MICA (P) 036/02/2012 Issue No.1.2015 MINDSPEAK MINDSPEAK 2nd Edition... · – Mr Lee Kuan Yew (1923 – 2015) Singapore went into national mourning on 23 March 2015 as one of Singapore’s

IN THIS ISSUE:

• MINDs Taiko Drummers Make History

• Celebrating World Down Syndrome Day

• MINDS Embracing Key Word Signand more!

MINDSPEAKTHE HEART VOICE OF SPECIAL PEOPLE

Source: thewackyduo.com

MICA (P) 036/02/2012 Issue No.1.2015

Message from CEO

Special Features 04 Bidding Farewell to Singapore’s Founding Father

– Mr Lee Kuan Yew (1923 – 2015) 06 MINDS Taiko Drummers Make History at National Day Parade 2014

CoNtENt PAgE03

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Volunteering & Outreach 14 MINDS MYG First Health Screening15 MINDS Clients Refurbish MacPherson Homes of Elderly16 MINDS SMEDC and ATDC RunIn with LinkedIn17 Community-Minded Undergraduates Support MINDS

Community & Corporate Support19 Students from FGS Get to Shop at Uniqlo20 MINDS Success Story: Model Client in Open Employment21 Empowering and Engaging Clients: Maybank Global Corporate

Responsibility Day 201422 HP Celebrates 25th Anniversary with MINDS23 Minister Tan Chuan-Jin Publishes Travel Photography Book for Charity

and Supports MINDS24 50 for 50: Young Changemakers Support MINDS26 MINDS Christmas Stocking Challenge 2014

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Activities Updates 27 IEDC Annual Party 2014: Around the World in a Day28 SMEDC Annual Party 2014: Rock & Roll with SMEDC29 Aloha! WEDC Ohana Annual Party 201430 Changi Airport Outing with KAPPS Consulting Pte Ltd31 MINDS Embracing Key Word Sign

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New Initiatives / Services08 Celebrating World Down Syndrome Day with Coloured Socks09 Kembangan - Chai Chee Community Hub Opens10 MINDS Families with Children with Intellectual Disability First Travel Experience12 MINDS Caregivers Conference 2014: Unveiling Insights on Caring for Clients13 MINDS Community Group Home: Updates

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In early 2015, we launched our Caregivers Support Services Centre, to focus our efforts on strengthening and developing caregiver capabilities, so that they are better equipped and supported in caring for their charges. This new Centre, as well as the Home-Based Care Services Office, is housed with our latest Eunos Training and Development Centre at Jalan Ubi, which will be officially opened later this year.

We have also launched the Me Too! Club in April 2015, which aims to reach out to socially isolated PWIDs. Me Too! Club will focus on befriending and recreational activities, so as to address their social needs and integration with society.

As the nation celebrates SG50, we too celebrate the successes of our clients and honour the selfless giving and love of their caregivers, alongside the strong support given to MINDS by corporations, donors and volunteers over the years.

To this end, we will be organising our bi-annual MINDS Volunteer and Donor Appreciation Day later this year to honour them, for their philanthropy, generosity and compassion.

There will always be new challenges and hurdles ahead. At MINDS, our clients’ smiles and successes have always given us the strength, motivation and stamina to overcome these challenges and scale new heights, together with our clients. And we will continue to do so, hand in hand with our caregivers, corporate supporters, donors, volunteers, and with you, for more good years ahead!

Here’s wishing our nation a Happy SG50 Birthday in August this year:

Happy Birthday, Singapore!

MESSAgE froM thE CEo Welcome to a new issue of MINDSpeak. In this issue, we are delighted to share with you a retrospective review of MINDS’ milestones in 2014 and bringing you up to date on 2015 thus far.

This year, Singapore celebrates our 50th anniversary of nation building. Together with Singapore, MINDS has come a long way since our inception in 1962, from a class of 26 students to offering a holistic, comprehensive array of services today that meets the life-cycle needs of persons with intellectual disability.

MINDS currently operates four special needs schools, three employment development centres, five training & development centres, a community group home, two residential homes and a hostel.

Our clients have always been our focus and source of inspiration. In 2014, our MINDS Taiko Drummers did us proud and made the whole nation sit up when they performed at the National Day Parade 2014. Their confidence, perseverance and courage were a resounding endorsement of what we are doing at MINDS for our clients – to develop and enable them to achieve their potential, to be the best that they can be.

Just like Singapore 50 years ago, nobody thought Singapore would make it and likewise with our clients. Yet, they continually and consistently surprise us with their talents and capabilities. Recently, while hosting a global gathering of VIP diplomatic guests, our MINDS students’ sincere and pure chorus of singing voices brought tears to our guests’ eyes as they were awed by how beautifully our students can sing, and not because they were intellectually disabled.

This spurs us on at MINDS to work even harder to develop our clients’ potential. Our social enterprises continue to shine, as our MINDS Bakers receive overwhelming support from corporations and the wider public. They are now branching out to provide wedding favours, dessert tables and wellness products. Some of our clients are successfully placed out in open employment, with strong positive feedback from employers on their diligence and work ethic.

In 2014, MINDS set up a home-based care service so that we can reach out to help and support more PWIDs and their families, who are not currently receiving MINDS services. Our Community Group Home moved into their new premises at Bukit Merah earlier this year and we continue to encourage and enable those among our clients, who can be placed in open employment, to live as independently as they can and learn to take care of themselves.

Mr Keh Eng SongChief Executive off icerMINDS

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– Mr Lee Kuan Yew (1923 – 2015)

Singapore went into national mourning on 23 March 2015 as one of Singapore’s

founding fathers, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, passed away. His passing filled us all with sadness and gratitude for taking Singapore from third-world to first-world status.

• Paying tribute at Singapore Botanic Gardens

Our clients at MINDS were also bereaved and some of them appealed to the staff to arrange for a visitation to his lying-in-state at Parliament.

On 26 March 2015, a contingent of MINDS management staff led by MINDS CEO, Mr Keh Eng Song, and Executive Committee member,

BIDDINg fArEwEll to SINgAPorE’S fouNDINg fAthEr

Ms Jamie Lau, together with clients and students from MINDS SIA-Employment Development Centre and Lee Kong Chian Gardens School, joined the snaking queue of bereaved Singaporeans at the Padang to pay their last respects to Mr Lee Kuan Yew at his state funeral, at Parliament House.



SpEcIal FEaTUrES

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Our MINDS clients created beautiful, white paper flowers as an expression of their gratitude to his life and work. It was not just a paper flower. It was an undying bloom filled with their creativity, strengths, hopes and sorrows. As Mr Lee laid peacefully in eternal sleep, our clients bowed deeply in acknowledgement of his gift to us – a successful Singapore.

