Mindspeak 1 p.14 p.28 In 2019 A special trip to the Parliament: What were our self-advocates up to at the Parliament of ? storybook launch

with our first illustrated first illustrated with our

Take a look inside MINDS Raintree a look inside Take p.8 MINDS’ first student care centre: Syndrome Day Syndrome World Down Down World Celebrating p.16 Celebrating the dedication and generosity of our volunteers and donors of special people Big-hearted and always there: the heart voice the heart voice MCI (P) 073/12/2019 MCI Mindspeak 01 MINDS MINDS team! Mr Kelvin Koh Happy New Year from the Happy New Year Here’s wishing everyone a Here’s The heart people of special voice Chief Executive Officer, Chief Executive Officer, 2020 will be an importantan be will 2020 as us for year we continue on this journey to strive for excellence; be it advocating for greater inclusivity through our signature MINDS Film Festival in Jan 2020, or supporting caregivers with other complementing servicessuch as health or programmes management with the opening of a second disability clinic in July 2020, or helping out adult clients’ learning through the rolling out of an adult learning curriculum to seamlessly flow over from our schools. an making Singapore The road to inclusive society is a work in progress that we at MINDS are committed to clients, our with hand in hand secure; caregivers and other key stakeholders. Let us continue to stay resilient and strive for excellence. , for time, treasures and talent reading this, I would like you to know that MINDS is committed to supporting you in every so that way we can, together as a team we can better help your charges to gain abilities to live as independently as possible, with quality. Equipping Clients to be Future Ready. cohort As we proudly witnessed 2019’s students school MINDS final-year of we are graduating on 9 November, also encouraged that some of them were the first to undergo a cyber-wellness manner, interactive an in curriculum readying them to move on to the next chapter of their learning journey. These milestones may be small, but they represent MINDS desire to strive for excellence in everything we do, so that we can improve to ensure that our services evolve to best support the clients’ aspiration, in realisation of our and caregivers their with consultation family members. are not able to do this alone; our We volunteers have and will continue to play instrumental roles in this regard. and Donors At the 2019 Volunteers I was humbled by Appreciation Day, our volunteers’ generosity to share their the betterment of our clients’ life. Our volunteers’ dedication and efforts motivate us at MINDS to do better as an organisation for our clients. CEO’s STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE RESILIENT, STAYING Allow me to startas I by saying that went around engaging the different I am full parts of the MINDS family, of admiration, veryencouraged and significantly inspired by the commitment, conviction and passion to servecontinue to and children the adults that have been entrusted to our care and nurturing throughout 2019, despite the changes that MINDS was experiencing. Particularly I want to thank the MINDS Senior Management team under the stewardship of Deputy CEO, who continued to stabilise the ship, guiding the tribe to remain resilient and stay on Vision. course to fulfil our Building Greater Inclusivity. build a culture of inclusiveness in To the Singapore society for our clients, MINDS commissioned a six-volume storybook series, titled ‘A Place for Us’. These books were inspired by real- life stories from our MINDS students. All six books are available for loan from public libraries and also sold at It is local bookstores such as Popular. encourage an easy read; I strongly everyonethis during time take some to festive season to read them. Building Resilient Caregivers. support the caregivers of special To needs students, we opened the MINDS Raintree Special Student Care Centre in September 2019. For the caregivers

OLOV’s trip to the Parliament of Singapore OLOV’s at WEDC! Ready for Work Inclusivity in the form of kawaii bentos A Day of Sports and Fun with MINDS MYG Hockey fun with the Singapore Hockey Federation A Sea of Abilities at Purple Parade 2019 and Clementi TDC crowned champions at Bukit Timah MINDS Family Day CEO’s Message CEO’s Prelude 2019 MINDS Film Festival 2020 MINDS Film Festival Ceremony 2019 Schools’ Graduation first Special Student Care Centre Opening of MINDS Opening of the Of friendships, plants and inclusivity: Friendship Garden @ Woodlands! Launch of MINDS’ illustrated storybook series – A Place For Us Down Syndrome Day Celebrating World celebration & Donors Appreciation Day Volunteers Chefs & service staff in the making HarmonyFour weddings and a celebration: Racial Day & Development Centre Training at Yishun bold steps to conduct inclusive research Taking 28 30 31 32 Engagements Shining the spotlight on stakeholder engagements23 24 26 Experience Peering through the lens of those journeying with us Events Events Feeling the pulse of MINDS 01 02 04 06 08 10 12 14 16 18 20 22

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01 28 Mindspeak 03 IF YOU MISSED OUR FILM FESTIVAL PRELUDE IN NOVEMBER, The heart people of special voice Join us at MINDS Film Festival from January 15 – 19, 2020, where an amazing line-up of films from Hong Kong, Italy, South Korea, Spain and the U.S. will be screened over five days. Check out the next page to find out more! receptive towards helping persons with persons helping towards receptive intellectual disabilities, which helps with goal of widening the MINDS’ eventual reach of community-based care, instead of institutionalising clients. Said Ms Koh: “I think as long as we’re able to educate the public and to let them see the value of our clients and and the help others able to how they’re we are taking a step closer community, to building an inclusive society.” introduction to the film before the screening The director, Ms Frédérique Bedos, giving an The director, An audience member poses a question to the panellists HDB flat. Ms Koh shared that they help HDB flat. Ms Koh shared that they help as well as their neighbours, one another, and have integrated seamlessly into the She also shared that some community. of MINDS’ programmes, such as the Club also sees volunteers going MeToo! into clients’ homes to interact and befriend them in the way that L’Arche communities are run. John the vision (of “The philosophy, and the service we provide Vanier), where model this on based be should want the we give clients’ choices. We want, they that it is what us tell to clients rather than us telling them what they want,” Ms Koh said. “Moving forward, we will definitely take inspiration from movie screening. After hearing today’s from the man himself, I think we are probably on the right track. We’re looking to see if some of the components into can be implemented of the L’Arche more of our programmes.” When an audience member asked what were the barriers identified when adapting such a model for a local context, Ms Koh acknowledged that culture was one such factor MINDS had to take into consideration when adapting of feasibility the analysing parents or especially for L’Arche, caregivers of persons with intellectual disabilities. Ms Koh however observed that people in Singapore have actually become more aware of and are also more disability,” He said. Mr Koh also added He said. disability,” “has opened up a that this screening to spread the new audience for MINDS inclusivity.” message on community move we as ever, than more “Now to need we forwardsociety, a as segregated, than inclusive more be based Vanier a model that Mr John upon,” said Mr Koh. L’Arche life Vanier’s Mr Ms Bedos’ film chronicles and the experiences that motivated him a Canadian Mr Vanier, to start L’Arche. humanitarian, founded the L’Arche (French for ‘the Ark’) model which is dedicated to the creation and growth of supportprograms and homes, networks for people with intellectual disabilities. The organisation currently operates in 38 countries and spans 153 communities. The model has been proven successful in various western countries and some Asian countries such as Japan, India and the Philippines. The screening was followed by a Bedos, Ms with session dialogue Deputy CEO of Ms Koh Gee May, Manokara, Head MINDS, Mr Vimallan and of MINDS Institute of Intellectual Developmental Disabilities (MIIDD), and was facilitated by Mr Sherman Ho from the Singapore Film Society. with proposing is Vanier) (Mr he “What said Ms is a shift in mindset,” L’Arche Bedos during the session. “The way I see it, the way society treats the weakest people is a very powerful barometer of how advanced and civilised we are.” Having this mindset allows for a better society to be built, one that is respectful and mindful of everyone, including those with intellectual disabilities. goal to integrate Ms Koh said Mr Vanier’s into disabilities intellectual with persons local communities resonates strongly with MINDS’ aim to ensure a quality of life, as independently as possible, for His anyone with intellectual disability. philosophy runs parallel with several MINDS programmes which is modelled on community-based care, she said. For instance, MINDS piloted the concept of a community group home several years ago, where close to 10 MINDS clients live together independently in an MINDS, thanked the French Embassy for giving MINDS this opportunity to be part of the French Film Festival this year. “Film is a powerful platform to engage the public and raise public awareness, seed discussions and even shape opinions on issues that otherwise would be difficult to put in words, as ability multi-dimensional a have films to immerse the audience and engage especially on such them emotionally, difficult topics like inclusivity and

Joining them was the director of the film, Ms Frédérique Bedos, the Ambassador of France to Singapore, Mr His Excellency Mr Marc Abensour, Anthony Chaumuzeau, the Counsellor for Culture, Education & Science at in Singapore, the Embassy of France of MINDS Board Ms Vice-Chairperson management Choo Shu Hui, and senior from MINDS. In his opening remarks, Mr Kelvin Officer (CEO) of Koh, Chief Executive As a prelude to the upcoming MINDS Film Festival As a prelude to the upcoming MINDS Film Festival (15 - 19 Jan 2020), MINDS held a screening of at The Sacrament of Tenderness John Vanier: Orchard Cineleisure on November 16, 2019, with almost 140 movie goers in Saturday, attendance. Each guest was also given a packet of MINDS Bakers cookies in special festive pouches.

