The foundation held a tea reception at TCTM on 4 July 2013, for our 23 scholars from MGS and ACS schools and 4 bursary award recipients from LBKM. The tea was attended by Dr Tan, Ms Chew Gek Khim, Mr Chew Kwee San and our special guests Dr Chew Beng Keng and his inaugural bursary award recipient, Madangopal Narayanan.
Apart from receiving their tokens, the students also participated in a dialogue “Social Service in Action”, where we invited the heads of three non-profit organisations, Rachel House, Students Care Service and Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition as they shared with the students their experiences and involvement in community work, both overseas and locally. This platform aimed to engage and sparked interest in students on creating a meaningful impact to the community. On the other hand, the speakers were also appreciative of the opportunity to share about their work.
As always, we shared the legacy of our late founder through the mansion tour and provided light refreshments for all.
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TCTF collaborated with National Kidney Foundation (NKF) and Thye Hua Kwan Family Service Centre (THK FSC) @ Tanjong Pagar for Project Cheer on 3 and 5 June 2013. Held over two days and themed “Love Nature, Love Ourselves”, the programme helped to bring cheer to the patients at NKF’s Serangoon Dialysis Centre while raising awareness on positive environmental action dovetailing with World Environment Day on 5th June.
On the first day, children from THK FSC @ Tanjong Pagar and our volunteers visited the Kidney Discovery Centre at NKF Centre to learn more about kidney failure, its treatment as well as kidney disease prevention. They also decorated potted plants using recycled materials as gifts for the patients at the Serangoon Dialysis Centre.
Subsequently on 5th June, the children and volunteers led the patients at NKF Serangoon Dialysis Centre in a time of singing and games. The personalised potted plants were presented to the patients and a mini-greenhouse was presented to the nurses and staff at the centre as a token of our appreciation for their hard work.
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On Sunday, 12 May 2013, TCTF invited its beneficiaries and guests to the “Tan Chin Tuan Music-For-All: SSO Classics in the Park – Mother’s Day Concert”. The public concert, held at the Botanic Gardens, drew an audience of 5,000 to join us for an evening of great music. Children enjoyed playing with balloons given out by our scholar volunteers before the concert.
During the 60-minute concert, SSO Conductor Joshua Kangming Tan led the 70-member orchestra in performing several compositions, including “Songs My Mother Taught Me” which was dedicated to all mothers. Stalks of carnations were presented to mothers during this piece as a gesture of appreciation for all mothers on their special day – a pleasant surprise for all!
Our Council Members interacted with representatives from various beneficiary-organisations. Through the emcee, TCTF and SSO introduced the seven local charities (Industrial and Services Co-operative Society Ltd, Lions Befrienders, Muslim Kidney Action Association, National Kidney Foundation, RSVP Singapore, Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association and Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped) that were present to create greater awareness of their services.
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On Wednesday, 24 April 2013, the foundation, together with 11 volunteers brought our “More Than Words” Programme to 19 primary school children, aged 9 to 12, from the Families-in-Transit and Tuition Programmes of Lakeside Family Centre. In line with TCTF’s focus on education and community development, the programme was initiated in 2013 in the hope of encouraging better communication between individuals that stems from the heart.
Themed “My Favourite Things!” the children were tasked to save an imaginary character, Julie, by finding her memories. The volunteers, who planned the whole programme, incorporated elements of story-telling, comic writing and role-playing in the literacy games. With every successful completed task, the children became a step closer in helping Julie regain her memory.
The two hour session included a tea break treat by the foundation where the children enjoyed the puffs and cakes whilst interacting with their fellow ‘teacher’ volunteers. The session proved to be a success when the children claimed that it was educational, yet fun and that generally, they felt more confident communicating with others now!
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On Wednesday, 17 April 2013, the Tan Chin Tuan Foundation (TCTF) brought Project Cheer to 70 elderly from St. Luke’s ElderCare (Clementi Branch) and Lions Befrienders (Ghim Moh) Seniors Activity Centre.
In collaboration with Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences, the foundation initiated the integration of Project Cheer as part of the Freshman Orientation Programme to inculcate in these students the spirit of volunteerism as they enter a new chapter of their academic life. Moreover, the two chosen charities are located near their school so that these students can hopefully continue volunteering there post-orientation.
The freshmen brought much joy and excitement to the elderly by teaching them how to make their own balloon sculptures! The interactive activity promoted intergenerational bonding between the young and old. The elderly later enjoyed lunch, which was sponsored by the foundation, together with the freshmen. The youths also entertained the seniors with song and dance. Starting off their year with an act of service, may the students continue to bring joy to others in need!
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On Saturday, 9 March 2013, TCTF brought its “More than Words” programme to HELP Family Service Centre (FSC). The programme was initiated this year in line with TCTF’s focus on education and community development. Reaching out to the young and old alike through this programme, TCTF hopes to encourage better communication between individuals that stems from the heart.