On the way out, our MINDS uniform caught the attention of Foreign Affairs and Law Minister, Mr Shanmugam, who graciously came by to say hello to us, shook our clients’ hands and took a group photograph with the MINDS contingent. He kindly

thanked us for braving the queue and hot sun to pay our last respects to Mr Lee.

That same afternoon, two groups of students from Fernvale Gardens School and Lee Kong Chian Gardens School made their way to Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s community memorial site at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, organised by the National Parks Board.

Upon arriving, they paid their last respects to Mr Lee in the memorial hall and proceeded to an activity area where they patiently sat down to draw, colour and design their last gift and memento to Mr Lee. The finale

came when our students bravely trooped to the tribute area, knelt respectfully and offered their last parting gift to Mr Lee.

Although it was a sad occasion, our MINDS clients and students did us proud as they demonstrated their compassion, maturity and sense of nationhood that they too are a part of the Singapore society and they mourned together with our nation and people.

• Cards and flowers from MINDS Crafts to pay tributes to our founding father, Mr Lee Kuan Yew• A card for our founding father – Mr Lee Kuan Yew

• Minister for Foreign Affairs and Law, Mr Shanmugam with MINDS CEO, Mr Keh and MINDS staff and clients at the Lee Kuan Yew’s State Funeral at The Parliament House

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MINDS tAIKo DruMMErS MAKE hIStory

National Day is a day when Singaporeans from all walks of life come together to celebrate our nation’s independence. For us at MINDS, National Day Parade (NDP) 2014 meant a tad more. MINDS made history as the first special needs group to perform at the NDP. A total of 13 clients from MINDS were given the rare opportunity to showcase their talents on the national stage in front of thousands of people.

AT NATIONAL DAY PARADE 2014

for months leading up to the actual event, the Taiko Drummers practised conscientiously their drumbeats and moves, awaiting their

chance to wow the public together with the bands from Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Singapore Police Force (SPF), Silent Precision Drill Squad (SPDS), National Cadet Corp (NCC), and National Police Cadet Corp (NPCC).

Besides perfecting the performance, our MINDS Taiko Drummers also underwent rigorous training under the hot sun to acclimatise to the harsh conditions they will be facing during the NDP rehearsals as well as on the actual day. The team not only took long walks during the hottest times of the day, they also practised standing on the spot to get accustomed to the proceedings of the parade.

• MINDS NDP 2014 team

SpEcIal FEaTUrES

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• MINDS representatives marching in a

contingent with Onepeople.sg

• Source: thewackyduo.com

• MINDS Taiko Drummers performing at the National Day Parade • Source: Defence Media Centre

7Due to the prolonged period of standing under the scorching sun, one of the performers was hospitalised. In spite of that, he insisted on carrying on with the rehearsal as he did not want to affect the progress of the team. It was truly a reflection of their dedication towards delivering a spectacular performance.

With fire in their bellies, the day finally came when the MINDS Perform team took the stage and showed their mettle to the nation. Their efforts paid off as the audience, especially the Prime Minister and the President applauded loudly in admiration. The training officers and volunteers who trained with them were moved to tears. Watching them keeping in step and drumming in beat with gusto, it was well worth the effort and hardship they underwent over the past months.

This National Day Performance marked a new beginning for the MINDS Perform team. With such a spectacular performance presented to fellow Singaporeans, this certainly opened doors to more of such opportunities and hopefully in time to come, the golden opportunity to perform on the global stage.

WITH COLOURED SOCKS

CElEBrAtINg worlD DowN SyNDroME DAy

21March 2014 marked the 10th anniversary of World Down Syndrome Day

(WDSD) and MINDS celebrated this cause by wearing multi-coloured socks as a symbolic front and visual campaign to raise awareness. Schools such as United World College, Singapore American School (SAS), Chongfu Primary School and Fernvale Primary School pledged to do the same in the week leading up to WDSD.

Students from SAS went a step further by working together with MINDS clients to tie-dye socks in a bid to raise funds for MINDS. These multi-coloured socks at the schools and centres certainly caught the attention of the public and media such as the Straits Times, Lianhe Zaobao and Channel NewsAsia.

“People with Down Syndrome are just like any other people, this group may not respond to you the way you expect them to but there is a reason for it. And if you understand that, it becomes easier for you to accept them,” said MINDS CEO, Mr Keh Eng Song on Channel NewsAsia.

Nikita, a 17-year-old student of SAS, headed this initiative. She shared with Lianhe Zaobao that she hoped to raise awareness among teenagers and young adults about Down Syndrome and dispel any misconceptions they have about people with Down Syndrome.

On top of this, MINDS staff and members of the public also supported WDSD enthusiastically by taking pictures of themselves, donning their coloured socks alongside clients and sharing it on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

In celebrating WDSD, MINDS hopes to remind the public to be more understanding of people with Down Syndrome.

• MINDS staff and clients displaying their

multi-coloured socks

• Students from SAS and MINDS displaying theirmulti-coloured socks and tie-dyed socks

• Group photo with students from SAS and MINDS

with their tie-dyed socks

NEw INITIaTIvES / SErvIcES

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KEMBANgAN ChAI ChEECOMMUNITY HUB OPENS

to cater to the increasing demand for training and day care needs, MINDS

has a brand new 5th Training & Development Centre (TDC), known as Eunos Training & Development Centre (ETDC) at the new Kembangan-Chai Chee Community Hub. Located just a short walking distance from Eunos MRT, ETDC, which is equipped with training and function rooms to support clients’ training needs, is able to house at least 100 clients. This 5th TDC is currently the largest training centre that MINDS operates.

Guest of Honour, Mr Tan Chuan-Jin, Minister for Manpower, and Member of Parliament representing Marine Parade GRC, officiated the opening of the Kembangan-Chai Chee Community Hub on 30 August 2014, alongside representatives of five voluntary welfare organisations, who will share the space at this Community Hub. The new ETDC will feature a centre stage at the dining room as a platform for clients to exhibit their capabilities and

• MINDS Staff with artworks made by clients

talents. It will also be housing the Home-Based Care Services and Caregivers Support Services Centre to provide the range of services in supporting caregivers.

During the Opening Ceremony, Minister Tan Chuan-Jin toured the MINDS’ exhibition booth that showcased the artworks done by MINDS clients.

The opening of this new ETDC aligns with MINDS’ vision of integrating clients into the community and advancing their well-being.