Events

(From left to right): Post-screening dialogue MINDS Film Festival Film MINDS session on community inclusiveness and the film with our panellists, Mr Sherman Ho from the Singapore Film Society, Ms Frédérique Bedos, director of Jean Vanier: The Sacrament of Tenderness, Ms Koh Gee May, Deputy CEO of MINDS and Mr Vimallan Manokara, Head of MINDS Institute of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (MIIDD) 02 Mindspeak 05 The heart people of special voice Events 04 Mindspeak 07 The heart people of special voice The Tribois and Tangos from MINDS and Tangos The Tribois Fernvale Gardens School (FGS) performing a dance titled ‘Do You’. MINDS Lee Kong Chian Gardens School (LGS) graduate Dave Abelinde Burgos and his sister impressed many with their powerful vocals when they performed a duet of Bridge Over Troubled at the ceremony Water Ms Shirley Cheng (third from left), a teacher at MINDS Towner Gardens School (TGS), at MINDS Towner Ms Shirley Cheng (third from left), a teacher right) the materials used by TGS for their sharing with Minister S Iswaran (second from cyberwellness module Kiara showing Minister S Iswaran how to interactive digital a life-size, use the iMirror, technology that simulates actual places, MRT such as the layout of Woodlands station or the neighbourhood Students from MINDS Woodlands Gardens Students from MINDS Woodlands School (WGS) performing Kaholo Hula, a Hawaiian-themed dance Kiara, who excelled at subjects such excelled at subjects Kiara, who well as Maths, Science, as as English, a prefect was made Home Economics, noticed her leadership after her teacher would help her abilities and how she She was also selected peers voluntarily. as a culinary intern for an inclusive partnership the Ministry between of (MSF) Development Family and Social she, along with and Holiday Inn, where to whip up 12 other students, helped for 400 guests at a four course meal and Partner Awards Volunteer MSF’s 2019 in November. graduates will Most of the MINDS advance to employment opportunities training and/or workshops sheltered to and development centres at MINDS upon their graduation. Mr Iswaran After the ceremony, was also shown a demonstration of interactive life-sized, a iMirror, the actual that simulates device digital places of commute, such as the the or station MRT Admiralty of layout the assistance of neighbourhood. With such an interactive virtual/augmented reality programme, special needs students are better able to learn how to engage in independent travelling. wrote Mr Iswaran post, Facebook a In that the graduation ceremony was “a culmination of years of dedication and and families”, school the by work hard and congratulated all the graduates for this milestone achieved. The Kool Kidz from MINDS Towner The Kool Kidz from MINDS Towner Gardens School (TGS) performing an upbeat rendition of ‘The Twist’ “The valuable skills I learnt will help me when I begin my new journey into adulthood,” - Kiara Shane G. Castillo, of the Schools’ valedictorian Graduation Ceremony 2019 Before the ceremony ended, valedictorian and WGS graduate Kiara Shane G. Castillo gave her valedictorian speech, during which she highlighted the numerous opportunities and that MINDS at her to presented enabled her to learn different skills through her job attachments. “The valuable skills I learnt will help me when I begin my new journey into adulthood,” she said in her speech. Valedictorian Kiara Shane G. Castillo receiving her certificate Kiara Shane from Mr S Iswaran, Valedictorian Minister for Communication and Information, accompanied by her mother

vice-chairman of MINDS Board, Mr Kelvin Koh, Chief Executive Officer of Senior Theseira, MINDS and Ms Terry Ministry Special Education, Inspector, of Education (MOE). Apart from certificate presentations, the guests were also treated to several performances by MINDS students from various schools. LGS graduate Dave Abelinde Burgos and his sister performed a lovely duet, Bridge Over from students the while Water, Troubled FGS, TGS and WGS put up various dance items. Events School graduates! to our MINDS to our Almost 90 graduands from our four MINDS Special Almost 90 graduands from Education schools – MINDS Fernvale Gardens School (FGS), Lee Kong Chian Gardens School (LGS), Towner Gardens Gardens School (TGS) and Woodlands School (WGS) – began a new chapter of their lives on November 9, Saturday. MINDS was also honoured to have Mr S Iswaran, Minister for Communications and Information grace the ceremony Also present as our guest of honour. at the graduation ceremony were chairmanCheung, Paul Professor of the School Management Committee (SMC), Mr Augustin Lee, chairman of MINDS Board, Mr Geoffrey Ong, Watching proudly were the students’ Watching families and friends alongside the principals, vice-principals and dedicated teachers of the four schools, as each of them went onstage to collect their certificates during the ceremony. 06 Events 08 The heart voice of special people

opens its first Special Student Care Centre Madam for children with officiating the opening of MINDS Raintree Special special needs Student Care Centre, sited at MINDS Woodlands Gardens School, on September 5 2019 During their time at MINDS Raintree, students are engaged in activities that help them acquire skills to support them as life-long learners. For instance, they learn how to tell the time, engage in sensory play, and learn social and adaptive skills through sports, arts and crafts, and befriending sessions

Madam Rahayu Mahzam, guest of honour at the opening, blowing bubbles with a student from MINDS Mdm Rahayu Mahzam Raintree (From left to right) Mdm Rahayu and the UAE Ambassador Mahzam and the UAE Ambassador to Singapore, His to Singapore, His Excellency Excellency Dr Mohamed Dr Mohamed Omar Abdulla MINDS officially opened its first Special Student Omar Abdulla Balfaqeeh, Balfaqeeh, Ms Ong Lay Hoon, watching as students Care Centre for children with special needs on Head of the Caregivers Support engage in various activities September 5, 2019. The opening of MINDS Raintree Services Centre (CSSC) and Ms at the centre Special Student Care Centre (SSCC) was officiated by Koh Gee May, MINDS Deputy Chief Executive Officer, looking on Interested parents and caregivers The students from MINDS Raintree putting up a guest of honour Madam Rahayu Mahzam, Member as MINDS Raintree students read may contact MINDS Raintree at 6362 skit during the opening of the centre of Parliament for Jurong Group Representation from a book 9021, or email [email protected]. Constituency (GRC) and the UAE Ambassador to Singapore, His Excellency Dr Mohamed Omar Subsidies are also available for Abdulla Balfaqeeh. eligible families. MINDS Raintree is located at: Located within MINDS Woodlands Said Mdm Mahzam: “The children 30 Woodlands Ring Road Garden School (WGS), the before- will be meaningfully engaged through #01-04/05 and-after school care centre helps tailor customised educational and enrichment Singapore 737883 learning programmes to the students’ programmes, catered to their varying needs and help provide greater learning needs.” Operating Hours: 7.30am – 7.00pm Mindspeak support to their caregivers. The centre (Weekdays & School Holidays) boasts a myriad of activity stations and Thematic based activities conducted interactive learning areas dedicated include sports, music and art lessons. *Committed to remain open on to honing daily living skills, improve Holidays programmes such as cooking Saturdays if required academic ability and develop critical classes, telematches, excursions and thinking skills. sensory play are a hit with the students and caregivers. 09 Mindspeak 11 Mr Amin with Esmond Kang, 9, a student of MINDS Woodlands Gardens School who planted herbs such as basil, lemongrass, sweet potato, and finger, lady’s curry leaves at the garden with his classmates, and Ms Chua Weiling from Chua Foundation, sponsor of the garden The heart people of special voice and plants at the garden may contact at the garden may and plants at [email protected]. MINDS WGS committed to promoting MINDS is of the in Singapore. Some inclusivity have that MINDS other initiatives gate dubbed the initiated includes a the links which Gate’ ‘Friendship MINDS Fernvale School (FGS) Gardens and Fernvale Primary School (FPS). It a mainstream is the only gate linking education school school and a special built to promote in Singapore and was mainstream greater interaction between primary school students and students with intellectual disabilities.