At HELP FSC, our two TCTF interns conducted a 3-hour session for 11 children from the FSC’s “Big Brother Big Sister” befriending programme, with the support of HELP FSC volunteers and staff from both organisations. They did their best to inspire the participants not only to improve their communication skills but also to think creatively and reach for greater heights. The day’s activities included a lunch treat by TCTF, fun educational games and a story-telling session. Everyone enjoyed the session and the children learnt to improve their communication skills in a fun and meaningful way.
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On Saturday, 1 Dec 2012, the foundation hosted the Tan Chin Tuan Centennial Concert performed by the Singapore Symphony Children’s Choir held at Cheng Yi Auditorium, Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) to celebrate the festive season and thank our beneficiaries for their service to the community.
571 guests, including the Tan extended family, and 433 beneficiaries from 27 TCTF-supported charities attended the concert. 49 student volunteers comprising of TCTF’s scholars from HCI, ACS Independent, ACJC, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, NAFA and Republic Polytechnic as well as TCTF staff’s friends and family came to help out during the event as well.
The concert was a collaborative effort with the beneficiaries of Tan Chin Tuan Foundation: Hwa Chong Institution as venue partner, Singapore Symphony Children’s Choir as performers and Man Fut Tong Welfare Society assisted with the decorations. After the 50-minute long performance, the guests were invited for tea-time refreshments at the foyer while interacting with our council members and the performers. Everyone certainly had an entertaining and fruitful time that afternoon!
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On Sunday, 2 September 2012, an hour-long evening concert sponsored by the Tan Chin Tuan Foundation, the “Tan Chin Tuan Music-For-All: SSO Classics in the Park”, brought lively melodious compositions of Stauss II, Tchaikovsky. Kabelesky, Elgar and Dick Lee to life to an audience of about 5,000 people. The 70-member strong Singapore Symphony Orchestra performed the pieces for both our beneficiaries and public present at the event.
Our Council Members, Dr. Tan Kheng Lian, Ms. Chew Gek Khim, Mr. Chew Kwee San and Advisor, Mr Eric Teng also enjoyed the evening of music with family, friends, staff and some beneficiaries (aforementioned) from Tan Chin Tuan Foundation’s supported organisations (PERTAPIS, Brahm Centre, Singapore Heart Foundation, The Bone Marrow Programme and Home Nursing Foundation).
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On Friday, 27 July 2012, 24 award recipients of the 10 scholarships from Anglo-Chinese family of schools and Methodist Girls’ School were invited to the Tan Chin Tuan Mansion for the ACS & MGS Scholars’ Tea. The tea is part of the “Tête-à-Tête @ TCTF” series and included a “YOUth Speak: Youth in Leadership” Dialogue. The foundation’s four invited speakers shared about issues from human trafficking to the challenges and rewards of being a volunteer. The dialogue served to engage and enlighten our scholars on how youth leaders can make a meaningful impact to the community.
After the dialogue, the Award Ceremony for our scholars followed soon after. A video on the late Puan Sri Helene Tan was also screened to commemorate her life as July 27 was also her birthday! The session provided the students a platform to interact with our council members and the invited speakers. It was certainly a delightful afternoon for all!
The scholarships bestowed are:
Oldham Scholar: Cheong Rui Min Jereme
Nagle Scholar: Wong Wen Han Joel
Peach Scholar: Lie Ming Khong Samuel
CB Paul Scholars: Hong Wei En Isaac, Hue Jun Jie Jonas
Hoisington Scholar: Shen Yifan
Goh Hood Keng Scholars: Tan Longxiang Dylan, Lim Quan Zhao
Thio Chan Bee Scholars: Seah Yi Ren Gabriel Ong , Song Ian Benedict
Lee Hah Ing Scholars: Yap Sae-Hwa Daniel, Liow Pyng Wei Christopher, Yu Cheng En Benedict, Ooi Zhi-Wei Justin
TCT Medalist 2012: Anthony Wijaya
Puan Sri Helene Tan Chin Tuan Scholars:
Laura Ann Bull
Ang Si-En Chloe
Low Mikaela
Loy Hui Ying Rachel
Gan Ying Ling Victoria
Wei Sohan Misha
Lin Siyue
Cheah Hui Ying Esther
Khor Ting Yan
On Thursday, the 28th of June, the foundation held a YARP Thank-You Tea at the Singapore Art Museum in appreciation of our partners and YARP participants who were involved in the recent Singapore Arts Festival 2012. The tea was hosted by council member, Ms Chew Gek Hiang and Deputy CEO, Ms Yap Su-Yin. A total of 91 guests from 14 organisations graced this meaningful occasion.
Our guests who were involved as cub reporters, performers and facilitators during the Singapore Arts Festival were presented with certificates signed jointly by the National Arts Council and the Tan Chin Tuan Foundation in recognition of their hard work. During the tea, our guests were delightfully entertained by performances put up by Happy Mondays from the Little Arts Academy and KPOP dancers, B-Uniq, from Singapore Children’s Society. A YARP booklet which consists of a compilation of articles and photographs contributed by our YARP cub reporters was also launched! The joyous tea session was accompanied with light refreshments and was brought to a close with a tour around the museum. It was a very enjoyable afternoon indeed for all who were present!
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