• Minister Tan Chuan-Jin and representatives of the five voluntary welfare organisations stationed at Kembangan-Chai Chee Community Hub

• MINDS artworks on display at the OpeningCeremony


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MINDS fAMIlIES wIth ChIlDrEN wIthINtEllECtuAl DISABIlIty fIrSt trAvEl ExPErIENCE

five low income families with children with intellectual disability got to travel overseas for the first time. Their trip to Phuket from

20 to 22 May 2015 was made possible through travel management company Carlson Wagonlit Travel’s (CWT) collaboration with the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS).

The aim was simple - to provide an invaluable opportunity for families with little or no financial means or support to travel and create beautiful memories together, as well as to reward caregivers who have dedicated immeasurable amounts of love, effort, and time in raising children with intellectual disability. For the group of five adult beneficiaries and six caregivers, having the support of two MINDS employees and three volunteers from CWT was instrumental as they collaborated to care for the children in an unfamiliar overseas setting.

CEO of MINDS Mr Keh Eng Song explained that planning for a vacation experience for families with children with special needs requires more than just money. “Even if finances permit, caregivers can be reluctant to travel for fear of not being able to handle their child in a foreign land. Having extra support from MINDS and CWT to look after and engage their children allowed caregivers to enjoy some rest and have fun with their kids without worry,” said Mr Keh.

CARLSON WAGONLIT TRAVEL COLLABORATES WITH MINDS TO TAKE FIVE BENEFICIARIES WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY ON THEIR FIRST EVER OVERSEAS TRIP.

• MINDS client feeling satisfied with his batik painting done together with hiscaregiver and a Carlson Wagonlit volunteer


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As one of the volunteers for this trip, CWT Director of Human Resources, Southeast Asia and Hong Kong Ms Alice Loh said, “CWT has long been dedicated to community involvement at the global and local level, contributing to development while leveraging its expertise and skills. In so doing, I am glad that our team was able to help make the dreams for these families come true. It has also been a fantastic experience for me, sharing the happiness with the beneficiaries from MINDS and their caregivers.”

MINDS selected the families who are financially challenged (per capita income less than $800) and have never flown overseas before. Although a few of these caregivers have previously travelled on short trips to Malaysia or Batam, it was never with their children with special needs. Furthermore, the opportunity to travel has been extremely rare for them to come by, as their children required their constant attention at home. Beyond the voluntary support during the trip, CWT also sponsored the return flights from Singapore to Phuket, as well as the expenses for travel insurance, dining, and recreational activities for all the participants. CWT also sought a sponsorship from five-star resort Radisson Blu Plaza Resort Phuket Panwa Beach to provide comfortable and stylish accommodation over the three days of the trip. Mr Keh said, “The degree of planning and organisation from Carlson Wagonlit Travel was immaculate from start to end. They planned and booked everything, tirelessly seeking sponsorships through fund raising from employees and their

It must have been an unnerving experience for many in the group who were

travelling for the first time. As we shared a few sweets with the children to suck on when the plane ascended, I suddenly remembered, warmly, that was how I myself felt comforted by my parents when it was my first time on a plane.”- Miss Loh added

• MINDS clients playing a ball game with the Carlon Wagonlit Travel volunteers at Radisson Blu Plaza Resort Phuket Panwa Beach

industry partners and reassuring our caregivers and staff of the trip through in-depth pre-trip briefings. In Phuket, they arranged for outdoor activities like coconut bowling, kite-making and batik painting for our children while our caregivers rested. All the families came back extremely happy, and some had more confidence to travel with their children in future. We are profoundly grateful to them.”

MINDS would also like to extend our thanks to Radisson Blu Plaza Resort Phuket Panwa Beach for the lovely accommodation and comprehensive facilities that provides such a memorable experience; Emirates Singapore for flying these five beneficiaries who have never taken a flight before and Asian Trails for bringing them to places they have never traversed before.

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• Guest of Honour, Mdm Halimah Yacob makingher opening speech

MINDS CArEgIvErS CoNfErENCE 2014:UNVEILING INSIGHTS ON CARING FOR CLIENTS t

he first ever MINDS Caregivers’ Conference drew successfully to a

close on 23 August 2014 at the Furama RiverFront Hotel after a day of topics discussed, bringing caregivers closer to understanding the needs of persons with intellectual disability.

The conference was graced by Guest of Honour, Mdm Halimah Yacob, Speaker of Parliament, along with a number of senior management staff from the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), the National Council for Social Service (NCSS) and several members from the Executive Committee of MINDS. Over 300 caregivers and staff participated in this conference.

A client service was also set up by MINDS staff, in which volunteers from Jurong Junior College took care of the clients while the caregivers attended the sessions.

• Mr Keh Eng Song, MINDS CEO, giving a speech

• Mr Keh Eng Song, MINDS CEO, presenting a

token of appreciation to Jeffrey Tan, President

of MINDS

Various partners of MINDS came to the conference to promote products that are helpful towards the development and well-being of persons with intellectual disability.

The conference saw a number of guest speakers including professionals from MINDS Allied Health Professionals (AHP), who provided insights on home care for clients. Issues that were discussed included the Mental Capacity Act, Care Services, Residential Services, Vocational Pathways, Caregivers Stress Management, etc.

The Conference ended with a Question-&-Answer Panel Discussion formed by MINDS President, Mr Jeffrey Tan; MINDS

CEO, Mr Keh Eng Song and Executive Committee Member, Mr Mike Lee. Some topics discussed revolved around the future direction and plans of the organisation.

The inaugural Caregivers’ Conference organised by MINDS was very well received, with more than 80 per cent of the caregivers indicating their satisfaction with the conference’s choice of topics. More than 90 per cent of the attendees are interested to attend similar workshops and conferences in the future. We are definitely keeping our eyes peeled for the next conference!


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five years ago, Benny Sun, Tham Kar Soon and Low Boon Chin moved into a four-

room rental flat in Bedok in eager anticipation to build their own nest in the East.

Today, they have moved to a new flat in Bukit Merah after the lease in Bedok ended.

The three musketeers were among the first tenants of a four-room rental flat secured to realise the aim of MINDS Community Group Home (CGH) project.

MINDS CGH project was initiated in 2005 to train higher functioning clients with intellectual disability to live independently and be integrated into the community, in which the designated HDB rental flats are retrofitted with disabled-friendly facilities.

In their initial phase, the tenants would stay in a mock-up unit in MINDSville to train them on independent living skills. They were consequently moved to a CGH where they get to leverage on existing community services and network.

The training for the clients is arduous yet the rewards are immeasurable. The clients will have to learn and practise beyond what was taught in its current Hostel Core Training Programme. Yet, what they received is a life filled with confidence and pride of ownership.

Travel and community activities The residents under this project learn how to travel independently, cross the road safely, take public transport, top up their EZ-Link card and even make purchases at grocery stores. The residents also partake in daily community activities such as grocery shopping, seeking doctor’s consultation and even enjoying simple leisure activities such as running and exercising at the communal fitness area.