Mr Lawrence Chong, principal of MINDS Woodlands Gardens School Mr Lawrence Chong, principal of MINDS Woodlands and Mr Kelvin Koh, CEO of MINDS (right, in green and clapping), Amrin from Chua Foundation and Mr watching as Ms Chua Weiling MinistryAmin, Senior Parliamentary& Ministry of Home Affairs Secretary, of Health, unveils the signage at the Garden. Principal of MINDS WGS, Mr Lawrence MINDS WGS, Mr Principal of to said: “From planting, Chong, harvesting, are these herbs, we to selling have more opportunitiespleased to for with to work hand-in-hand our students hope these the garden. We residents on into stronger interactions will translate and at the same community bonds confidence time, boost our students’ its disability- and social skills. With garden also aims friendly features, the for persons with to promote inclusivity said community,” the in disabilities Mr Chong. Apart a community garden, from being also provides the Friendship Garden a learning MINDS students space for horticulture.in interest an cultivate to from students senior instance, For MINDS WGS aged 15 to 18 are they which skills, gardening taught they choose may benefit from should to explore a role in a nursery or the horticulture industryupon graduation from the school. MINDS WGS intends to partnerwith grassroots members from Woodlands garden. the maintain to organisations It is now open to all MINDS students and residents within the community. Residents who are keen to grow herbs

their engagement sessions begin. They begin. sessions engagement their cards to using behaviour cue have been Ms their needs. practice communicating cards shared that these cue Raman also to communicate instructions were used were at the Garden. when they activities have “These gardening their social and helped them to develop they learntbehavioural skills, and how themselves to communicate amongst When other. and work with each the garden in the residents come to our students, they future to work with to engage and will be better prepared not may they that people with interact who Raman, Ms said with,” familiar be MINDS WGS. is a senior teacher at Esmond and his classmate On Friday, Zhafran Haziq bin Shahid, 9, showed Mr Amin, Mr Koh and their parents around the garden. Using behaviour cue cards created by Ms Raman, student of Esmond Kang, a 9-year-old proclaimed and smiled WGS, MINDS himself as “happy Esmond” when asked how he felt when he was at garden. Mrs Kang, noted mother, Esmond’s that the garden has ignited Esmond’s interest in plants. She shared that her potted purchase to her ask would son plants. Esmond, who also could not tell the time, would however water his She also plants punctually everyday. said her son had grown to be more patient and responsible. with the interaction more encourage To MINDS WGS also intends community, to sell the herbs harvested from the this Admiralty Kampung at garden year onwards. “The proceeds will go towards helping the children at MINDS to develop said Mr Amin. themselves even further,” the Friendship Garden @ Woodlands the Friendship Garden @ Woodlands of with Mr Lawrence Chong, principal Gardens School MINDS Woodlands from Chua (WGS), Ms Chua Weiling, Foundation, and Mr Kelvin Koh, the Chief Executive Officer of MINDS, on November 15, 2019. Located adjacent to the school near 664 Ring Road and measuring Woodlands about 125 square metres, the new garden community disability-friendly features a wheelchair ramp as well as 11 different It boasts a raised planter. types of herbs and plants including lettuce, basil, curry leaves, ladyfinger, sweet and lemongrass beans, long potato leaves. Since late October 2019, the students have participated in gardening activities at least twice a week to plant and tend to their co-planted crops of beans. long and kangkong ladyfinger, Some of the students, particularly those with ASD, have also learnt how to when residents unfamiliar with interact oodlands, Esmond Kang, student of MINDS, Immanuel s/o oodlands, Esmond Kang, student of MINDS, Opening of the Friendship of the Friendship Opening @ Woodlands! Garden students with intellectual disabilities, persons with disabilities and residents to come together to get to know one another and build lasting relationships. Through these interactions with the be will students MINDS community, able to hone their social skills and when confidence social greater gain interacting with others apart from their families and friends. Mr , Senior Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Health, officially opened

Events (from left to right): Mr Kelvin Koh, CEO of MINDS, Ms Kelly Liu, a resident of W (from left to right): Mr Kelvin Koh, CEO of MINDS, Ministryof MINDS, Mr Amrin Amin, Senior Parliamentary student Ministry of Home Affairs & Secretary, Raja Rajendran Verma, of Health, Ms Haziq bin Shahid, Gardens School and Zhafran of MINDS Woodlands from Chua Foundation, Mr Lawrence Chong, principal Chua Weiling student of MINDS “They were so engrossed with gardening that we spent two hours explaining said, Raman Ms there,” that it was surprising for her and the students’ parents to see them being so enthusiastic about gardening, as get or tired become usually would they distracted after a while, or even dislike touching gardening materials such The garden, a first of its kind by the school with the community and sponsored by the Chua Foundation, for MINDS provides a common space as soil. For Ms Santha Raman’s class of students with Autism with students of class Raman’s Santha Ms For @ Spectrum Disorder (ASD), the Friendship Garden is a place where they nurtured their love Woodlands for gardening. They spent time in October diligently heaped with and pushing wheelbarrows shovelling soil, as well as watered and planted herbs in the garden under the sun. 10 Events 12 The heart voice of special people

Be sure to read all 6 books!

illustrated storybook series - A Place For Us

Adam – a child with special needs – is afraid of dogs. He thinks that dogs are scary, especially when they Not So Scary After All I Can Help You B-Boy Brothers bare their teeth. But all that changes when Adam meets Max, a friendly dog that helps him to find his Adam, a special needs child, is afraid of Eliza, a special needs child, helps to run Yusuf, a special needs child, can breakdance and dogs. One day at his friend’s house, he loses the school’s minimart. She enjoys helping beatbox. Only one thing makes him miserable – favourite toy train, which has gone missing. his favourite toy. Max, his friend’s pet dog, customers and being the cashier. When the a gang that taunts him daily about his difficulties finds the toy and returns it safely to Adam. owner of a provision shop near her home with reading and spelling. One day, Malik, the Will this help Adam overcome his fear has a fall, she offers to help out at his shop. leader of the gang, learns about Yusuf’s talents. This simple yet meaningful story, titled (GRC) as the guest of honour. Joining students from both schools were also of dogs? But he is doubtful she can do it. When his gang teases Yusuf again, Malik has to Not So Scary After All, is the first of six him were eighty guests, including treated to a storytelling session by decide whether he will make a stand and defend illustrated storybooks in a series called corporate partners and supporters Ms Ong herself, who also wrote the Yusuf. ‘A Place For Us’, commissioned by from HSBC, National Library Board successful Timmy & Tammy book series. MINDS. Written by children’s author (NLB), National Council of Social Ms Lianne Ong, these stories delve Service (NCSS), National Arts Council, Inspired by various real-life experiences into the world of children with special as well as students from Fernvale of MINDS students, each of the six needs. These books aim to provide Primary School. illustrated storybooks aims to convey special needs children with stories the true meaning of embracing and they can relate to, as well as educate In celebration of the book’s hero and empowering those with special needs, other young readers about special his new canine friend, MINDS also as well as drive home the importance needs children and the challenges they invited several four-legged friends of social inclusivity. Using simple stories may face. from Therapy Dogs Singapore to join with positive messages and beautifully us at the event, much to the excitement illustrated by Nicholas Liem, the books The book was launched on Valentine’s of the students from MINDS FGS and aim to build respect, empathy and Day 2019 at MINDS Fernvale Gardens Fernvale Primary School. Students from acceptance in the young readers. In School (FGS), with Mr , both schools played with the therapy doing so, Ms Ong also hopes to inspire Member of Parliament of Ang Mo Kio dogs, walked them around the school more children with special needs to Group Representation Constituency compound and even fed them. The show their abilities.

