SAVH InSight

MICA (P) 138/05/2011 Issue 2/2011 September 2011 CONTENTS The President’s Star 3 Charity TV Gala

News 4

Announcements 5-6

Standard Chartered Bank Organises Liverpool 7 Soccer Clinic

Prawning with Barclays Capital 8-9

Client Profile: Live Wire! Victor Tan 10-12

Fun at Youth 13 Flying Club

Trotting to the Zoo with 14-15 CHIJ Katong

Eye Am Aware Now! 16

Mini-art Show at Marche 17

Crafts at SAVH Touch Art 18

Pulau Ubin Sensory Trail 19-20

Community Partnership 21

What’s New in Store 22

Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped Email: [email protected] 47 Rise, Singapore 298104 Website: www.savh.org.sg Tel (+65) 6251-4331 Fax (+65) 62537191 SAVH Celebrates International White Cane Day 2011 With Kingsmen Creatives and L’Oreal

Join us for day of fun filled activities with food, games and entertainment! Date: Saturday, 15 October 2011 Time: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm Venue: 47 Toa Payoh Rise, Singapore 298104. Nearest MRT station: Caldecott CC17

Individuals and corporations are most welcome to be part of this celebration through donating door gifts and sponsoring booths. Coupons are needed for purchases at this event for visitors. Sales of coupons are available on the event day.

For enquires, please contact SAVH at Tel: 62514331 Infoline: 62529116 Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://facebook.com/savh.singapore

Do Come and Support Us. All Are Welcome

Main Sponsors: Supported by: Organized by:

Page 2 SAVH Insight SAVH STARS AT THE PRESIDENT’S STAR CHARITY TV GALA

The President’s Star Charity 2011 television gala was a night to remember for SAVH. Three of our visually handicapped clients, Adelyn Koh, Stephanie Ow and Mohammad Zahier, took part in the glittering event on 31 July that lasted two and a half hours. Zahier played the guitar alongside Singapore Idol winner Sezairi Sezali and his band Juxtapose. Adelyn had a co-hosting role while Stephanie played the erhu.

The star-studded charity show raised a record-breaking $6.44 million for 28 charity organizations including SAVH.

The gala show was also a farewell for President S R Nathan as this was his last President's Star Charity show before stepping down as President.

Page 3 NEWS

SAVH Holds its 58th Annual General Meeting SAVH’s 58th annual general meeting was held on 27 August 2011. The accounts for the financial year ended 31 March 2011 were passed at the AGM. The persons who form the Executive Committee 2011/2012 are as follows:

Mr Tan Guan Heng President Mr Khoo Kong Ngian Vice President Mr Philip Lee Soo Hoon Vice President Mr Danny Chia Choon Guan Honorary Secretary Mr Alfred Shee Ping Fatt Honorary Treasurer Mr Cheok Cheng Ann Member Mr Steven Yeo Khee Peng Member Ms Chua Swee Keow Member Mr Adrian Tan Gim Hai Co-opted Member

Blind Vote Independently in Presidential Poll The 27 August 2011 presidential election was a historic occasion for the blind. It was the first poll at which blind Singaporeans voted independently, without requiring election officials to help them mark their ballot papers.

With a stencil, blind voters could feel the box against the name of each candidate and draw a cross in the box for their selected candidate. They were told the order of the candidates’ names on the ballot paper.

“While we do not doubt the integrity of the officials, this is the first time that the blind can vote, independently, freely and secretly,” says SAVH president Mr Tan Guan Heng. We thank Mr Tan and the Appeals Committee for discussing this issue with the relevant authorities.

Page 4 SAVH Insight ANNOUCEMENTS

1. MRT Caldecott Station to open on 8 Oct

The MRT Circle Line will be extended with effect from 8 October when its final 12 train stations, including Caldecott Station, will open. The Caldecott Station has an access to Toa Payoh Rise, and is just across the road from SAVH. Apart from Caldecott, the new stations are:

Botanic Gardens, Farrer Road, Holland Village, Buona Vista, One-North, Kent Ridge, Haw Par Villa, Pasir Panjang, Labrador Park, Telok Blangah and HarbourFront. The existing 16 stations stretch from Dhoby Ghaut to Marymount.