Daily living and Social Skills To be self-sufficient, the residents learn to clean their home and do their own laundry. They are also taught to seek help from appropriate personnel during a power failure or emergency situations. To ensure complete

MINDS CoMMuNIty grouP hoME: uPDAtES

• Tham Kar Soon cooking his lunch at home

integration into society, they are also taught social skills such as maintaining appropriate eye contact, tone of voice and sense of space.

Living in CGH is a dream come true for many who teach in MINDS, for it is a significant step to bringing these clients closer to society and eventually, fully integrated into society. Witnessing how they enjoy the simple pleasures of life such as freedom to choose the food to eat or movie to watch is what spurs the training officers on – that every little effort made, will help make this dream come true for persons with intellectual disability.

• Benny Sun enjoying local delights at the hawker centre

• Low Boon Chin revising his work in his room


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MINDS Myg fIrSt hEAlth SCrEENINg

• Consultation with General Practitioners

• MINDS client playing a game at one of the stations

• MINDS client playing a game at one of the stations

on 29 March 2014, MINDS MYG organised their first health screening session for MINDS clients, their families and caregivers.

In conjunction with a carnival co-organised with the Joo Chiat Neighbourhood Committee @ Marine Parade, the turnout was overwhelming. More than 200 clients, caregivers and volunteers attended this symbolic event held at SIA-MINDS Employment Development Centre (SMEDC). There were close to 30 medical practitioners who volunteered for the session, encompassing general practitioners for health consultation, dieticians, first-aiders and the like.

Held at the multi-purpose hall, the carnival offered a wide range of activities for attendees to enjoy during intermittent breaks. The seasoned MINDS MYG volunteers expertly engaged and taught the clients how to play the different games. Clients were thrilled with the prizes they won.

Caregivers who came with MINDS clients were extremely satisfied with the session. “Health screening helps to detect illness in its early stages; this allows us to dole out appropriate treatments or measures to tackle any health problems we have. However, this can be costly for some families. MINDS MYG is very gracious to organise this free health

screening session for us as the cost to go for one may take a toll on some families,” shared one caregiver who attended with MINDS client from IEDC.

To quote John Holmes, “There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.” It was indeed gratifying to be able to help so many!

This health screening session is the first ever organised by MINDS MYG. We are glad that

this session helped bring us closer to the clients and their families and learned about their health. It also gives us the relevant knowledge and skills to serve them better. For example, we could better cater food that adheres to their dietary requirement or render first-aid in the event of emergencies. We are glad to know the clients enjoyed the session as much as we did..”- said one MINDS MYG volunteer

volUNTEErINg & oUTrEacH

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MacPherson elderly residents were in for a pleasant surprise as the volunteers who came to give a facelift to their

studio apartments were clients from SIA-MINDS Employment Development Centre (SMEDC). This meaningful project was arranged by Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore and Habitat for Humanity Singapore who teamed up with SMEDC clients to tidy, clean and repaint their studio apartments.

SMEDC clients and volunteers of Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore scrubbed floors and washed kitchen appliances that were filled with oil and grime. “Some of the elderly residents have poor eyesight and could not see the grime that is on the appliances. We helped to clean the nooks and crannies, which may contain germs that are potentially hazardous to their health,” said Karen Er, Supervisor of SMEDC.

Clients together with the corporate partners also helped with the painting work, giving a fresh new look to the studio apartments.

The elderly residents were also presented with hampers, which further brightened their day. “We are touched by everyone, especially MINDS clients, who helped to clean our houses and accompanied us. In spite of their disability, they want to do as much as they can to give back to the community, which we are so fortunate to receive. I am thankful for their help and companionship,” said one of the elderly residents.

It was a fulfilling activity for MINDS clients, for they struck new friendships with volunteers from Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore and Habitat for Humanity Singapore, and made the Macpherson residents very happy.

MINDS ClIENtS rEfurBISh MACPhErSoN hoMES of ElDErly

• MINDS Volunteers cleaning the kitchen

• Volunteers taking a group photo with an elderly resident

* Volunteers taking a group photo with an elderly resident


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MINDS SMEDC AND AtDC ruNIN wIth lINKEDIN

Every morning starts with a new page of your story, and it is no different for our clients from SIA-MINDS Employment Development Centre (SMEDC) and Ang Mo Kio Training & Development Centre (ATDC). As the sun rises to beckon the start of RunIn, a marathon organised by LinkedIn at MacRitchie Reservoir Park, 40 of them were up and ready to kick start a day of activities filled with fun and laughter.

the organisers of RunIn planned a two-km route for MINDS clients within

the MacRitchie Reservoir Park with games along the way. MINDS clients, while basking in the morning’s warmth, thoroughly enjoyed the games played with the LinkedIn volunteers.

In one of the games, clients had to mimic different poses the volunteers made. The poses were so comical that it roused much laughter among the participants.

As MINDS clients walked leisurely on the paths, they got up close with native creatures of the park. They were rewarded with rare sights of the Common Sun Skink and Clouded Monitor Lizard that were lounging lazily under the warm sun. The clients watched in amazement how the squirrels leapt

gracefully from tree to tree.

RunIn is the second year LinkedIn collaborated with MINDS as part of its community involvement initiatives. Besides organising RunIn, LinkedIn volunteered

• MINDS client playing blindfold at one of the stations

• Volunteers elaborating about the rules of the game to a MINDS client

in MINDS centres and schools, organising numerous birthday celebrations for our clients. We are deeply thankful to LinkedIn for going above and beyond in helping our clients in every way.

• MINDS clients and volunteers posing for the camera


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In 2014, undergraduates from the three local universities have, in many ways, contributed to the beneficiaries of MINDS, touching the hearts of many. It is heartening to see local undergraduates taking the time and trouble to make a difference in the lives of many. MINDS clients enjoyed the company of these passionate young adults who are filled with so much energy, at the same time; and got to practise the skills they were taught at school. The public learned more about MINDS and the funds raised went a long way in contributing to the well-being of our beneficiaries.

NUS “get lost” Exhibition raises awareness

In a bid to raise awareness and drive recruitment for MINDS volunteers, the students

from the National University of Singapore (NUS) who are on the NUS-Lead Programme, a programme designed to develop the leadership potential of students, organised an exhibition within the campus on 14 October 2014.