For instance, the story of B-Boy Brothers was inspired by the solid friendship that One Step at a Time He’s My Brother The Artist developed between two MINDS Towner Gardens School (TGS) students, Mohd Special needs student Vijay’s first vocational Gavin is Zac’s older brother. Zac has special Ying, a special needs volunteer, visits the Farid Mohd Feroze, 17 and Muhd training attachment takes place in a fancy needs. On an outing to the Botanic Gardens, neighbourhood nursing home every week. Ashraf Nizam Mohd Ali, 18. They hotel restaurant. He feels overwhelmed with Gavin has to put up with Zac’s habits and She befriends a resident, Mrs Chen, and they wowed the crowd at the Purple Parade the amount of work but reminds himself to quirks. But he is also reminded that Zac’s spend time together playing games and going 2019 with their sleek breakdancing and take one step at a time. Things get better, unusual way of thinking can be helpful to for walks. Ying loves to paint and one day, energetic beatboxing. until there is an incident at the restaurant. people. she invites Mrs Chen to paint with her. But when Mrs Chen gets upset at the idea, Ying Supported by the Ministry of Education, finds out why. NLB and NCSS, all the books in the series are given to mainstream primary Mindspeak schools as well as special education schools for circulation. They are Where you can borrow, or purchase these books: Man’s best friend: Mr Gan Thiam Poh, the guest of honour, with the therapy dogs from also available for borrowing at NLB • NLB Public libraries Therapy Dogs Singapore and students from MINDS Fernvale Gardens School and Fernvale public libraries and also sold in local Primary School at the book launch of Not So Scary After All. Therapy dogs are known to bookstores. • All Popular bookstores provide comfort and affection to people. For persons with special needs, the dogs’ presence • Armour Publishing’s website, www.armourpublishing.com 13 help to calm and soothe them Mindspeak 15 MP Ms , guest of MP Ms Joan Pereira, guest honour at the event, along with the former Mr Scott Wightman, British High Commissioner to Singapore and the MINDS drummers putting Perform Taiko their best foot forward to show off their brightly coloured socks Down in celebration of World Syndrome Day The heart people of special voice making at World Speech Day, but Speech Day, World making at to the to overcome it thanks managed audience from a young encouragement syndrome, who member with Down pregnant silence clapped for her in the Pereira reaffirmedthat followed. Ms leave persons the commitment to never behind, just with intellectual disability had not left her like how the little boy on stage. behind when she froze MP Ms Joan Pereira, the guest of honour, and Tan Jun Jie, and Tan MP Ms Joan Pereira, the guest of honour, a student at MINDS LGS, arranging the products on the shelves at the minimart , guest of honour, Member of Parliament Member of Parliament guest of honour, GRC, Ms Joan Pereira Pagar for Tanjong patron Choong Kong, and Dr Cheong given a colourfulof MINDS, were a box filled surprise when they opened balloons. with brightly coloured touching shared a Ms Pereira also storyof how she experienced stage was speech she fright during a I Can Help You Help Can I Ms Lianne Ong, the author of regales audiences with the story of Eliza, a special needs child who taps on the vocational skills she picked up at school, to help Uncle Hock Seng at his provision shop (TDCs) were also invited to join in join to invited also were (TDCs) MINDS Several on the celebrations. servingthe with assisted eagerly clients guests, to snacks and ofbeverages supportwhile clients with higher needs to Ms Ong, who listened attentively Help You. read aloud from I Can with colourfulThe venue was decorated and the handmade by clients, streamers , where with MINDS Lee I Can Help You I Can Help You Kong Chian Gardens School (LGS) Guest of honour Member of Parliament student Xiao Xue, and Dr Cheong (MP) Ms Joan Pereira holding a copy Choong Kong, Patron of MINDS of 16 have received vocational training and are well-equipped to run a store Guests also and man the counters. walked over to SIA-MINDS Employment (SMEDC) thrift Development Centre’s by SMEDC shop, which was manned trainees age 18 and above. The thrift shop sells various items such as and clothes, books, toys and stationery, provides employment opportunities for the trainees. to central is also experience retail This the narrative of Eliza, the heroine with special needs, taps on her knowledge of her training run Seng Uncle Hock school to help at his provision store. In line with the theme of 2019’s WDSD celebration, “Leave No One Behind”, clients from the Employment Development Centres (EDCs) and & Development Centres Training World Down Down World Day Syndrome Apart from the book launch, the invited guests at MINDs Lee Kong Chian Gardens School (LGS), such as partnersneighbouring from and students several pre-schools, were also treated to a unique shopping experience at the in-school minimart and thrift shop. The in-school minimart was built in 2003 to help MINDS students with vocational training. LGS students played host to their guests that day: serving beverages and minimart.the of running the managing Like Eliza, these students aged 13 to . I Can Help You Events In an effort to educate young readers about children with special needs, MINDS commissioned six storybooks detailing the experiences of various special needs children, written by local Ong and Ms Lianne author children’s illustrated by Mr Nicholas Liem. The book tells the story of how a girl with Down syndrome, Eliza, helps out provision shop at her neighbourhood’s Seng, is Uncle Hock after its owner, injured during a fall. The World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) Down Syndrome The World celebrations at MINDS on March 21, 2019 held the Apart from extra meaning for us this year. usual celebratory activities, MINDS also launched series, the second book in the six-volume children’s titled 14 Mindspeak 17 The heart people of special voice MINDS Woodlands Gardens School MINDS Woodlands students performing a Hawaiian-themed dance at the event Ms Wee Jie Yin, Chairmanof Yin, Jie Wee Ms MINDS MYG, the subsidiary volunteer wing of MINDS, receiving the Distinguished Service from Dr award Cheong Choong Kong, Patron of MINDS and guest of honour at the event MINDS Fernvale Gardens School students thrilled audiences with their sleek dance moves during a K-Pop and hip-hop fusion dance MINDS Perform taiko drummers welcoming Dr Cheong Choong Kong, Patron of MINDS and & Donor Appreciation Day 2019 guest of honour at the Volunteer Ms Jennifer Poh, a volunteer from the Me an award from Dr Club, receiving Too! Cheong Choong Kong, Patron of MINDS and guest of honour at the event

Layang , for the MINDS , for the MINDS Rehearsal and Film Festival held in 2018. Film Festival donated generously OCBC Bank money to support MINDS in the setting first ever clinic for up of Singapore’s disabilities, persons with intellectual Disabilities the MINDS Developmental The clinic Medical Clinic (MDDMC). the noticed MINDS after up set was services of appropriate healthcare lack disabilities for persons with intellectual clinic, which was in Singapore. The 2018, is the first officially opened in devoted medical clinic in Singapore to providing medical services for such persons. partners and donors from Volunteers, schools, universities, public service agencies, organisations and private companies were also present to receive awards from MINDS. The support from these partners and organisations MINDS’ improving towards gone have special education schools and training development centres, thus enhancing the quality of life, skills, and employability of our MINDS clients. Apart from a rousing welcome performance by the talented MINDS taiko drum troupe, MINDS Fernvale Gardens School and MINDS Gardens School also Woodlands put up entertaining song and dance performancesThis for the audience. included a dikir barat performance, a hip-hop and K-pop fusion dance, and a Hawaii-themed dance routine. Guests were also treated to a sumptuous buffet lunch after the ceremony. MINDS is truly grateful and appreciative for all our volunteers, partners and and contributed have who donors supported us in numerous ways! Layang by MINDS, and also supportedalso and MINDS, by the of two shortcommission films,

Amongst those who were lauded for their dedication and generosity were Ms Prisicilia Lau, a recipient of the Meritorious Service award, and Jurong Pioneer Junior College, who received the Friend of MINDS Valued Partner award. Ms Lau, who runs a fruit stall, TY Fruits 3, has been Pte Ltd at Clementi Ave donating fruits and groceries to both times Clementi and Faber TDC several a week. Jurong Pioneer JC, meanwhile, opened up their school and generously allowed MINDS MYG, the subsidiary volunteer wing of MINDS, to conduct the Annual Camp for the Intellectually Disabled, known as ACID for short, at their school for almost a decade. Many MINDS MYG volunteers also for their unwavering took home awards commitment to beneficiaries with intellectual disability. Corporate partners such as Dell Singapore, Goldman Sachs, HSBC, Maybank Singapore, OCBC Bank and awards for their Singtel also received support.generous HSBC For instance, generously sponsored the publication books commissioned of six children’s Kong, Patron of MINDS and the guest of members of as well as several honour, the board and the senior management of MINDS. These awards included the the Friends of Commendation Award, MINDS Distinguished Service Award, and ServiceMeritorious the Award and Silver Gold, MINDS of Friend the Bronze Awards.

Events Volunteers, donors Volunteers, and partners having a good time at the event, where more than 90 of them received awards for their contributions and support On 12 October 2019, almost 95 On 12 October 2019, volunteers, partners and organisations at the event, which received awards was graced by Dr Cheong Choong their contributions. Launched in 2013, the Volunteer Launched in 2013, the Volunteer and Donor Appreciation Day is held biennially to give recognition to individuals and organisations for our volunteers and donors volunteers our In celebration of our volunteers and donors, and in an effort to recognise and appreciate the efforts of all our partners who have made a significant contribution to our clients, MINDS held its fourth and Donor Appreciation Day at Joyden Volunteer Hall on October 12, 2019. commitment and generosity of and generosity commitment Celebrating the dedication, the dedication, Celebrating 16 Mindspeak 19