SAVH is working with SMRT to arrange for a familiarization exercise in Caldecott Station for the Association’s clients.

2. Names of MRT stations available in Braille

You may wish to purchase a list of the names of all the stations in Singapore’s mass rapid transit network in Braille from the Braille Production Unit. All four lines, namely, North-South, North-East, East-West and Circle Line, are covered in the list. Please contact Ben Ong at 62514331 x 171 for a copy.

Page 5 ANNOUCEMENTS (continued)

3. SAVH Donation Draw 2011 SAVH is in the midst of a donation draw fundraising project. Tickets for SAVH Donation Draw 2011 are available and we appeal to you for your support. The tickets will be sold at $2 apiece. The draw is scheduled to take place on International White Cane Day at SAVH on 15 October.

4. Higher light contrast in all MRT stations by 2013

SMRT will be installing new fare gates in its stations. The new fare gates have a higher light-contrast (red and green). Currently, you can find these gates at Bishan, Braddell and Novena MRT stations. The fare gates also emit a beep when one taps one’s Ezlink card against the card reader. SMRT has advised that these new fare gates will be installed in all stations by 2013.

5. Letters to the Editor Write to us if you have feedback, contributions or suggestions! Contribute if you are a writer or photographer and would like to be a part of SAVH InSight!

Email us at [email protected]

Editorial Team

Michael Tan – Chief Editor Suja Thomas, Mary Kwang and all contributing writers

The editorial team would like to thank all who have contributed to this issue of this newsletter. Disclaimer: The opinion and views expressed in this newsletter by the writers do not necessarily reflect the official views of SAVH. The Association reserves the right to edit any article submitted for this publication.

Page 6 SAVH Insight Reds Thrill SAVH Kids at Soccer Clinic by Fauziah Hanim, SAVH Volunteer

17 July was certainly a red-letter day for SAVH, when Liverpool Football Club (LFC) spent a day in Singapore as part of its Asia Tour 2011. Part of the activities during the Reds’ stopover was a soccer clinic organised for children with disabilities by the Standard Chartered Bank, a steady corporate supporter of SAVH.

Much loved Reds legends Ian Rush and Phil Thompson and some of the team’s current players and community coaches turned up at the Singapore Sports School to teach the children simple football tricks and antics. The clinic was attended by around 10 children who are SAVH clients. Another 40 kids from the Singapore Sports School and children of Standard Chartered Bank’s staff took part too.

The clinic focused on imparting football skills and techniques as well as health and fitness training. There was also a customised session for the visually impaired children. SAVH clients received new soccer jerseys and boots during the clinic.

The greatest fun was had by all when Ian and Phil blindfolded themselves to play soccer with the visually impaired children. It was indeed heartening to watch these legends trying to find the net, getting a feel of how visually-impaired person ‘see’ things. This is an exemplary case of promoting inclusion and integration with the less fortunate in the community.

Page 7 Prawning with Barclays Capital by the Barclays Intern Organizing Team

As part of the Barclays Capital summer internship programme, interns were given an opportunity during a 10-week period to give back to the community. This year, a full-day event was organised in collaboration with SAVH. Planned and driven by a team of 15 interns, the event aimed to raise awareness about the visually handicapped, demonstrate understanding towards them via high levels of interaction and allow the interns to develop empathy and appreciation of what they have.

For the visually handicapped clients, the organising team aspired to provide assurance that society cares about them and recognises their plight. The organisers also wanted to let the visually handicapped try something new via this event – activities they would typically not have the chance to participate in.

With a total of 50 interns from Barclays Capital, the event kicked off with a series of activities. In groups of 20, interns were first brought on a tour of SAVH. The first stop was the library, which showcases SAVH’s collection of audio and Braille books. To get a feel of a typical movie-watching experience, interns watched the descriptive movie The Matrix, customised with background commentary and voice-overs.

At the Braille Production Unit, interns were able to observe the working of a Braille printer, which utilises pins to print Braille characters. Next in line was the Sheltered Workshop, . Clients who work at the Sheltered Workshop earn allowances, providing them with the opportunity to achieve a sense of self-worth.