CoMMuNIty MINDED uNDErgrADuAtES SuPPort MINDS

Titled “Get Lost”, the exhibition invited campus students to enter a maze interspersed with photos and captions, depicting the struggles and joys experienced by volunteers and caregivers when caring for persons with intellectual disability. The students gathered materials from interviews conducted across a few weekends with volunteers and caregivers from MINDSville@Napiri and MINDS MYG. The exhibition that

• Craft Items displayed at the “Get Lost” exhibition in NUS

portrayed their struggles and triumphs were stirring, leaving many of the students and staff much afterthought.


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• Presenting caricature drawn for Guest of Honour, Ms Ellen Lee

NTU raised Funds through Touch of the Hearts (ToTs) Event

the Nanyang Technology University (NTU) Hall of Residence Four organised

an annual fund-raising event at Causeway Point, raising more than S$15,000 for MINDS. Dubbed as “Touch of the Hearts”, the event was held on 23 and 24 August 2014, offering a gamut of games, snacks and retail options. Gracing the event was Guest of Honour, Ms Ellen Lee, Member of Parliament for Sembawang GRC as well as MINDS CEO, Mr Keh Eng Song.

MINDS Craft was invited to set up a booth at the carnival to sell their craft items exquisitely handmade by our beneficiaries. The Taiko Drummers too, performed for the event, which has garnered positive feedback from our clients and caregivers. Our deepest gratitude goes to NTU Hall of Residence Four for raising funds for MINDS.

Uni-Y SMU raises clients’ Spirits with river Safari outing

Students from University YMCA @ Singapore Management

University, affectionately known as Uni-Y SMU, a university service club of YMCA Singapore in SMU,

brought 20 of MINDS clients on an outing to River Safari on

15 August 2014.

The clients visited the freshwater aquariums that were teeming

with an amazing range of freshwater marine life and saw

Singapore stars, Jia Jia and Kai Kai at the Giant Panda Forest.

They were also particularly thrilled as they watched the Red

Pandas happily circling the forest.

Through this fruitful outing, our clients have not only made

new friends with volunteers of Uni-Y SMU, they were also

given the opportunity to apply essential life skills including

travelling, being mindful of their own safety and taking

responsibility for their own belongings. Most importantly, the

interesting sights they saw at River Safari brought big smiles to

all of them.

• MINDS clients and Uni-Y SMU volunteers

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• Ms Low Yen Ling, Parlimentary Secretary,

working alongside one of our MINDS clients

employed at the Uniqlo Suntec City outlet

StuDENtS froM fgS gEtS to ShoP

Clients will have something to look forward beyond classroom learning – Uniqlo has partnered with MINDS to provide an exclusive

shopping experience for them on a regular basis, which will be assisted by their team of retail assistants.

Uniqlo’s second shopping experience, known as “In-Store Shopping Experience”, was held at the Uniqlo Suntec City outlet this time with students from MINDS Fernvale Gardens School. It was attended by Guest of Honour, Ms Low Yen Ling, Parliament Secretary for Social and Family Development, Culture, Community and Youth alongside Human Resource (HR) personnel from various industries. In conjunction with SG Enable’s Learning Journey, this experience also aimed to highlight to the HR personnel the capabilities of persons with disabilities that they too, can make good employees. Two of our MINDS clients who were employed by Uniqlo, have displayed such high levels of diligence and aptitude in their work that they left a deep impression on the HR personnel.

AT UNIQLO

• Happy faces of our FGS students with

Ms Low Yen Ling, Parlimantary Secretary,

and Uniqlo staff

During the In-Store Shopping Experience, Uniqlo will give the clients S$100 store credits to spend on clothing of their choice. Our clients can use this opportunity to learn to buy within their means through simple calculation and essential buys.

By organising these shopping trips, MINDS and Uniqlo hope to empower the clients with key decision skills such as choosing what they need over what they want. Not only do they get to apply what they learned in school in real-life situations, they get to bring home and enjoy the purchases they made for the day as well. This collaboration will see a large group of clients benefiting from its series of In-Store Shopping Experience.

The In-Store Shopping Experience garnered huge popularity from MINDS schools. Currently, Uniqlo is working to design similar programmes and experiences for MINDS’ adult clients to enhance their skills.

• CEO Mr Keh Eng Song with one of the bubbly

FGS students

coMMUNIT Y & corpor aTE SUpporT

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MINDS SuCCESS Story: MoDEl ClIENt IN oPEN EMPloyMENt

Stepping into Uniqlo at ION Orchard, one would invariably feel the warm

welcome as Mr Jason Goh smiles radiantly to greet customers entering the store. When he is not at the storefront, he would be seen either attending to customers, bringing them to the latest store arrivals or replenishing stocks from the storeroom.

Jason Goh, the 24-year-old retail associate, is a “shining star” of MINDS for his stellar performance at Uniqlo despite his intellectual

• Jason Goh, now a proud employee of Uniqlo

disability. Ever since joining Uniqlo in August 2012, he paved the ways for many of our clients who are now employed by Uniqlo.

Jason was first enrolled in MINDS Lee Kong Chian Gardens School, then Woodlands Employment Development Centre. He worked as a dishwasher for three years before joining Uniqlo in August 2012. The Uniqlo staff trained and mentored him for the job. Mr Jaieden Shen, Head of Hi-Job! (Job Placement / Support Programme) in MINDS, helped

him along by sharing ideas and tips with his co-workers on how to better interact with him.

Jason’s diligent performance at work impressed Uniqlo immensely that the store manager, Mr Takao Hashimoto sang praises of him. He even won a customer service award, the first for a person with disability to receive an award from Uniqlo, who has more than 800 stores worldwide. The winning of award assents his capabilities and determination to transcend his limits and excel in the job. The sense of pride he receives from working in Uniqlo is immeasurable.

Uniqlo’s commitment to hiring persons with special needs is part of their Corporate Social Responsibility Programme, to hire one for each of their outlets. Believing that each and every individual is unique, they hope to bring out the best of every individual.

Companies like Uniqlo echoes the job landscape in which more companies are now more receptive towards hiring persons with special needs in their workforce, thanks to the increased awareness of successful cases, as shared by SG Enable’s assistant manager, Or Beng Hua.

“They are hardworking and unlikely to job-hop,” says Mr Shen. Indeed, Jason goes to the store three hours before it opens at 11am!


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EMPowErINg AND ENgAgINg ClIENtS: MAYBANK GLOBAL CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY DAY 2014

• Students and staff of MINDS engaging in acompetitve game of human foosball with Maybank Management

• Cheque Presented to Community Chest for MINDSby Maybank


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lined with colourful flags, the participants were getting ready as they carried pails of

water to race against each other to the end of the line. A larger-than-life inflatable foosball sat in the field’s centre while children stood at their respective positions and turned into life-sized foosball men. The spectator area was packed with attendees as they waited with bated breath for the action to unfold at the Maybank Global Corporate Responsibility Day.