Executive Chef Bobby Saravanan Executive Chef Bobby student congratulating a MINDS after the event Mr Saravanan brought all the MINDS students up on stage with him and introduced them proudly to the audience toward the end of the dinner The heart people of special voice up and to keep pressing on. Many keep pressing on. up and to which to him for a hug, of them went he obliged. agreed Vijeya Mdm and Chan Ms Both that this opportunityunequivocally was for the students, as incredibly valuable it gave them an opportunity to learn an industryfrom and work alongside professional. “I am very proud of them,” Mdm Vijeya said. MINDS students also served the guests at the VIP tables alongside the professional servers and servedand poured and dishes several drinks for the guests, all without a hitch. last course was served,When the Mr MINDS brought all the Saravanan him and on stage with students up proudly to the introduced them applauded them audience, all of whom for their delicious food. when Mr the night, the end of At 13 the farewell to Saravanan bade to never give students, he told them Check out the dishes prepared by Executive Chef Bobby Saravanan and the MINDS students! Mdm Vijeya also noted that the students noted that the students also Mdm Vijeya working teamwork by displayed from despite being together closely different schools. students, three other the dinner, At Dianne Estacio Olarte, Nurul Athirah and Muhd Asyraf Bte Mohd Nazid assigned to serveBin Abu Zarim, were tables alongside guests at the VIP professional servers. They worked attentively to the closely and listened serversprofessional them, guided who

Our MINDS students busy preparing the appetisers and the main course at the kitchen of Gardens by the Bay “That’s when I see this glow in them. when I see this “That’s All of them are like (telling themselves), I am going to work like a okay, professional,” she said. The entire experience was not without Mdm Vijeya its challenges, however. Maniam, a teacher from WGS who accompanied the WGS students, mentioned that she was worried for them when she saw how large and heavy the equipment at the professional kitchen at Holiday Inn was. The kitchen was where the students would be trained to cook, prepare food and do performance their plating. However, exceeded her expectations. She champions,” out came “They said, beaming. It also helped that Mr Saravanan was patient and kind with the students, giving them clear instructions, doing demonstrations and treating them as equals in the kitchen, both teachers said. Three students, Mohd Farid Bin Mohammed Feroze, Mohd Shahmeer Toh, Bin Mohd Rafiq, and Shannon were also made team leaders by Mr Saravanan. They led three teams that parta tackle each would menu: the of appetizers, the soup and main course, and the pastry. Executive Chef Bobby Saravanan from Holiday Inn giving a briefing before the dinner preparation would give them a glimpse into the role of a professional chef and prepare them for work in a professional culinary kitchen by honing their practical and social skills. “They will never feel fear in the future whenever they go for (a job in) any F&B he said. industry,” The students were actively involved in naming and giving suggestions to improve the dishes that were to be served, which Mr Saravanan made sure instance, For consideration. into take to he replaced pineapples with mangoes for the dessert course after a taste test with the students, as the students said mangoes would complement the dessert better. A main highlight for many of the students was the moment when they received their chef uniforms. Ms Chan Mei Ling, a teacher at TGS who oversaw the students’ stint with Holiday Inn, said that putting on the uniform made it as them, to deal great a meant them take their roles as chefs seriously. in the making Events This inclusive collaboration first took first collaboration inclusive This MINDS approached MSF when root Orchard and the Holiday Inn Singapore City Centre, with the intent of getting both organisations to work together to prepare dinner for the 400 attendees. the schools leapt at the Naturally, opportunity to do so, and Executive Chef Bobby Saravanan from Holiday Inn took 10 students from MINDS WGS and TGS under his wing in preparation for the dinner on November 1, 2019. Mr Saravanan, who said he was “really excited” to work with the students, expressed hope that this opportunity It was where many of them had the opportunity to whip up a four course meal for guests at the Ministry of (MSF) Social and Family Development’s 2019, and Partner Awards Volunteer and where some of them personally served the guests, which included the Minister for Social and Family Development, Mr Desmond Lee, who was guest of honour at the dinner. For a group of thirteen students from MINDS of thirteen students from For a group Garden School (WGS) and MINDS Woodlands Gardens School (TGS), the Gardens by the Towner Bay was a truly special place. 18 Mindspeak

21

Seh Kiat Seh

Ms Nurhartini Ms

Ms Wong Jing Wen and Mr Neo Neo Mr and Wen Jing Wong Ms

(From left to right, in the front row): row): front the in right, to left (From

TOs Ms Nur Liyana, Mr Bilaahari, Bilaahari, Mr Liyana, Nur Ms TOs (From left to right, in the back row): row): back the in right, to left (From The heart people of special voice

Ms Kwok said that YTDC intends to intends YTDC that said Kwok Ms select other themes for future Racial Harmonyso that celebrations, Day clients may learn more about their friends from different races.

Chinese wedding attire wedding Chinese

Ms Kalaichelvi Subbiah and and Subbiah Kalaichelvi Ms Mr Ho Buck Lim in traditional traditional in Lim Buck Ho Mr

Ms Low Wei Ting and Mr Mohd Huzaini in

western wedding attire After lunch, the clients were treated to a screening of various videos depicting different wedding cultures and traditions in Singapore. They also sang their hearts out to Chinese, Malay, a at songs Filipino and English Indian, sing-a-long session. bearers carrying the bunga manggar, carryingbearers manggar, bunga the colourful decorative items commonly held in front of the bridal procession during a Malay wedding. The clients also gamely took part in where they strutted a fashion runway, down the hall in their wedding attire after a photo-taking session. Accompanied speakers, the by music playing from YTDC clients walked into the wedding hall as bridal couples, beaming while an excited crowd cheered them on. to share with our clients wanted “We the different wedding cultures in Singapore, and to also share the types of traditional music played at weddings from different races,” said Ms Marina Kwok, supervisor at YTDC.

baju

qun kua

. Her ‘groom’, Mr Muhd . They were flanked by two Clients Ms Low Wei Ting and Mr Mohd Ting Clients Ms Low Wei two-piece suit Huzaini wore a typical take on and a gown for a Western Jing Wen weddings, while Ms Wong and Mr Neo Seh Kiat posed as a bride She wedding. Indian an at groom and wore a pink and gold sulwar suit while he wore a blue sherwani. Ms Kalaichelvi Subbiah donned a wedding Chinese traditional embroidered with scarlet dragons while her ‘groom’, Mr Ho Buck Lim, sported his across strapped bow red bright a chest and a shirt with a mandarin collar. member, centre fellow her Meanwhile, floral beautiful, a wore Hui, Yi Tan Ms baju kurung Ridzwan, was dressed in a blue (From left to right, all standing in the back row): officer (TO) Mr Ho Buck Lim, Training Ms Faridah, Mr Desmond, TO Ms Puteri, Man Seng Mr Tay (From left to right, in the front row): Hui, Mr Muhd Ridzwan Yi Ms Tan melayu Both clients and staff alike were encouraged to put on ethnic costumes for the celebration. Many clients came dressed in their own traditional costumes, with the training officers instance, training joining in too. For YTDC and Pasia Brayn Jay Mr officer also Christopher Sam Mr client donned the national costume from the Philippines, the barong tagalog. In preparation for the theme, YTDC staff also enthusiastically dressed several clients in traditional wedding garb and grooms donned by brides typically of different races in Singapore. Gamely pitching in to help were the parents of our clients, who lent a hand by assisting to dress their guardian or child in ethnic wedding attire.

A multi-racial wedding celebration! Events

and a Racial Harmony Day at Harmony Racial & Training Yishun Centre Development

There was a creative twist taken by MINDS There was a creative twist & Development Centre (YTDC) Yishun Training Day on July 23, to celebrate Racial Harmony of cultural 2019 – to emulate the festivities weddings in Singapore! Four 20 Mindspeak 23 The heart people of special voice modified hockey sticks and balls for the modified hockey sticks and balls for the clients to practice during the sessions. The clients enjoyed doing hockey drills such as hitting the ball into the goal one-on-one received even and posts, training from the coaches. The coaches also helped to boost the clients’ stamina runs taken by training them through around the field. Apart from learning the basics, clients were also given a chance to hit the ball into the goal post with modified supportequipment and hockey from the coaches and ETDC training staff. score a goal, each client was also To taught how to maneuver the ball using a proper technique. the training Through this activity, officers had the opportunity to witness the clients’ spontaneous display of at everyand perseverance teamwork lesson. “It is an eye-opener to see my clients do well on things we hardly think they able be should clients Our do. can to participate in activities like these, because they can show us more of their abilities, instead of us seeing the disability in them,” said Mr Jerome. Thank you Singapore Hockey Federation, for working with MINDS to pull off this incredibly meaningful engagement! Ten excited clients from Eunos Training & Development Centre (ETDC) & Development excited clients from Eunos Training Ten Federation for a hockeyjoined the coaches from the Singapore Hockey August 2018 clinic at Sengkang Hockey Stadium beginning ETDC training officer Mr Paul Jerome, ETDC training officer Mr Paul Jerome, who oversaw the learning sessions, said that the clients looked forward to such activities held outside of the an such that mentioned also He centre. activity would give them an opportunity gross to practice and enhance their motor skills, cognitive skills and their coordination. make to excited also were clients The new friends with the coaches from the SHF. “Once we reached Sengkang Hockey Stadium, some of them got very excited and were eager to meet the coaches for the sessions,” said Mr Jerome. During each session, one to two coaches from the SHF took the time to teach clients basic hockey skills. This included the correct way to hold the hockey sticks, and maneuvers to pass the ball to other players. The coaches from SHF also kindly lent ETDC 10 ETDC clients learning basic hockey skills, such as passing the ball to one another with the Singapore Hockey Federation Engagements For some of the clients at MINDS Eunos & Development Centre (ETDC), Training nothing could be more fun than playing In fact, a rousing game of field hockey. first ETDC clients’ some of the it was time holding hockey sticks and learning about field hockey. Thanks to the coaches from the Singapore Hockey Federation (SHF), 10 ETDC clients had the opportunity to attend 10 hockey sessions every morning at the Sengkang Wednesday Hockey Stadium. This started from August 2018 and ended in January 2019. commonly more also hockey, Field game outdoor an is hockey, as known played by two opposing teams made up of 11 players each. The players use sticks curved at the end to hit a small, which goalpost, a into ball white hard is guarded by the opposing team’s goalie. What’s a great way to beat the afternoon slump? a great way to beat the afternoon What’s A game of field hockey!