Page 8 SAVH Insight Prawning with Barclays Capital (continued)

The tour ended with a quick Basic Sighted Guided Technique session, where interns learnt how to interact with and guide the visually handicapped when moving around.

SAVH and the organising committee next arranged for a lunch-in-the-dark session for interns to experience dining in complete darkness. This was an activity which most participants had never tried before. It was refreshing for many, and also served as a strong reminder to us not to take our sense of sight for granted.

The second half of the event was an afternoon out prawn fishing, for interns and 40 visually-handicapped clients. Interns were each paired up with a visually handicapped buddy. Prawning is a popular activity which involves catching of prawns in freshwater ponds housed indoors.

Held at Hai Bin Prawning in Punggol, interns and their buddies teamed up to grasp the ropes of prawning and attempted to score with the largest catch. It was a novel experience for many interns and the visually handicapped from SAVH. All were thrilled to feast on their very own fresh catch of prawns at the end of the event. Intervals between catches gave interns and their buddies the chance to interact and get to know each other. New friendships were built and for many of the interns, it was a very meaningful experience and new perspectives were gained.

Page 9 ClientPrawning Profile: with Victor Barclays Tan Capital – Live Wire! by Sujathe Barclays Thomas, Intern SAVH Organizing Volunteer Team

As I walk into Victor Tan’s studio in Telok Kurau, I am awestruck by the intricately crafted wire sculptures of every size that are all around me. They are still, but something about their wiry sinews makes them seem like they are in motion. Each figure seems to have its own personality and I almost wish that they could speak because I would have loved to hear their stories! But I am here to hear Victor’s story of how he came to be a renowned artist despite losing his vision in his early 20s.

As we chat, I sense a certain unease. Finally, Victor says, “You know in every interview I give, my disability turns out to be the focus of the story. It makes me feel like I am getting this attention because I am blind and not because of my art. I’m sure that there are people who think of my success this way. It would be good if others could see disabled people as normal people and judge their work just like anyone else’s. I’m not saying that I can be completely independent but I would like people to reconsider what is regarded as “normal”. These days it is common to use a lift, and so many people who cannot climb stairs are regarded as “normal”. People must regard those in wheelchairs as normal too. A wheelchair is a device, just as a lift is.”

Victor tells me that he had liked to draw even as a child, but his parents could not afford formal art lessons. When it came time for higher studies, Victor tried to find a practical field that could also allow him to draw. He opted for architecture technology at a local polytechnic. He was in his first year of that course when he was struck with optic neuritis, a condition which left him visually handicapped.

Page 10 SAVH Insight Client Profile: Victor Tan – Live Wire! (continued)

At the time, Victor was not only studying, he was also working part-time to fund his studies and help out financially at home. Losing his sight meant that he could no longer study or support himself, and that he would be a burden on his family. He felt very depressed for a time. Then, fortunately, he heard about art lessons at the White Cane Club. Intrigued, he decided to attend them. As he moulded beautiful objects out of ceramics, art healed his soul. His trainers recognised his talent and suggested that he enrol at La Salle. It was a turning point in his life. Looking back, Victor acknowledges that if he had not been forced to change direction, he might never have discovered the path his life has now taken.

At La Salle, he found the studio drawing class a challenge due to his visual handicap. When he asked to be exempted from it, his teachers encouraged him to find an “alternative way of drawing” instead. After some experimentation, Victor found that wire could work like lines in a drawing. After receiving his diploma, Victor studied for his degree. During this time, he experimented with different media such as fabrics and fibres as a means to express his identity. Like fabrics, our identities are made up of multiple strands in our lives, says Victor. “You change as you negotiate your way through space and time. Identity may change as you surround yourself with different people and experiences.”

Page 11 Client Profile: Victor Tan – Live Wire! (continued)

Victor was commissioned to create his first public work - a sculpture for the Singapore Expo even before he had graduated. As he considered which medium to use, he remembered the advice of his studio drawing teacher to “never give up on wire!” The rest as they say is history! Victor’s work is now exhibited in many public places and is also part of several private collections.