The event that was held on 27 September 2014, saw more than 3,000 participants from Maybank, ComChest and MINDS with more than 200 students from MINDS schools participating in the exciting games. Guest of Honour, Mr Chan Chun Sing, Minister for Social and Family Development graced the event along with Mr Keh Eng Song, MINDS CEO.

The carnival was held outdoors with booths selling a medley of food and games for families to play with their children. A trackless train painted in vibrant shades of colour was the main draw, attracting many children and families to ride on it.

In the relay races, students from MINDS Lee Kong Chian Gardens School emerged as the winner for scoring the most points.

Maybank had also raised S$100,000 for MINDS through ComChest. A cheque was presented by Mr Lim Hong Tat, Maybank CEO in the presence of Guest of Honour, Minister Chan and Mr Sim Gim Guan, CEO of National Council of Social Service to Ms Ng Ling Ling, Managing Director of ComChest and Mr Keh Eng Song, CEO of MINDS.

In addition to their fund-raising efforts for MINDS, Maybank recently launched its M-Powering MINDS Volunteer Challenge, a two-year programme aimed to help people with disabilities to move towards achieving greater independence in their daily lives. This programme will see the bank’s volunteers working with MINDS on a series of activities that focuses on community mobility and social skills, equipping clients with more essential independent living skills. It is expected that more than 200 MINDS clients would benefit from this programme.

MINDS CEO, Mr Keh Eng Song said, “Not all our beneficiaries have opportunities to showcase their talents. A number of them require more care and development and as such, their opportunities become even more limited. It is great to see Maybank coming forward and proposing

this long-term partnership which will see a number of volunteering programmes being organised in the coming months. I am sure that this collaboration with Maybank will greatly enhance the integration of persons with special needs into our society.”

Our deepest gratitude to Maybank for making this event such an enjoyable one for MINDS clients!

hP CElEBrAtES 25th ANNIvErSAry wIth MINDS I

t is amazing how time flies and that Hewlett-Packard (HP) celebrated their 25th year in Singapore last year. For this special celebration,

HP held an exclusive two-day carnival for their staff on 28 and 29 October 2014 at their premises on Depot Road. They extended invitation to MINDS, roping in MINDS Craft, MINDS Bakers, MINDS Perform and MINDS Wash to participate in their celebration.

MINDS Bakers put up their signature cookies for sale, which were very well received. At the MINDS Craft booth, clients skilfully demonstrated the art of pointillism, a technique of dotting art, which impressed many of the staff in attendance.

• MINDS clients with HP staff and volunteers • MINDS Perform Team together with HP staff putting up flash mob

• MINDS clients together with HP staff washing the cars • HP staff trying the cookies baked by MINDS Bakers

MINDS Perform team joined in the celebration and put up flash mobs at different intervals during the two-day carnival. Volunteers from HP Singapore together with the MINDS Perform team, immersed in the celebratory cheer as they sang and danced around the different booths.

The team from MINDS Wash, who came on the second day of the carnival, busied themselves with the long queue of cars waiting to be washed by the “experts”.

We sincerely thank HP Singapore for including MINDS at this event.


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this book is a compilation of photographs of people, landscapes and city scenes that Minister Tan Chuan-Jin captured during

his many travels across Amsterdam, Siem Reap, Moscow and other places of interests. An extensive traveller with an eye for aesthetics and photography as passion, Minister Tan decided to use his hobby to support good causes, benefiting the community.

More than 300 copies were sold since the book was launched in May 2014, and on 30 August 2014, the night of the official launch, a silent auction was held where eight framed prints were successfully auctioned. The Golitha Falls photo which was displayed at the MINDS booth, was bid by Ms Olivia Lum, Executive Chairman and Group CEO of Hyflux Ltd.

Minister Tan in his pursuit for the perfect picture, experimented with different textures and colours to capture the mood evoked by the scenes that were presented before his eyes.

Drawn to nature, Minister Tan tries to capture the essence of the moment that tells the full gamut of emotions experienced. He admires Ansel Adam’s capability to capture the different details of nature that are perfectly composed.

Through his photography hobby, he hopes to support some of the people whom he has met and the causes they champion.

MINIStEr tAN ChuAN JIN PuBlIShES trAvEl PhotogrAPhy BooKFOR CHARITY AND SUPPORTS MINDS As the book, “The World We Live In”, was passed around the training room, MINDS clients clamoured around to admire the photographs that were taken by Mr Tan Chuan-Jin, Minister for Manpower.

• A client of SMEDC, admired the photo taken at Golitha Falls in Bodmin Moor atUnited Kingdom. The framed print was bought by Executive Chairman and Group CEO of Hyflux Ltd, Olivia Lum

• The Book, “The World We Live In” published by Minister for Manpower, Mr Tan Chuan-Jin


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50 for 50: youNg ChANgEMAKErS SuPPort MINDS50 for 50, an SG50 movement initiated by The Social Co. that aims to bring together 50 changemakers under 35 years old, to raise funds for their nominated charity. Funds raised by changemakers will be matched dollar for dollar by corporations. On top of this, the sum will further double with the support from Community Chest’s Care and Share @ SG50 programme. This movement aims to change the mindset that Generation-Y people (under 35) are a bunch of selfish, entitled young people.

true to their cause, one young changemaker, Mr Alexander Fang,

Assistant Vice President, Solutions Partners at Credit Suisse, successfully appealed for funds in support for MINDS beneficiaries, raising an incredible sum of S$81,602.

Dubbed as “Make a Reel Impact”, Mr Fang invited his friends and family members for a private movie screening at the Platinum Suites in Cathay Cineplex. Before the movie screening, he showed a video that illustrated the triumphs and tribulations of clients at MINDS.

Mr Fang shared, “My father passed away when I was five, and coming from a single-parent family unit, I want these individuals to feel the warmth and stability of being in an integrated family unit. MINDS reaches out to the people with intellectual disability, especially those in the lower socio-economic groups, as these families are generally unable to cope with managing such individuals. Through special education and teaching them a set of very basic vocational skills, these people can and will be able to live relatively normal lives together with their families.”

Support from friends and family members poured in.

With the funds raised, Mr Fang hoped that it will help fund MINDS clients’ training for employment, empower volunteers to conduct more meaningful activities and reinvigorate the premises for an even more beautiful environment for them to live.

PREENK, an online womenswear label, along with Coast-to-Coast Alumni, an alumni association made up of young and promising graduates who lived and worked abroad of Singapore, took up the baton and attempted to match dollar-for-dollar the funds raised by Mr Fang.