the community. the community. Reuben show Diane and Jian, “Wei that people with intellectual disabilities, opportunitythe given when the and right support, can stand as equals in added Mr Manokara. society,” MINDS hopes that more organisations will step forward to join the research knowledge their share and coalition to improve the community and the disability sector. to become a more inclusive society,” to become a more inclusive society,” said Mr Manokara. The launch of the inclusive research project was shared at the forum by and Jian from DSA(S) Wei Mr Wang of Director O’Brien, Patricia Professor the Centre for Disability Studies at the them of both The Sydney. of University were co-keynote speakers at the forum. It is believed to be the first time a special needs person has assumed the role of a co-speaker for the keynote address at the forum, and in Singapore. was also a participant in two Mr Wang separate inclusive research workshops organized by Professor O’Brien, which in held in Singapore was previously March and July this year. At the forum, Ms Diane Olivario and Mr Reuben Khanal, two self-advocates from They emcees. as up doubled also OLOV, took the opportunity to share questions that they hope future research may help to solve and advance inclusivity in Ms Diane Olivario, an OLOV self-advocate a speech Yafen, (centre, in red), and Ms Teo therapist from the Cerebral Palsy Alliance were emcees at Singapore (CPAS), the darFORUM

to Service and (NCSS) Singapore Rainbow Centre. These organisations are also members of the DRC. Representing MINDS at the forum were our Allied Health Professionals (AHPs), MIIDD team and staff, who shared their experiences when it came to improving the lives of persons with intellectual disabilities. The highlight of the forum was the launch of a tripartite collaboration amongst self-advocates from the ‘Our (OLOV) programme, Lives, Our Voices’ the DRC, and inclusive researchers from the Centre for Disability Studies in Sydney. OLOV is a programme jointly organized by MINDS & DSA(S) to empower teenagers with intellectual and developmental disabilities age 16 and above to become self-advocates. Co-ordinated by the DRC, of which inclusive the co-chair, is MINDS research project is the first of its kind involving persons with special needs as opportunityrare a is This co-researchers. for our Singaporean self-advocates and their Australian counterparts to jointly research about forging healthy friendships and relationships. “This sets the tone for the next couple of years in terms of making inroads towards using research as a tool to understand what it takes for Singapore inclusive

Events

The forum was jointly organised by with Persons for Association MINDS, Special Needs (APSN), Cerebral Palsy Down Alliance Singapore, (CPAS), Singapore Association Syndrome (DSA(S)), National Council of Social “This forum shows what can be broken’ are ‘walls when achieved and synergy is fostered. The breakout sessions at the end aims to continue this research key with manner, strategic a in areas disability different in topics different from practitioners by proposed organisations,” said Mr Vimallan Manokara, head of MINDS Institute of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (MIIDD) and chairman darFORUM organising of this year’s committee. “The disability research coalition (DRC) will work with some of these practitioners to come together, form research teams and carry out these applied research projects that impact. Over will have sector-wide the increase will this hope we time, standards of evidence-based practice in In turn, improve the this will the sector. quality of services and programmes in the disability sector in Singapore,” Mr Manokara said. These projects aim to improve programmes, practice, professional serviceand delivery sector. the within The forum also provides a platform to foster cross-disciplinary learning and collaboration for inter-organization practitioners from various disciplines. The disability sector in Singapore achieved a sector in Singapore achieved The disability

new milestone in 2019 with the inaugural new milestone in 2019 with Forum (darFORUM), Disability Applied Research 22, 2019 at the which took place on March Enabling Village. brings together The forum various organizations practitioners and staff from and innovative projects. to share applied research research research

conduct conduct Taking 22 Mindspeak 25 Forming other MINDS two Parade Purple the at contingent 2019 were volunteers from MINDS MYG and the MeToo! Club, as well as various MINDS clients and clients from volunteering projects. MINDS clients, caregivers and volunteers hitting the streets and soaking up the atmosphere during the Purple Parade The heart people of special voice of honour Deputy Prime Minister Mr , Minister for Social Desmond Mr Development Family and Lee, as well as Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP), paralympic swimmer Pin Xiu and celebrities such as Ms Yip Elvin Ng, Eelyn Kok and . Ms Phua also invited MINDS client Mr Kiran Raj, 23, one of the faces of the Purple Parade up on stage to join her in the pledge taking. purple confetti showered the Just before cheering audience, Ms Phua said with pledge to be a society, conviction: “We where all persons will lead dignified and meaningful lives.’ thank all our supporters, volunteers, We partnersand corporate walking for alongside our clients in this show of solidarity for inclusivity!

Purple Parade! Bakers sold like hotcakes at theBakers sold Cookies made with love by MINDSCookies made CCA teacher, Mrs Chua Chye Hong. Mrs Chua CCA teacher, In preparation for the performance, Farid and Ashraf have been practicing their beat-boxing and dance routine wowed the They since last year. crowd with their nifty beatboxing and sleek dance moves, with Ashraf even garnering cheers from the crowd for executing his gravity-defying dance moves and a cartwheel. Meanwhile, over at the carnival, as a testament to how popular and delicious the cookies by MINDS Bakers were, all 250 packets of cookies had sold out even before the entire event ended at 7pm. afternoon,the In Central of Mayor the District Singapore, Ms , the of a recitation the crowd in led Purple Parade pledge, including guest As part of the concert line-up, of group M2, comprising percussion MINDS Perform and taiko drummers volunteers, made Maybank Singapore at Purple Parade its second appearance officer training MINDS by Led year. this the group put Mr Ramlan bin Rasidi, up an energetic performance using and taught the multi-ethnic percussions Singapore Town audience how to ‘sing’ use which makes using keyword signs, and verbal of manual hand gestures communication to communicate. the parade Joining MINDS after were our very and own beatboxing breakdancing duo, Mohd Farid Bin Muhd and 17, Feroze, Mohammed Ashraf Nizam Mohd Ali, 18, former Gardens students of MINDS Towner School (TGS). In preparation for the performance, Farid and Ashraf, who go by their stage name the B-Boy Buddies, have known each other since they were 11. The self-taught dancers would share on breakdancing videos YouTube and beatboxing with each other and their for moves dance choreograph MINDS training officer Mr Ramlan bin Rasidi and M2 teaching the crowd to ‘sing’ keyword signs using Singapore Town The MINDS x Maybank contingent all ready and raring to go! B-Boy Buddies Mohd Farid (left) and Muhd Ashraf (right) wowing the crowd with their beatboxing and breakdancing performance. In preparation for their performance at the Purple Parade, the duo have been practicing since 2018 at waves made out of cloths, our clients & from IEDC and Eunos Training Development Centre (ETDC) walked with proudly shoulder to shoulder Maybank Singapore volunteers down the to waved contingent The streets. the exuberant crowd of supporters clad in purple, who cheered them on joyously. opportunityhad the also clients The to tour the carnival and purchase items using coupons kindly sponsored by Maybank Singapore. Forming two other MINDS contingent with various MINDS clients and clients from volunteering projects were MINDS MYG, the subsidiary voluntary wing of Club, a group MINDS, and the MeToo! run by volunteers geared at enhancing of people with the social integration intellectual disabilities (PWIDs) through leisure and befriending activities.

of

Engagements

Decked out in purple shirts and carrying their holographic, sea-themed umbrella as such props handmade jellyfishes, starfishes, ripples and Indeed, the abilities of our MINDS Indeed, the abilities were on full clients and students Purple Parade, display at this year’s courtesythe In Singapore. Maybank of lead up to Purple Parade, Maybank Singapore volunteers headed down to Centre Development Idea-Employment (IEDC) to make parade props with the clients. The Purple Parade, which promotes which Parade, Purple The awareness and celebrates the abilities of event an is needs, special with persons participatesMINDS that fail without in MINDS participated in all 3 each year. Cs of the Parade: Contingent, Concert and Carnival.

