Children is a very powerful learning experience for our pupils. It provides a wonderful opportunity for Values, like empathy and compassion, to be put into Action as our pupils are empowered to make a positive difference in another child’s life. Our pupils look forward each year to putting together a meaningful and engaging programme for the children from less privileged backgrounds in order to make Children’s Day truly special and inspiring.”
The two children’s charities have grown over the years and expanded their scope to meet the needs of a larger number of beneficiaries.
BTBAF has, since 2008, supported its beneficiaries in their pursuit of the arts by fully-subsidising their two-year arts education at The LiXle Arts Academy (LAA). Beneficiaries are not only exposed to music, dance, theatre and visual arts, they also specialise in a discipline of their choice that culminates in a recognised certification or performance. Since 2010, BTBAF has also expanded to meet the needs of a new segment: the youths.
“We are pleased that BTBAF’s reach has gained traction over the years and The Little Arts Academy now sees more than 250 children and 80 youths during each semester. The funds raised through Children for Children will certainly allow us to continue to reach out to more children and youths,” says Ms Aminah Hussien, centre manager of LAA.
Children receiving school pocket money from SPMF will also benefit from the funds raised through Children for Children. “SPMF supports an average of 10,000 children each year, and we have embarked on acDviDes that would help the children in their social and educational development. Step-Up, for example, engages youth from the junior colleges as volunteer-coaches to help boost the English abilities and current affairs of the upper primary school children. Seeing the youth and these young performers at Children for Children stepping forward to give their young friends a leg-up is the big boost for the children we reach out to,” says Miss Martina Wong, general manager of SPMF.
Children for Children 2012 is exclusively for primary school children from low-income families who falls under the Ministry of Education’s Financial Assistance Scheme. The organisers are seeking for individuals and corporate organisations to help raise funds towards this worthy cause.