All photos in this article are printed with the permission of Victor Tan.

“Wire is very fragile and yet can be very strong. Out there in the open, it is in the sun and the rain. It can damage easily but if you do it well, you can make it stand on its own.”

Meeting Victor has taught me that some people can be a lot like wire. To see more of Victor’s work, visit his website at www.victortanweetar.com.

Page 12 SAVH Insight Flight & flying @ SYFC by Cyrano Latiff, SAVH Volunteer

SAVH members attended a `Flight & Flying’ programme on Wednesday, 4 May 2011, at the Singapore Youth Flying Club (SYFC). Our first-ever visit to a flying club was at the invitation of an aviation lecturer and organised by student-volunteers of the Aviation Management & Services (AMS) diploma class of Temasek Polytechnic.

At the club, the group was warmly received by teams of students who served as guides and had carefully prepared an itinerary that brought to life the touch, smell and sounds of the aviation realm.

First, we were briefed on the main parts of an aircraft using model airplanes. We then made paper planes and proceeded on a guided walk around the hangar which allowed our visually impaired members to sense the expansiveness of that environment. The highlight for our members was the rare opportunity to `touch & feel’ an actual aircraft, the Diamond DA-40 with an eventual `ride’ in the cockpit.

Even as the visit opened the minds of our clients to a world they had never entered before, the programme also allowed AMS students to devise creative approaches to enhance the capacities of the differently-abled.

Page 13 Trotting to the Zoo with CHIJ Katong students by Samuel Bey, Case Manager, SAVH

On 2 April, CHIJ Katong Convent took nine clients out to the Singapore Zoo for a whale of a time. Weeks before the event, I went down to the school to provide training in Basic Sighted Guide Techniques to the students and their supporters. To my surprise, the entire outing was planned and executed by the mothers of the students, with the school backing their efforts.

On the day of the outing, the sun shone brightly and the sky was clear. With each client escorted by three students, we arrived at our destination on schedule. While we were waiting at the entrance for our tickets, the clients were provided breakfast, water and other goodies.

As we made our way to the Amphitheatre to watch the seal show – our first stop - excitement was on the faces of students and clients. They chatted brightly with one another, sharing life experiences. The show drew laughter from all sides and although our clients could not see the performance, I was sure that with the students’ detailed narration, our clients did not miss a thing.

After the show, we explored the rest of the Zoo, hearing the monkeys shriek in their enclosure, watching the cute waddling penguins, admiring the majestic lions and staring at the svelte giraffes.

Page 14 SAVH Insight Trotting to the Zoo with CHIJ Katong students (continued)

Soon, it was time for lunch. By the time we reached the lunch venue, we were exhausted. Nevertheless, this did not dampen the selfless spirit of the students who ensured that all the clients received their lunch boxes and described the contents to them before tucking into their own meals.

The students’ enthusiasm did not fade under the sultry heat even as the day wore on. They continued to describe what they saw of the many different attractions - and even at the gift shop! Soon, it was time to call it a day and as the clients took their leave, it was apparent to me that the bond that was shared that day was something special. To date, four of the students have signed up as volunteers with SAVH.

I would like to commend the students, teachers and parent-volunteers at CHIJ Katong Convent and thank them for making this outing possible and for being gracious hosts.

Page 15 Eye Am Aware Now! – after a food hunt

SAVH beneficiaries and NTU volunteers were out on Sunday, 23 March, to track down food! This food hunt was the second instalment of Eye Am Aware 2011, an awareness programme of the Nanyang Technological University.

Participants were divided into 10 teams to play games in which they used their senses to identify different types of food. There was much laughter in the main game areas in , Square 2 and Pavilion at , as participants smelt different spices to tell them apart and sipped drinks to guess what they were!

The event concluded on a high note, with bulging tummies and prizes to boot! Subway cookies were given out too! Everyone was a winner that day, with new friendships and bonds forged!