Purple Parade 2019 Purple Parade theme for this year’s Sea Our Abilities was the took to the streets near Purple Parade as MINDS 2, 2019 alongside Suntec City on November corporate partner and sponsor for the parade, Maybank Singapore. A Sea 24 Mindspeak 27 Faber TDC cheering their clients on with pompoms, maracas and tambourines The heart people voice of special The heart people of special voice Ms Catherine Yong, who accompanied who accompanied Yong, Ms Catherine Clementi Jeanette Nonis from her niece, Day that the Family TDC, mentioned opportunitywas a good Jeanette to for but easily, tired gets “She active. get said Ms Yong. she enjoyed the games,” of the event also A special segment saw caregivers participating in a game task of passing where they had the tricky one another using a ping pong ball to paper tubes. this need a break, so caregivers “We is a good way to relieve stress,” said Madam Zarina, caregiver of Maisarah, merrier this way, from Jurong TDC. “It’s caregivers other with up meet you when with up catch and them, know to get to them.” , Bowl Chap , were also present to award Clementi TDC began with a strong lead strong a with began TDC Clementi and finished as champions of the day, garneringacross 35 points of total a Jurong and TDC Faber games. three all and second TDC were the runner-up Each and every respectively. runner-up client was given a medal to celebrate their achievements. These prizes were Simon Mr by sponsored generously Member of the Bukit Neo, Executive Citizens’ Executive Senior Timah Committees (SCEC), while Bowl Chap a local hawker store, sponsored the Jin Lee Mr lunch. and caregivers’ clients’ Rong and Ms Lee Pei Sin, the owners of medals to our delighted clients along with Mdm Lilian Lee, chairperson of the Residents’ Committee. Bukit Timah The TDCs competed against each other in three sports stations: ring toss, bean and the hula hoop loop. bag throw, Faber TDC clients who were seated at the sidelines came ready with pom poms, tambourines and maracas to cheer on their fellow participants, a lending carnival-like mood to the atmosphere. Despite their physical limitations, many of the clients were eager to try their hand at the games. “Gracia woke up she this. She insisted and early for bright could stand on her own and participate in the games,” said a beaming Ms Edna Pamintuan, caregiver of Ms Gracia Png, who was one of the participants from Faber TDC. Bukit Timah Grassroots Adviser and Senior Minister of State, MinistryBukit Timah of Communications and Information & Ministry of a special guest to the event Ms , was invited as Culture, Community and Youth, Clients enjoying the ring Clients enjoying the ring toss station, which was created by volunteers and training officers using everyday items such as bottles of water and soft drinks Thanks to Mr Simon Neo, Executive Senior Citizens’ Member of the Bukit Timah Executive Committees who generously sponsored the prizes, every client left as Here, Mr Bryan Lim, winners for the day. acting director of Residential & Community- based Care Services, cheers with a MINDS client after presenting her with a medal. at Bukit Timah and Timah at Bukit Caregiver Ms Edna Pamintuan and MINDS Faber TDC client Ms Gracia Png enjoying the mass dance MINDS MINDS Engagements Making creative use of everyday drinks, baskets, items such as unopened bottles of sportsup set volunteers hoops, and hula bags bean TDCs. each of the for stations After a visit by Bukit Timah Grassroots Adviser and Senior Minister of State, Ministry Grassroots Adviser and After a visit by Bukit Timah of Communications and Information & Ministry and Youth, of Culture, Community Ms Sim Ann, volunteers and MINDS training officers led clients in a warm up activity. Accompanied by energetic music, the clients participated enthusiastically in a mass dance alongside their training officers, caregivers and volunteers. Volunteers from Bukit Timah CC, including the Bukit Timah CC Youth Executive CC Youth CC, including the Bukit Timah from Bukit Timah Volunteers Committee (YEC), turned up to cheer the clients on and facilitate the games. The CC and corporate event, generously supported by various sponsors from Bukit Timah partners, saw caregivers and clients from three different TDCs located in the west competing in team games. MINDS Clementi Training & Development MINDS Clementi Training Centre (CTDC) won big at the Bukit Timah and MINDS Family Day 2019, which was organised on October 21, 2019, at Bukit Timah Community Club. It was the first combined sports day jointly organised Timah CC by Bukit TDCs.with Clementi, Faber and Jurong 26 Mindspeak 29

be a responsible citizen about their rights & how to how & rights their about Supporting self-advocates to express their feelings Empowering self-advocates to speak up for themselves and share their stories with The heart people of special voice If you would like to collaborate or Voices’ Our Lives, ‘Our with are interested to find out more kindly about self-advocacy, Project Lai, Lenny contact at MINDS, from Executive [email protected] or at 6479 5655 (ext. 272).

About ‘Our Lives, Our Voices’ (OLOV) Lives, Our Voices’ ‘Our programme NCSS-funded an is jointly organized by MINDS & Down Syndrome Association (Singapore). The first self- advocacy programme of its kind in Singapore, ‘Our Lives, empowers and Our Voices’ young and youth develops adults (age 16 and above) with intellectual & developmental self- become to disabilities advocates. The project seeks to do so by: • • others • Educating self-advocates OLOV self-advocates OLOV self-advocates Declaration examining the of Independence.

Needless to say, we are immensely we are say, Needless to proud of all the OLOV self-advocates who not only embody the true spirit of curiosity and learning, but also, exemplify a steadfast commitment to become champions and advocates for their community! Kudos to this outstanding group of individuals! of the beginning is just hope this We opportunitiesgreater individuals for with intellectual and developmental disabilities to be a representative voice and a beacon of hope and inspiration for their community. “This visit is significant for all involved significant for all involved “This visit is as our Our Voices’, in ‘Our Lives, learningGovernmentthe about mooted was first and Parliament themselves. by the self-advocates to visit the The fact that they voted their desire to Parliament signals of their rights grow in awareness as contributing and responsibilities Mr Lenny said citizens,” Singaporean MINDS, at executive project Lai, participantsthe accompanied who to the Parliament.

Mr Ethan Lee from the Education and Publicity department of the Parliament of Singapore, speaking with the OLOV self-advocates. had representation from people with disabilities. Some Nominated Members of Parliament (NMPs) include former NMP and lawyer Ms Chia and current NMP and Yong, Yong Pin Xiu. Paralympic swimmer Ms Yip Ms Chia is the first wheelchair user to have had a place in Parliament, is the youngest NMP to while Ms Yip have taken up at the post. When Ms took up the post in 2018, she Yip was 26. The self-advocates also asked serious is law the how as such questions, made for persons with special needs, as well as posed questions touching on marriage and voting rights, especially if a voter was overseas. society. It was certainly not an everyday society. for the participantsencounter as they the opportunityeagerly seized to raise questions. the self-advocates So enthusiastic were asked if it was that one of them also to work at the possible to apply is, of course a Parliament. (The answer resounding yes). they were More importantly, the Parliament of keen to know if has, or has ever Singapore currently It was a truly stimulating experience It was a truly stimulating experience for the group as it was their first time setting foot in the Parliament. The group was given an exclusive tour around the premises by Mr Ethan Lee from the Education and Publicity department, and was also deeply engaged in a Question & Answer dialogue with Senior Principal Assistant Clerk Ms Chua Lin Hwee from the Parliamentary Clerks Department. Ms Chua also graciously accepted a token of appreciation on behalf of MP Ms Denise Phua, and also answered the self-advocates from questions many regarding parliamentary proceedings and how they can further in participate

our Parliament! As part of the self-advocacy programme, the self-advocates proposed group goals they wanted to achieve in 2019, eventually shortlisting to visit either the Night Safari or the Parliament of learningfor their Singapore journey. and voted group the Remarkably, made a unified decision to visit