• Changemaker Alexander Fang organised

“Make A Reel Impact” at the Cathay

Cineleisure Platinum Suites

• MINDS client showcasing their skills in

dotting art

• Eating and bonding with MINDS clients

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prEENKWith the grit to make a change, PREENK raised S$13,220 and organised a luncheon for clients from Idea Employment Development Centre (IEDC) with their partners and clients.

MINDS Craft was tasked to set up a pop-up store to showcase their artwork. From mosaic tiling to glass painting, it was all it could to contain the excitement and fascination of the onlookers.

The luncheon started off with casual ice-breaking games, where clients had to do different handshakes with different

• Roseline, Co-founder of PREENK, with her brother playing Hand Shake. • Source: facebook.com/PREENK

people. Throughout the game, the chemistry was flawless as the clients performed different handshakes with the PREENK volunteers. Lunch was deliciously sweet with the company of a bunch of young professionals who were so full of vigour. JJ and The Paperplanes was an icing on the cake as they captivated the attendees with their beautiful renditions of Christmas carols.

coast-to-coast alumni Coast-to-Coast Alumni held an intimate cocktail event at Mezza9 for its members to celebrate the festive season and at the same time, not forgetting to contribute

to good causes. Members of Coast-to-Coast Alumni rallied support and raised more than S$5,000 of funds for MINDS.

As the sounds of revelry issued into the night, new friendships were forged, sharing a common goal of building a better future for persons with disability. We hope their examples will inspire more influencers in the Singapore community and beyond.

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MINDS Christmas Stocking Challenge is back for the fourth year. The

Social Enterprise team put their heads together to select a set of stationery, complete with cookies from MINDS Bakers as presents to put into the Christmas stockings.

To prepare for this challenge, MINDS Bakers team baked masses of cookies topped with colourful M&M’s chocolates that certainly helped put a smile on the beneficiaries’ faces.

This year, white stockings, which were inspired by MINDS client, Mr Aldie Sujak, were used to bring out the colourful Christmas symbols on the stockings. White, a colour at its purest, symbolises Mr Aldie’s pure devotion in replicating beautiful scenes as best as he could from pictures and photos.

MINDS ChrIStMAS StoCKINg ChAllENgE 2014

• MINDS clients with volunteers for MINDS Christmas Stocking Challenge• MINDS clients and volunteers presenting their completed artwork

Volunteers from various corporations such as Soup Restaurant, Standard Chartered Bank, Agility, AkzoNobel, Barclays and Evolve MMA pooled in their efforts to bring a touch of Christmas cheer to the beneficiaries.

With combined effort, the team managed to fill 6,000 stockings with presents and delivered them to 25 voluntary welfare organisations, comprising Arc Children’s Centre, Blue Cross Thong Kheng Home as well as MINDS’ own beneficiaries.

The MINDS Christmas Stocking Challenge aims to empower people with special needs by instilling confidence and equipping them with skills by making stockings for other beneficiaries. Through this charity project, clients not only get to engage the community for volunteerism and donations, they are also involved in the act of giving, which was rewarding for the clients as well.


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Many of the trainees had taken the effort to dress up to the nines, reflecting the vibrant colours and cultures from all over the world.

RSAF’s COL Jonathan Tan, Commander Participation Command (PC); COL Joseph Tan, Commander DAG and Commander TASG/HD ODG; COL Yap Kwee Chye; General Manager of Social Service Office (SSO) @Sengkang, Serangoon & Hougang, Ms Lim Lay Ling and Director of SureFood Pte Ltd & Samsui Services Pte Ltd, Mr Dicky Seow, came to support the annual party. MINDS Vice President, Mr Robin Chua, Chairman of MINDS Social Enterprise and Employment Development (SEED) Committee, Mr Huang Cheng Eng as well as MINDS CEO, Mr Keh Eng Song attended the event as well.

The annual party kicked off with a rendition of Dancing, Singing & Skits by a group of trainees. Mr Jamael, a professional singer, also chipped in to the party as he performed songs such as We will Rock You, Macarena and Everything I Do, I Do It for You, serenading the onlookers with his melodious tunes.

One of the biggest highlights in the annual party was the catwalk performance by the trainees. The trainees graced the walkway with such poise, leaving the audience in much awe.

COL Jonathan Tan, Ms Lim Lay Ling, Mr Dicky Seow and Mr Huang Cheng Eng took turns to present various awards and prizes to clients. Among other deserving recipients, client Darren Ong won the Best Trainee Award while client Tan Ko Hin was named the Most Improved Trainee for his working attitude and behaviour.

IEDC ANNuAl PArty 2014: ArouND thE worlD IN A DAyOn this momentous day, 300 trainees from MINDS Idea Employment Development Centre (IEDC) had the rare opportunity to “travel around the world” on 21 November 2014 as they celebrated their annual party held at Pin Si Restaurant, in SAFRA Yishun.

MINDS CEO, Mr Keh Eng Song presented senior staff Mr Joseph Lim a 10-year Long Service Award and Ms Catherine Teo, Mr Simon Chng and Ms Jamiatin bte Asane, the five-year Long Service Award in appreciation of their dedication and passion.

Mr Cedric Chew, Manager of IEDC said, “We are honoured to have practically the entire leadership of the RSAF PC including three colonels to grace our party. This is the first time we have had such strong and high-level support for an annual trainees’ party. We hope to grow our working relationship with our supporters and open more doors of opportunities for our trainees.”

The annual party ended on a high note as the trainees and attendees danced away to songs such as Kungfu Fighting, Macarena, and I Will Survive, among other crowd favourites, singing along free-spiritedly to the songs played.

• IEDC clients performing on stage

acTIvITIES UpDaTES

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SMEDC ANNuAl PArty 2014ROCK & ROLL WITH SMEDC

the annual party at SIA-MINDS Employment Development Centre

(SMEDC) was a tad different this year. They had specially fitted a dance floor at the Hilltop Garden Restaurant in Civil Service Club, inviting all to dance and party together. Trainees and staff came with much fanfare: donning party wigs in vibrant colours and novelty glasses to complete the “Rock & Roll” look.

This year, SMEDC invited a total of 400 clients from Track & Development, Social Enterprise, Probation Unit and Open Employment, providing a respite from their daily routine.

Staff of SMEDC ushered in the Rock & Roll party with an amazing dance performance of La Song. The music deejay continued to

notch up the atmosphere with a string of rock and roll tracks to keep the atmosphere lively throughout, playing What a Wonderful World, as well as the beautiful Chinese song, The Moon Represents My Heart by Teresa Teng. The most memorable dance performance had to be the Silver Bullet Entertainment who performed the famous Korean song, which went viral for its catchy lyrics and groovy dance moves, Gentleman.