Page 16 SAVH Insight Mini-Art Show at Marche @ 313 Somerset by Christine Teo of Singapore Management University

Singapore Management University’s leadership team building module requires students to form groups and to plan and execute a community service project (CSP) as a team. We learnt about several groups which work with the handicapped. We decided to collaborate with SAVH because we felt that out of the disabled groups in our society, the visually handicapped seems to be that which had the least help.

Our team, Second Heartbeat, collaborated with Marche and SAVH to stage a small art exhibition in Marche’s restaurant. We never thought that Marche, an established restaurant chain in Singapore, would be so willing to work with us on this project. This encouraged us a lot.

We felt humbled too by this experience because it revealed to us how those who are visually handicapped can produce beautiful art pieces. On top of that, the clients’ enthusiasm in creating the artwork brought a lot of cheer to us. We hope that the little that we did would raise public awareness of the abilities of the visually handicapped.

Page 17 Crafts in SAVH Touch Art Programme …helping the visually handicapped to help themselves

SAVH’s Touch Art programme teaches the visually handicapped to fashion different craft items using their hands. They skillfully employ their hands as paint brush, measuring tape and texture-sensor, relying exclusively on their sense of touch to create beautiful items such as bookmarks, placemats, drink coasters, mouse pads, greeting cards, canvas paintings, decorated glass plates, candle holders, pottery items and fridge magnets. . The handmade craft items are marketed as gifts to companies for annual dinners, family days, conferences and other special events. They are also sold at charity bazaars

By teaching the visually handicapped a skill, the Touch Art workshop gives them a platform to show off their talent, provides them an opportunity to socialize with others and earns them some pocket money.

Set up in 1996, the Touch Art programme is manned by a wonderful group of 20 dedicated, creative and caring volunteers who train the visually handicapped clients in making the crafts. At present, the workshop is conducted every Monday from 10 am to 4 pm.

Page 18 SAVH Insight On the Sensory Trail with the Singapore American School. A letter by Kate Thome of Singapore American School

To: SAVE Club (Students Against Violating the Environment) Singapore American School 16 April 2011

Congratulations on a fantastic outing on Saturday to Pulau Ubin! It’s been over a year since I have been along for one of the trips, and I found the return to Ubin to be a deeply meaningful experience once again.

Your expert organization in helping the VH board and disembark from buses, and then onto the rockin’ and rollin’ ferry boats was handled with skill and grace. It’s still heart-stopping to me when I see the trust and confidence with which each of our VH friends graciously accepted our directions, and bravely stepped aboard the boats while navigating posts and decks strewn with thick tangled ropes. But, the refreshing breeze on the 10- minute ride soothed the nerves until the even more treacherous unloading onto the jetty of Pulau Ubin. Again, SAVE members rallied and strategically positioned themselves to be effective and efficient in that last big transition.

Once on Ubin, we were immediately rewarded with a sighting of an Oriental Pied Hornbill. Was that on cue or what? The trail was enchanting and surprising with new twists and signage (although not in Braille like ours!). My heart swelled with pride with the realization that the dedication of the Sensory Trail was 11 years ago….and, its thanks to SAVE Club that the legacy has been honoured for over a decade!

Your gracious hosting of the refreshing coconut drinks and other cooling drinks at the little stall in the village made this a very comfortable social event for all! Lunch at Changi Village was a chance to again make friends.

Page 19 On the Pulau Ubin Sensory Trail with the Singapore American School (continued)

Your generous hosting of it all, without asking for any money is still astonishing to me. What an amazing organization!

In addition to all of the SAS and SAVH folks, it was wonderful to meet other school groups who share a passion for nature. Thank you for generously including them in the outing! Thank you again for an outstanding experience! See you again on Ubin!

Kate Thome

Background: Sensory Trail of Pulau Ubin

In 1995, the SAVE (Students Against Violating the Environment) club of Singapore American School (SAS) and the Nature Society of Singapore developed a trail which would allow the visually handicapped a chance to experience Ubin using their senses of touch and smell. In 2000, the trail was formally adopted by the SAS and SAVH under the 's Adopt-a-Park Scheme.

Page 20 SAVH Insight Community Partnership

Goldman Sachs makes SAVH spick & span

Some 39 staff of Goldman Sachs (Singapore) Pte Ltd donned overalls and gloves to spruce up the premises of SAVH. These deeds took place on 10 June and 2 July.