Experience OLOV is jointly organised by Down Syndrome Association (Singapore) and MINDS, and aims to empower youth or and young adults with intellectual developmental disabilities age 16 and above to become self-advocates – to speak and stand up for themselves, to learn about their rights and to exercise their rights as responsible, contributing Singaporeans. Eleven self-advocates from the ‘Our Lives, Our Eleven self-advocates from had their (OLOV) self-advocacy programme Voices’ wishes fulfilled when they took a special trip down to the Parliament on November 11, 2019. Eleven OLOV self-advocates Eleven OLOV self-advocates made a trip to the Parliament for of Singapore after voting as it over the Night Safari their 2019 group goal. They are pictured here with Mr Kelvin Koh, CEO of MINDS (extreme left in purple), Ms in (third from left, Li Shu Yun blue), Deputy Chairperson of Down Syndrome Association (Singapore), as well as MINDS and DSA(S) staff, volunteers and Parliament guides. 28 Mindspeak 31 The heart people of special voice A Sharity character bento, or kyaraben, made using simple ingredients such as cheese, seaweed and pink rice at the workshop conducted by Ms Shirley Wong and organized by the Community Chest Ms Chin (left) and Mr Steven Teo (right) working on her Sharity bento. Mr Teo, who runs (right) working on her Sharity bento. Mr Teo, Ms Chin (left) and Mr Steven Teo attended the workshop with his daughter. a blog titled The Perfect Father, and pieces of seaweed to transform the mundane-looking pink rice into the familiar elephant mascot. praised the MINDS Ms Wong participantswell” doing “equally for after the workshop, adding, “I think all the bentos they made today look just as good as the rest of the workshops I have conducted.” “I feel very happy to learn all this,” said Ms Chin Mee Fong, an SMEDC client. Added a confident Ms Ong Mun Leng, a fellow client at MINDS, after the workshop: “Bento is easy to make! I will share the bento with my friends.” Ms Chin Mee Fong from MINDS SMEDC concentrating on preparing ingredients needed for her Sharity bento. on , is an kyaraben creations on social Little Miss Bento -looking bentos originated featuring Disney characters kyaraben kawaii elaborately arranged lunchbox, which is also called a bento in Japanese. Each bento contains food decorated to look like animals, people and characters anime. or shows TV popular from These from Japan and took East Asia by storm on hopping began people many after the bento bandwagon and shared their amazing kyarabens the Pooh, Ms Wong such as Winnie taught the class how to recreate Instagram-worthy bentos featuring cuddly pink Community Chest’s Sharity, elephant mascot, who was introduced to encourage caring and sharing within schools and in the community. inclusive this at clients MINDS Joining of children the were workshop bento and students personalities other online from the Canossian School, who generously pitched in to help SMEDC clients and the Canossian students work on their bentos. The clients learned how to knead the rice into the shape of Sharity the elephant, and used simple ingredients such as cheese, edamame, omelette Character bento, or media. out on this popular Not wanting to miss trend, our SMEDC clients joined the talented and popular Ms Shirley Wong, an online culinary cookbook star and organized by at a workshop author, Community Chest in April 2019. as known Better social media for creating beautiful Whipping up a meal is challenging enough, but the a meal is challenging enough, Whipping up Employment Development SIA-MINDS clients from ante by preparing a Centre (SMEDC) upped the only tasted delicious, but character bento that not looked too pretty to eat! Inclusivity in in Inclusivity of the form such as beans. With the help of devices such as beans. With comes when it a counting board such as to packing, clients such as Ms Yeap Qinyan get to overcome the challenge of counting sequentially and achieve accuracy and efficiency in her task. These trainings are also carried out to adapt clients JTDC to let frequently the momentum of an actual, typical work environment. The clients showed great improvement within a short span of time after they began training in January 2019 this Supportedunit. WRS the at year a by team of encouraging staff who made sure the clients had a room that was conducive for training, they were able with practice and skills their hone to actual sets of items such as cutlery, sachets and beans. This resulted in an astounding success in the initiative. targeted more Indeed, with a stronger, our clients focus and structured training, were able to maximise their potential and achieve success! Keep it up! MINDS Woodlands Employment Employment MINDS Woodlands Centre! Development The adage by Roy T. Bennett that goes “Do not Bennett Roy T. The adage by rather fear not trying”,fear failure but was what staff at MINDS going, kept – and still keeps – the their comfortas they push our clients beyond zone potential. in order to unlock their hidden Ms Yeap Qinyan has learnt Qinyan how to pack Ms Yeap Yeap uses a sachets in bags of five. Ms counting board to help her keep track of the number of sachets she needs to put in a packet. This helps clients to overcome the challenge of counting sequentially. Indeed, nothing could be more gratifying than seeing the effortsthe of & Development MINDS Jurong Training Centre (JTDC) training officers and staff come to fruition, when two JTDC clients opportunitythe given were work to Employment at MINDS Woodlands Development Centre (WEDC)! Thanks to the dedicated team at JTDC, Feng, two JTDC clients, Mr Kong Wei were able and Mr Shaun Sugan Kumar, to achieve this milestone. This was not accomplished overnight. the clients would have the ensure To necessary in order to skills required be hired, the JTDC staff realised that they needed to beef up work-readiness training for the clients. The Work Readiness Skills (WRS) unit at JTDC was born precisely for this purpose. at the unit comprised of four Training different working stations, where clients were trained to pack sachets, fold letters, paste stamps, as well as fold napkins, pack cutlery and dried goods New client Ms Crystal gets the opportunity to hone her skills by putting several bags of beans on the counting board before packing them in a larger bag. Ms Chin Peck Choo, who also happens to be one of the oldest clients at JTDC, busy packing disposable cutlery as part of her work readiness skills training. Experience 30 Mindspeak 33 The heart people of special voice

Athletes strut forwardAthletes confidently in their medals, reveling to receive they have again that the knowledge projects honor to the brought great the photographs, that they represent. In faces give the intensity in the athletes’ that now adornway to carefree smiles their countenances. that will send As they file to the coaches are that sanctums the to back them trainees and their respective projects, another reflect on yet volunteers alike successful Sports Day that will remain indelible in the memory amidst the another week, we ravages of time. In go again - all psyched up to prepare MINDS monumental next the for MYG event. About MINDS MYG Established as a subsidiary has since grown to become one of the oldest and volunteer wing of MINDS, MINDS MYG sessions for PWIDs (Persons with largest charitable projects in Singapore, focused on providing meaningful weekly each there are 11 different project groups situated island wide, run purely by volunteers Intellectual Disability). Presently, weekend, with each project group serving age groups and functions, ranging from children to beneficiaries of different adults, as well as those with low to high support needs. them at [email protected] For volunteers who may be interested to join MINDS MYG, please kindly contact MYG, please kindly contact them at For corporations, groups or institutions who wish to collaborate with MINDS [email protected] only by the sponsored Apple Juice, and sponsored Apple Juice, only by the resilience amount of inner a significant and determination. a jubilant voice “Gather at the track!” by now thick with slices across the air, MINDS MYG excitement, as the entire around the family files majestically representatives. track to cheer on their in the blink of an The races were over were extremely eye, as the runners trainees spurred by quick. In the stands, achieving mighty the sight of athletes to their feet and feats on the track leapt music, energetic to vigorously danced and bliss. a world of exhilaration in lost has built An atmosphere of expectation up like an impending snowstorm, as the event enters the prize-giving segment. In the atrium, with music hailing from a from atrium, with music hailing In the country that is in a state of war (Korea), the athletes prepare their bodies and minds for the impending clashes - with K-pop fitness. After which, their true talents emerge: the stability required dodgeball of bocce, the agility that demands, the accuracy brought forth exhibited teamwork the rounders, by footwork and the ball, in captain’s displayed at football - all of these were presented in full bloom under the ruthless blaze of the sun showering its blessings in a haze-less sky. Despite the relentless heat, our athletes valiantly played on - unfaltering - fueled Sports Day 2019 is no different. From the moment the projects’ flags started waving in the wind like waves crashing mercilessly on a shore buzzing anticipation, of electricity the with proudly proclaiming each project’s it was unique identity and individuality, event promises this year’s clear that again to be one that sets pulses racing heartsand was Central ITE pounding. again momentarily transformed from a peaceful hub of technical education to the site of the greatest battles in the everyMYG calendar MINDS year: waged not with guns and planes, but with fun and games!

Experience by Limonium Sua, MINDS MYG volunteer

and fun with A day of sports A day of sports MINDS MYG volunteer Limonium Sua recounts the energyMINDS MYG volunteer Limonium Sua recounts the and exhilaration shown by our MINDS clients at the MINDS MYG Sports Day 2019 on March 9. Leading up to Sports Day, clients would clients Sportsto up Leading Day, as they challenge be training tirelessly their limits. Of all the major events organised by none can MINDS MYG every year, compare with Sports Day in its capacity to rouse the dormant athlete inherent in every and to beneficiary and volunteer, push each participant to challenge the limits of sporting excellence. Sports Day is the culmination of the effort and spirit poured into every minute of preparation every- day this to up leading drop participants’the coats that sweat of glistening bodies a testament to their grit, endeavor and sacrifice. 32 34