The audience were kept engaged with the Photo Hunt Game where they were tasked to identify the staff whose childhood photos were flashed on screen. When the emcee revealed the answers, the audience was so tickled as they could not believe how some of the staff looked in their younger days.

• SMEDC clients and staff pose for a photo

Mr Muhammed Fadhli was the luckiest one during the annual party as he snagged the top prize for the lucky draw, winning himself a Portable Air Cooler.

Mr Roy Ho Teik Ann, Ms Genevieve Soh Jia Yi, Mr Fu Ji Ming bagged the Most Improved Trainee Award for exceeding expectations in their fields. Mr Lau Win San and Mr Lim Boon Han were awarded the Long Service Award having been with us for 17 years!

The attendees were given a customised water bottle with their name on it. All good things come to an end as the staff and clients bade farewell at the end of a splendid party, but we all know, the next party will rock everyone’s senses in time to come!

• Psy’s doppelganger from Silver Bullet Entertainment performing Gentleman, Korean pop song

acTIvITIES UpDaTES

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• WEDC staff performing on stage

the annual party of WEDC was held on 27 November 2014. The ballroom at Orchid

Country Club was spruced up with full-bloomed flowers, evoking a convivial Hawaiian ambience.

In Hawaii, “Ohana” means family, and family means nobody gets left behind, or forgotten. At WEDC Annual Party, everyone was invited and 309 clients attended the party along with more than 50 staff and invited guests.

Ms Maria Cheng Wen Jia, a client of WEDC currently on the Open Employment Scheme, delivered the opening speech, in which she shared about her experiences working outside of MINDS.

She brought up how she overcame

AlohA wEDC ohANA ANNuAl PArty 2014

obstacles with the help rendered by the training officers. It was a moment when the training officers and staff were moved to tears as her words touched the hearts of many.

The attendees proceeded to play games such as Bingo, a number matching game. The atmosphere was so hyped up that when the final number was announced, some attendees got so excited and exclaimed loudly in surprise.

The biggest highlight of the annual party was the amazing beatbox performance delivered by MediaCorp artiste, Piratheeban, showcasing his talents of controlling sounds with his mouth and synchronising the beats with his hands.

Mr Ng Mun-Wai, Manager of WEDC, said, “This year, we decided to rope in the clients who are currently in the Open Employment Scheme to share about their experiences working outside of MINDS. It was truly a touching moment when they shared about their experiences. We could really feel our efforts have paid off and we take pride in knowing that we played a small part in making a difference in their lives.”

The annual party of WEDC was a memorable event where it not only pulled the heartstrings of many with Maria’s opening speech, but also the games played and the performances were eventful.

acTIvITIES UpDaTES

!

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on 9 October 2014, 25 clients from Napiri Training & Development Centre (NTDC) were excited as they looked forward to go for a

Changi Airport Tour, meticulously planned by KAPPS Consulting Pte Ltd, a local IT consulting company. The day began with the arrival of the volunteers.

We conducted a briefing for the volunteers, followed by pairing of our clients with the volunteers. Our clients were thrilled to have a buddy for the whole day. Everyone eagerly boarded the bus that would take them to the Airport.

We walked to the Viewing Gallery at Terminal Two where we began with an ice-breaker game led by the volunteers. We tossed a ball around and wherever it landed, our client, together with his or her buddy, would have to stand up and introduce themselves.

Next, we took the Skytrain to Terminal One. Our clients were extremely intrigued. Along the way, they took photos with the volunteers who were patient and

KAPPS CONSULTING PTE LTD

ChANgI AIrPort outINg wIth

• Group outing with KAPPS volunteers

attentive, ensuring the clients never left their sight.

At Terminal One, our clients enjoyed looking at the aeroplanes and even exclaimed excitedly when they saw a plane touched down. We also had some art and craft activities to keep everyone entertained.

Soon, it was time for lunch. We took the Skytrain to Terminal Three and proceeded to McDonald’s where lunch was kindly sponsored by KAPPS, who ensured that our clients were fed well.

We went back to NTDC and continued to engage the rest of the clients who did not go for the outing. The day ended with a birthday celebration for our clients and volunteers.

All too soon, the day came to an end. We presented our volunteers with tokens made by our clients. It was a pleasurable outing for our clients and they look forward to more outings in the future.

acTIvITIES UpDaTES

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the year 2014 marked another milestone for MINDS as we adopted the Key Word Sign (Australia) as the common signing approach

to enhance communication among our clients, caregivers and staff. With an aim to create awareness and encourage the use of key word signs across MINDS, representatives from each school and centre hunkered down and kicked off a series of initiatives to inculcate a signing environment.

Initiatives to Encourage Key word Sign at Schools/centresTo implement this successfully, all staff and families needed to embrace the signing approach. The Key Word Sign Committee put up posters featuring “Sign of the Week” and “Fun Signs” in strategic places. They also conducted “50 Core Key Word Signs at MINDS” workshop to equip staff with the knowledge.

At MINDS Dinner & Dance on 16 May 2014, it was enlightening to witness an awesome retro performance put together by staff of the adult

MINDS EMBrACINg KEy worD SIgN

Training & Development Centres and MINDSville Home & Hostel using Key Word Signs whilst dancing to the foot-tapping music!

our commitment to Key word SignAs part of the Key Word Sign implementation plan across our organisation, MINDS identified and sent two staff, Ms Priya Sridhar, ex-Speech Therapist of MINDS Lee Kong Chian Gardens School and Ms Shannen Yue, Training Officer of SIA-MINDS Employment Development Centre, for the Key Word Sign Presenter Certification Training in Melbourne, Australia in October 2014. It was indeed an exchange of knowledge and learning experience!

Moving forward, the Key Word Sign Committee will strive to elevate Key Word Sign to the next level within MINDS. Stay tuned and do join us in key word signing whenever you see the “Sign of the Week” & “Fun Signs” along the corridors of the MINDS schools and centres!

• MINDS Key Word Sign Committee 2014

what is Key word SignKey Word Sign is an unaided Augmentative and Alternative form of Communication (AAC) derived from Makaton, Australia, to better help persons with intellectual disabilities. Its practice is not new and has been developed for individuals with multiple and severe disabilities in the United Kingdom since the 1970s. Key Word Sign supports the communication

development of adults and children who are unable to speak or whose speech is difficult to understand. The use of Key Word Sign is not intended to replace speech at all; rather, it is embraced as a total communication approach where the communication partner would speak and sign at the same time, and use any visual referent (e.g. object, picture, and/or photograph).

• MINDS Representatives at the KeyWord Sign Certification Training in Australia (Top row, first on left: Shannen Yue; Second row, second on

right: Priya Sridhar)

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Source: The Straits Times © Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. Permission required for reproduction

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