The first batch of 20 Goldman Sachs volunteers gave the White Cane Club building a fresh coat of paint. They also varnished a garden table set. The second group of 19 staff were divided into three smaller groups: they laboured in the garden, claywork room and storeroom. The garden was cleared of dried leaves and fallen branches. The claywork room was swept and mopped, and the storeroom was given a thorough cleaning.

The Goldman Sachs volunteers were also given a tour of SAVH’s facilities and briefed on the services it provides. SAVH thanks these hardworking employees of Goldman Sachs for their hard work and willing spirit!

Chongqing Women’s Federation comes to SAVH

A delegation of the Chongqing Women's Federation visited SAVH on 17 August 2011. The group, comprising 20 members, were briefed by SAVH from Mr Leow Chee Tsai, SAVH's business development manager. The Chinese visitors peppered him with a lot of questions, for example, about SAVH’s funding sources.

In the White Cane Club building, while touring SAVH grounds, delegation members were tickled pink when they ran into a Shanghai compatriot, Mr Zheng Pinghua, who was there teaching some SAVH clients how to make Shanghai dumplings. Mr Zheng told them: "Volunteerism is not bounded by international boundaries." The visitors made a donation too to SAVH. Xie xie!

Page 21 What’s New In Store

Featured in this issue are two portable electronic magnifiers: Olympia and Sapphire!

Olympia Olympia provides maximum flexibility and control with its wide range of magnification and colour settings. Users can adjust between positive or negative text, apply a yellow on blue viewing mode, and adjust brightness, to meet their visual needs. This device has a wide glare-reducing tilted screen. To have even greater magnification levels one can connect the Olympia to any compatible TV monitor. The Olympia package comes with a writing stand.

Sapphire A pocket magnifier, Sapphire has a sliding bar which makes it easy to adjust the magnification to the level needed. The device sits flat for document reading. To magnify three-dimensional objects, just open the Sapphire top. Users can hold prescription bottles or food labels and other objects above the camera for a magnified view. Use the freeze-frame feature to take a snapshot, so you can take your time reading without holding the object in place. The Sapphire has a 7-inch screen and 23 type and background colour combinations. It runs for four hours on batteries which are fully rechargeable.

To view either product, kindly contact the Assistive Devices Centre at 62514331 x 127.

Page 22 SAVH Insight Visually Impaired Run Our Own Mobile Massage By the Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped (SAVH) Let our hands do the talking...... and do your bit for V.R.OO.M!

Venue : Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped 47 & 49 Toa Payoh Rise, Singapore 298104 Time : 9.00 am to 6.00 pm Days : Monday to Sunday, closed on public holidays

V.R.OO.M Rates Foot Reflexology $12 / 20 minutes, $18 / 30 minutes Head & Shoulder $12 / 20 minutes, $18 / 30 minutes

SAVH Premises - Rates Foot Reflexology $10 / 20 minutes, $20 / 30 minutes Head & Shoulder $10 / 20 minutes, $20 / 30 minutes Full Body Acupressure $40 / hour

Combination of Foot Reflexology and Head & Shoulder For one hour $55 / masseur / hour For two hours $45 / masseur / hour For three hours and above $35 / masseur / hour

For any massage booking enquiries, you can reach us at Tel. 6251 4331 ext 163/164 or email [email protected]

Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped 47, Toa Payoh Rise, Singapore 298104 Tel: (+65) 6251-4331 Fax: (+65) 6253-7191 Email: [email protected] Website: www.savh.org.sg DINING IN THE DARK

A JOURNEY OF SENSES

OPEN FOR LUNCH AT SAVH EVERY TUESDAY - SATURDAY

$28 nett each for a full four-course meal (Soup, Main Course, Dessert, Coffee/Tea)

$15 nett each for students & accompanying teachers

Menu is correct at time of printing. SAVH reserves the right to make changes to the menu without prior notice. All dishes are HALAL.

For more information or to make a reservation, please refer to www.savh.org.sg or contact us at 6251 4331 ext 113 or email [email protected]