700 Students Embark on a Historical Adventure at Fort Canning for Children’s Day

Singapore, 3 October 2024 ­– 700 students from schools across Singapore will come together to celebrate Children’s Day with The Great Puzzle Hunt during Children for Children (CFC), a thrilling day of adventure that encourages them to rediscover the cultural and historical significance of Fort Canning Hill.

The Great Puzzle Hunt is the main highlight of this year’s CFC, an annual community event held in conjunction with Children’s Day. It is jointly organised by CHIJ (Kellock), non-profit arts organisation TRCL, and The Business Times. CFC aims to provide children with a meaningful experience that blends education and entertainment while fostering a deeper understanding of Singapore’s rich history. Ms Gan Siow Huang, Minister for State for Education and Manpower was the Guest-of-Honour for the event.

Ms Chen Huifen, Editor for The Business Times, mentioned, “BT BAF’s mission is to ensure no child is left behind, and CFC is an annual undertaking that resonates strongly with these words. CFC is an opportunity for underserved children to interface with BT BAF. Throughout these years, BT BAF has reached out to impact more than 23,000 children and youths, and we will continue to step up our efforts to impact more lives through the transformative powers of the arts. We hope that the students learn from the past to build the futures they desire.”

Throughout the day, participants will embark on an exciting journey across Fort Canning Park, where they will solve puzzles at various historically significant locations. A key highlight is the visit to The Battlebox, Singapore’s only World War II bunker that is still operational today. The Battlebox reopened last year under a new operator and provides enhanced experience including 270° projection rooms, offering a unique opportunity to learn about the nation’s wartime history in a modernised way.

Mrs Shanti Suraj Nair, Principal of CHIJ (Kellock), shares the importance of this event in creating both meaningful learning moments and unforgettable experiences for the children:
” CFC is a day to celebrate children being children. It is with this in mind that we decided to bring the kids out among nature, something we used to do before the digital age. As educators, we not only aim to nurture bright, young students, but also ensure that the process is enjoyable for children for a healthy childhood growing up. For our students, it is an invaluable experience in uplifting their peers and inclusivity, developing a spirit of community for a better tomorrow.”

After the puzzle hunt, students from CHIJ (Kellock) will host the event’s participants with performances and mini-carnival activities at Fort Canning Hotel, adding a festive and celebratory atmosphere to the day.

CFC is more than just a fun-filled event—it also serves as a fundraiser for The Business Times Budding Artists Fund (BT BAF), which supports children and youths by giving them access to the arts.

Ms Elaine Tan, Head, Partnership Development, TRCL, highlights the mission behind CFC:
“CFC is an annual event aimed at giving underserved children a meaningful Children’s Day celebration. Beyond the festivities, it’s about providing these children with opportunities they might not otherwise have—whether it’s learning through the arts or engaging with history in ways that spark inspiration and creativity. “

To date, CFC 2024 has raised around $XXX. Donors include the Hong Leong Group of Companies (comprising Hong Leong Foundation, Hong Leong Finance Limited, Hong Leong Asia Limited), City Developments Limited, Millennium & Copthorne International Limited, Nippon Paint, Ransack, TS Group, CWT Limited and UBS.

Event Details

Date:                           Thursday, 3 October 2024
Time:                          10.00 am to 11.45 am
Venue:                       
Hotel Fort Canning (Legends ballroom)
Guest-of-Honour:    
Ms Gan Siow Huang, Minister of State for Education

Other notable guests in attendance:

Ms Chen Huifen, Editor, The Business Times

Mrs Shanti Suraj Nair, Principal, CHIJ Kellock